One Day My Prince Will Come!
Prince - a ruler, a main ruler, a member of the highest aristocracy, the head of a principality, the son of a sovereign, a king.
This is a condensed version of the study God has laid on my heart for this month's Ladies' Night. Before moving on in this blog, please take a few moments and read through Ezekial 45:1 - 46:18. You will need your Bible close by for reference as you move through this study. If you don't have a Bible handy, try opening a new window and going to www.Biblos.com so you can read the Scripture as we go...otherwise, most of what I'm going to say won't make much sense. :o) I pray that through this study God's glory will be manifested and the name of Christ, our Prince, be glorified as I share what He has taught me in studying these verses. This study has been a huge blessing to me and I pray it will be for you as well. Please comment if you have any insight to share. I love and cherish every opportunity to learn from my brethren. :o)
Throughout this text in Ezekial, God paints a beautiful picture of Christ as the Prince. Before we dive in, I'd like to point out a few other places in the Scriptures where Jesus is called a Prince. In Isaiah 9:6, He is called the Prince of Peace. In Daniel 9:25, He is called Messiah the Prince. And, in Acts 3:15 He is called the Prince of Life. As we study through these verses in Ezekial, all the references to the Prince will gloriously point to Jesus Christ, the Perfect and Holy Provider of the all-sufficient sacrifice.
In 45:1-16, we see God's command to Israel to divide the land, allotting a specific portion for the Lord's sanctuary, specific portions to the Prince - which were to flank the holy portion on either side, and then individual portions to each tribe according to their inheritance. This notion of the Prince's portion flanking that of the sanctuary speaks to my heart of the way Christ surrounds and inhabits our worship. When we are gathered for worship, the body of Christ is assembled and He is there inhabiting our prayers and praises. After announcing that the Prince will have His portion, God declares that the worldly princes will no longer be able to oppress His people. He tells them He has had enough of their violence and destruction, and He calls them to righteousness and justice. (vs. 8-9) Then, the standard weights having been lost during the Chaldean's destruction of the temple, God commands that Israel once again adopt accurate measurement standards, not only to ensure fair trade, but so that their sacrifices to God will be measured properly and as commanded.
In 45:17, the Prince provides the sacrifice for Himself and for Israel's atonement. The theme of the Prince providing is prevalent throughout these two chapters, being mentioned 11 times! For whom did the Prince offer up a sacrifice? In what way did Jesus provide a sacrifice for Himself and for Israel? In other words, for whom did Jesus lay down His life? Well, typically we think of His sacrifice being sheerly for the elect and their redemption. However, Jesus laid down His life for more than just the elect of God. We learn in Isaiah 53:10-12 that He died for the Father, that through faithful obedience He might satisfy His wrath against sin in regard to the elect. In 1 Peter 3:18, we learn that Jesus died that He would, by His sacrifice, bring to the Father those He'd selected for redemption before the foundations of the world were laid. Phil. 2:9 and Heb. 10:12 show us that Jesus died for Himself, that He would receive the glory due His name and and be assigned that exalted place at the right hand of the Father in heaven. In Matt. 5:17, we see that Jesus died for the sake of the Word, for fulfillment of prophecy in both the Law and the Prophets. 1 Tim. 2:5-6, 1 John 2:1-2, and Rev. 5:9-10 teach that Jesus died for the elect, in order to purchase for God with His blood men from every tribe, tongue, people and nation.
Was there a difference between the offering Israel gave to the Prince in 45:13-16 and the offering the Prince gave for Israel in 45:17? Certainly there was. The people of Israel gave offerings to honor the Prince. This is not explicit in the text, but can be deduced from the context and the contrast made in v. 17 to the reasoning for the Prince's offering, which was for the atonement of Israel. The Prince was not in need of atonement, but was worthy of sacrifices. Today, we offer up sacrifices of praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God on a daily basis (which we will touch on again later), but we rest in the sacrifice of Christ, made once and for all that His people may be brought to God.
In 46:5, there is reference to the Prince giving "as much as He is able to give". This speaks to me of the depth and breadth of Jesus' sacrifice. Did He not give "as much as He was able to give"? Certainly He, the Creator of all that is, left behind the glory of heaven for a time, came to earth and put on flesh that He Himself knitted together inside the womb of His virgin mother. He walked on the sin-ridden earth for some 33 years, suffered unspeakable tortures and died a shameful and painful death on a Roman cross. Yes, I'd say He gave up "all He was able to give." Glory to Him who was slain but is risen!
