Chapter Summary

Jehovah's portion of the land and the prince's portion.

Discussion Questions for Ezekiel, Chapter 45

1. What are the benefits of having the priests live close to the temple? Do you think you can make it easier for you to follow God if you changed some of your routine?
2. What is the measurement of land given to the priests (vv. 3-5) and what is the measurement of the land for the city (v. 6)? Why do you think these dimensions were given? (If your version gives the units in something like “cubits” or “reeds,” try to convert them to units you are familiar with such as feet.) Are you satisfied with what God has given you? Why or why not?
3. Why is the prince given land adjacent to both the sacred section and the section for the city? Share about a time when you were living in hypocricy, living one way in front of Christians, but another when with other people.
4. The princes belong to whom? (see v.8) Would rulers today rule differently if they knew they ruled on behalf of God and not merely for their subjects? Why?
5. From this chapter, what conclusion can you make about the ways in which the princes had been oppressing the people? Think of a time when your sin did more damage than you imagined and share it with the group.
6. The princes are to be just in their business dealings. In what ways do you see injustice in the workplace today? How can you remain pure in the way you do business?
7. How do the offerings provide atonement? (If you are unfamiliar with the word “atonement” do some research on it.) How does being atoned afect the way you live?
8. What is the role of the general public, the princes, the priests, and God himself in the process of purifying sins? Are you trusting in yourself to win God's favor? In what ways?
9. How many times per year are the Israelites to observe a special 7-day period of sacrifices? How did it make the Israelites in captivity feel when they heard they will be able to resume their religious festivals upon returning to the land? Share a time when you were unable to go to church for a while and how you felt when you were able to go again.
10. The purpose of the religious festivals was for the Israelites to be purified from their sins. How are the Christian holidays the same or different? Is it hard for you to concentrate on the meaning of the holidays?

Key Words/Phrase

Portion of land, v. 1.

Characters

God, Ezekiel, prince.

Strong Verse(s)