Before closing this paper may we pause a bit to focus our attention upon several remarkable truths in Ezek. 44 that reveal God's valuation of worship as compared to service. Here we are reminded of Martha and Mary as related in the end of Luke 10. These truths refer especially to the most privileged ones that have to do with the Lord's place of worship in Jerusalem.
"Behold the glory of the Lord filled the house... the rebellious... have brought into My sanctuary to pollute it... all your abominations. And ye have not kept the charge of My holy things... The Levites shall be ministers...ministering to the house... to minister unto them... shall not come near to Me, to do the office of a priest unto Me, nor to come near to any of My holy things, in the most holy place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations... but I will make them keepers...for all the service.
"But the priests... that kept the charge... shall come near to Me to minister unto Me, and they shall stand before Me to offer unto Me... They shall enter into My sanctuary, and they shall come near to My table, to minister unto Me... They shall be clothed with linen garments... linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with anything that causeth sweat... Neither shall they suffer their locks to grow long... They shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean."
The worship offering—"the burnt offering"—is spoken of in verse 11.
Being becomingly clothed for God's presence is insisted upon, and fleshly energy, being not of the Holy Spirit, is forbidden.
"We are in danger of putting service in the place of the burnt offering" (J.N.D. Collected Writings, Vol 19, p. 517, Morrish Ed.)
"It is a mistake to read in the burnt offering our own devotedness" (W. K., The Offerings of Leviticus, p. 116).
A. C. B.
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