What differences do we see, in 46:8-9, between the way the Prince enters/exits the sanctuary and the way Israel enters/exits the same? The Prince enters and exits by the same doorway. Jesus, because He is perfectly holy and unchanging, comes into the presence of His Father the same way He leaves, namely spotless and blameless. Israel, on the other hand, comes in one way and leaves another. The people of God come into His presence struggling with sin and focused on self, but leave changed, more like Christ, who's blood covers them and gives them passage into the King's court. The people of God are continually sanctified through communion with God, whether it be in fellowship with believers, study of the Scriptures, worship through prayer and supplication, or quiet meditation -- and therefore leave a different way than they entered. Glory be to God!
In 46:10, there is reference to the Prince dwelling among Israel as they come into the sanctuary for worship, and then going out with them as they leave. This certainly points to Christ as we know from Matthew 18:20 that when two or three are gathered in His name, He is there among them. We also know from Matthew 28:18-20 that He is with them as they leave the sanctuary and go out into the world to make disciples. He promised to be with them, even to the end of the age! Glory!
Israel was instructed in 46:13-14 to provide daily offerings, morning by morning, continually by perpetual ordinance. By God's mercy, according to Romans 12:1, we are to offer up our bodies as living sacrifices, which is our spiritual service of worship. We are also, in accordance with 1 Thess. 5:16-18, to continually rejoice, pray, and give thanks to God, for this is His will for us. Psalm 150 admonishes us to praise God in corporate worship and anywhere we are in creation, which is all the time! We are to praise Him for His might, His deeds, His greatness. We are to praise Him with all sorts of music and noises. Indeed everything that breathes is to praise God! Psalm 118 tells us to offer up the sacrifice of thanksgiving for God's lovingkindness, which is unending and unfathomable. And, Psalm 116:12-17 encourages us to respond to God's abundant grace toward us by lifting our cup and asking Him to give us more. Yes, we are to give many sacrifices to our God daily, morning by morning, continually.
The permanence of Christ's gift of salvation to the elect is referenced in 46:16 and 18 when Ezekial writes about the permanence of the Prince's gifts to Israel. When Jesus saves one of His own, they become a son of God and eternal life is their inheritance. Their inheritance is reserved in heaven and they themselves are protected by God's power to ensure they obtain their what has been promised to them. Some texts to support this can be found in Col. 1:12-13, Acts 20:32, 1 Peter 1:3-5.
Finally, in 46:17, there is reference to the fact that the Prince sometimes gives gifts to people who are His servants, yet not heirs. In these cases, the gifts have to be returned. There are examples in the Scriptures where God gives gifts to men that they may accomplish a purpose ordained by God. Once the purpose is fulfilled, the gifts are taken away. Two prominent examples are King Saul and Judas Iscariot. In 1 Sam. 10:9-11, King Saul's heart was changed so that he prophesied among the prophets, but later in 1 Sam. 16:14, the Spirit left Saul and he was tormented by an evil spirit from God for the rest of his life on earth. Judas Iscariot was chosen by Christ as an apostle, yet he was a devil all along according to John 6:70. God certainly gave Judas gifts as he walked with Jesus and the other apostles for several years preaching the gospel and probably even healing the sick. However, at the end, he proved his unfaithfulness, he betrayed the Son of Man, his gifts were given back, and his soul went to hell.
What are some of the life applications we can draw from this text for our daily walk with Christ?
1. We as the Israel of God are lead by the Prince who provided all sacrifice needed for our atonement. He indeed said, "It is finished." (John 19:30)
2. The Prince is among us when we gather to worship. The Prince declares what will and will not happen to His people.
3. The Prince sacrificed His life for the Father, for Himself, for the Word and its fulfillment, and for the elect and their redemption.
4. The Prince enters holy and leaves holy..He never changes. (Heb. 13:8)
5. Israel never leaves the presence of God the same way they entered. We as the people of God are changed by His presence and communion with Him.
6. We as Israel are to daily and continually offer up sacrifices to God and in honor of the Prince.
7. When God gives the gift of salvation to His people, they are then sons and guaranteed the inheritance of the saints. God never breaks His promises.
8. God sometimes gives gifts to pagans to accomplish His purposes. But, they are not heirs, so are not promised a portion of the inheritance. Therefore, their gifts will one day be given back to God.
