Chapter Summary

Worship of the prince and people, and the offerings.

Discussion Questions for Ezekiel, Chapter 46

1. Based on your reading of chapter 46 (along with the previous chapters), describe the responsibilities of the prince. Do you have a pastor or some other religious leader in your life that helps point you to God? If not, how can you seek one out?
2. “This is what the Sovereign Lord says” (NIV) marks the beginning of 2 of the major sections of this chapter. Even as the author goes into more minute details regarding the activities to be carried out at the temple, he reminds them that God is the one who has ordained it as so. In your life today, do you tend to concentrate on following some of God’s Word, but in some of the “minor details” you don’t put so much emphasis? In other words, based on how you are living your life, would you say that you hold equal importance to the full counsel of God?
3. Every single day a lamb was to be sacrificed (see v. 13). Do you think that this is going a bit far with the sacrifices? Why so many and so often? What would you say to someone who says that the God of the Old Testament is totally different than the God of the New Testament?
4. God intends that “none of my people will be separated from his property.” (v. 18, NIV). How was this a comfort to those living in exile? In what areas of your life do you tend to get anxious about and forget that God is in control of it?
5. In this chapter God gives specific instructions on how the people are to approach and worship him. What would you say to someone that says that they can approach God any way that seems right?
6. The three main offices appointed by God in Old Testament times were prophet, king, and priest. In Ezekiel’s vision of the temple we see activity from the priests and from the royal household, but we do not see specific instructions for the prophets. Why do you think there are no prophets in Ezekiel’s temple? (To help with your answer, research what the main purpose of the prophets was).
7. In verses 7 and 11 it states that on certain days and festivals, one is required to give as much as he is able. How do you think they determined how much they were able to give? How do you determine how much you are able to give?
8. In this chapter we see that the prince brings forth sacrifices on behalf of the people (verses 4-9), but he is also to participate in worship alongside the people (verse 10). What can you learn from leadership in this example?
9. In verse 9 God gives specific instructions that say during appointed feasts, people cannot leave the temple area through the same gate which they came in. Does this sound odd to you? Think of some reasons why God may have given these orders.
10. In verse 9 it says that the people go to the temple to “come before the Lord.” (NIV). What does it mean to come before the Lord? Do most Christians go to church with the mindset that they are coming before the Lord? Do you?

Key Words/Phrase

Offerings, v. 4.

Characters

God, Ezekiel, prince.

Strong Verse(s)