9. One day, brothers and sisters in Christ, our Prince will come! How we long for that day when we can bow before Him face to face!
This is a condensed version of the study God has laid on my heart for this month's Ladies' Night. Before moving on in this blog, please take a few moments and read through Ezekial 45:1 - 46:18. You will need your Bible close by for reference as you move through this study. If you don't have a Bible handy, try opening a new window and going to www.Biblos.com so you can read the Scripture as we go...otherwise, most of what I'm going to say won't make much sense. :o) I pray that through this study God's glory will be manifested and the name of Christ, our Prince, be glorified as I share what He has taught me in studying these verses. This study has been a huge blessing to me and I pray it will be for you as well. Please comment if you have any insight to share. I love and cherish every opportunity to learn from my brethren. :o)
Throughout this text in Ezekial, God paints a beautiful picture of Christ as the Prince. Before we dive in, I'd like to point out a few other places in the Scriptures where Jesus is called a Prince. In Isaiah 9:6, He is called the Prince of Peace. In Daniel 9:25, He is called Messiah the Prince. And, in Acts 3:15 He is called the Prince of Life. As we study through these verses in Ezekial, all the references to the Prince will gloriously point to Jesus Christ, the Perfect and Holy Provider of the all-sufficient sacrifice.
In 45:1-16, we see God's command to Israel to divide the land, allotting a specific portion for the Lord's sanctuary, specific portions to the Prince - which were to flank the holy portion on either side, and then individual portions to each tribe according to their inheritance. This notion of the Prince's portion flanking that of the sanctuary speaks to my heart of the way Christ surrounds and inhabits our worship. When we are gathered for worship, the body of Christ is assembled and He is there inhabiting our prayers and praises. After announcing that the Prince will have His portion, God declares that the worldly princes will no longer be able to oppress His people. He tells them He has had enough of their violence and destruction, and He calls them to righteousness and justice. (vs. 8-9) Then, the standard weights having been lost during the Chaldean's destruction of the temple, God commands that Israel once again adopt accurate measurement standards, not only to ensure fair trade, but so that their sacrifices to God will be measured properly and as commanded.
In 45:17, the Prince provides the sacrifice for Himself and for Israel's atonement. The theme of the Prince providing is prevalent throughout these two chapters, being mentioned 11 times! For whom did the Prince offer up a sacrifice? In what way did Jesus provide a sacrifice for Himself and for Israel? In other words, for whom did Jesus lay down His life? Well, typically we think of His sacrifice being sheerly for the elect and their redemption. However, Jesus laid down His life for more than just the elect of God. We learn in Isaiah 53:10-12 that He died for the Father, that through faithful obedience He might satisfy His wrath against sin in regard to the elect. In 1 Peter 3:18, we learn that Jesus died that He would, by His sacrifice, bring to the Father those He'd selected for redemption before the foundations of the world were laid. Phil. 2:9 and Heb. 10:12 show us that Jesus died for Himself, that He would receive the glory due His name and and be assigned that exalted place at the right hand of the Father in heaven. In Matt. 5:17, we see that Jesus died for the sake of the Word, for fulfillment of prophecy in both the Law and the Prophets. 1 Tim. 2:5-6, 1 John 2:1-2, and Rev. 5:9-10 teach that Jesus died for the elect, in order to purchase for God with His blood men from every tribe, tongue, people and nation.
Was there a difference between the offering Israel gave to the Prince in 45:13-16 and the offering the Prince gave for Israel in 45:17? Certainly there was. The people of Israel gave offerings to honor the Prince. This is not explicit in the text, but can be deduced from the context and the contrast made in v. 17 to the reasoning for the Prince's offering, which was for the atonement of Israel. The Prince was not in need of atonement, but was worthy of sacrifices. Today, we offer up sacrifices of praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God on a daily basis (which we will touch on again later), but we rest in the sacrifice of Christ, made once and for all that His people may be brought to God.
In 46:5, there is reference to the Prince giving "as much as He is able to give". This speaks to me of the depth and breadth of Jesus' sacrifice. Did He not give "as much as He was able to give"? Certainly He, the Creator of all that is, left behind the glory of heaven for a time, came to earth and put on flesh that He Himself knitted together inside the womb of His virgin mother. He walked on the sin-ridden earth for some 33 years, suffered unspeakable tortures and died a shameful and painful death on a Roman cross. Yes, I'd say He gave up "all He was able to give." Glory to Him who was slain but is risen!
What differences do we see, in 46:8-9, between the way the Prince enters/exits the sanctuary and the way Israel enters/exits the same? The Prince enters and exits by the same doorway. Jesus, because He is perfectly holy and unchanging, comes into the presence of His Father the same way He leaves, namely spotless and blameless. Israel, on the other hand, comes in one way and leaves another. The people of God come into His presence struggling with sin and focused on self, but leave changed, more like Christ, who's blood covers them and gives them passage into the King's court. The people of God are continually sanctified through communion with God, whether it be in fellowship with believers, study of the Scriptures, worship through prayer and supplication, or quiet meditation -- and therefore leave a different way than they entered. Glory be to God!
In 46:10, there is reference to the Prince dwelling among Israel as they come into the sanctuary for worship, and then going out with them as they leave. This certainly points to Christ as we know from Matthew 18:20 that when two or three are gathered in His name, He is there among them. We also know from Matthew 28:18-20 that He is with them as they leave the sanctuary and go out into the world to make disciples. He promised to be with them, even to the end of the age! Glory!
Israel was instructed in 46:13-14 to provide daily offerings, morning by morning, continually by perpetual ordinance. By God's mercy, according to Romans 12:1, we are to offer up our bodies as living sacrifices, which is our spiritual service of worship. We are also, in accordance with 1 Thess. 5:16-18, to continually rejoice, pray, and give thanks to God, for this is His will for us. Psalm 150 admonishes us to praise God in corporate worship and anywhere we are in creation, which is all the time! We are to praise Him for His might, His deeds, His greatness. We are to praise Him with all sorts of music and noises. Indeed everything that breathes is to praise God! Psalm 118 tells us to offer up the sacrifice of thanksgiving for God's lovingkindness, which is unending and unfathomable. And, Psalm 116:12-17 encourages us to respond to God's abundant grace toward us by lifting our cup and asking Him to give us more. Yes, we are to give many sacrifices to our God daily, morning by morning, continually.
The permanence of Christ's gift of salvation to the elect is referenced in 46:16 and 18 when Ezekial writes about the permanence of the Prince's gifts to Israel. When Jesus saves one of His own, they become a son of God and eternal life is their inheritance. Their inheritance is reserved in heaven and they themselves are protected by God's power to ensure they obtain their what has been promised to them. Some texts to support this can be found in Col. 1:12-13, Acts 20:32, 1 Peter 1:3-5.
Finally, in 46:17, there is reference to the fact that the Prince sometimes gives gifts to people who are His servants, yet not heirs. In these cases, the gifts have to be returned. There are examples in the Scriptures where God gives gifts to men that they may accomplish a purpose ordained by God. Once the purpose is fulfilled, the gifts are taken away. Two prominent examples are King Saul and Judas Iscariot. In 1 Sam. 10:9-11, King Saul's heart was changed so that he prophesied among the prophets, but later in 1 Sam. 16:14, the Spirit left Saul and he was tormented by an evil spirit from God for the rest of his life on earth. Judas Iscariot was chosen by Christ as an apostle, yet he was a devil all along according to John 6:70. God certainly gave Judas gifts as he walked with Jesus and the other apostles for several years preaching the gospel and probably even healing the sick. However, at the end, he proved his unfaithfulness, he betrayed the Son of Man, his gifts were given back, and his soul went to hell.
What are some of the life applications we can draw from this text for our daily walk with Christ?
1. We as the Israel of God are lead by the Prince who provided all sacrifice needed for our atonement. He indeed said, "It is finished." (John 19:30)
2. The Prince is among us when we gather to worship. The Prince declares what will and will not happen to His people.
3. The Prince sacrificed His life for the Father, for Himself, for the Word and its fulfillment, and for the elect and their redemption.
4. The Prince enters holy and leaves holy..He never changes. (Heb. 13:8)
5. Israel never leaves the presence of God the same way they entered. We as the people of God are changed by His presence and communion with Him.
6. We as Israel are to daily and continually offer up sacrifices to God and in honor of the Prince.
7. When God gives the gift of salvation to His people, they are then sons and guaranteed the inheritance of the saints. God never breaks His promises.
8. God sometimes gives gifts to pagans to accomplish His purposes. But, they are not heirs, so are not promised a portion of the inheritance. Therefore, their gifts will one day be given back to God.
9. One day, brothers and sisters in Christ, our Prince will come! How we long for that day when we can bow before Him face to face!
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