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Ezekiel 43:25 What is animal sacrifice doing in the new temple? Day 283

Good morning friends,

Are you ready for a dive into the deep end of the theological pool? The fact that Calvin did not comment on this makes me hesitant to even look at it.  But I think we can come to a reasonable tentative conclusion.

Blessings,

Jeff 

This is a difficult passage if this new temple is the same as the one described in Revelation.  The continuation of the sacrificial system after the crucifixion is not consistent with the fulfillment of that system.  How are we to understand this? Here are some commentaries

Reformaton Study Bible - 43:21. outside. See Ex 29:14; Lev 4:12, Lev 4:21; Lev 8:17; Lev 9:11; Lev 16:27. The writer of Hebrews interprets these instructions as an aspect of Christ’s offering of Himself (Heb 13:11-13). Ezekiel 43:21

43:18–27 

ESV Study Bible notes - This section describes the rituals of purification required for the altar before it is fit for regular use. Although the preceding verses have focused on the altar's design, its actual material required consecration for use in the sacred realm. This also explains why the ritual focuses on the application of the blood to the altar rather than on the sacrifice itself. The first day's sacrifice is described in detail in vv. 18–21 when a single bull is offered by the Zadokite priests. Less detail, but more sacrifice on day two (vv. 22–24) sets the pattern for the succeeding days until the seven days (vv. 25–26) of the consecration are complete. Once again a link is forged to Moses and the tabernacle, as a similar pattern is found in Ex. 29:36b–37. This sacred “isolation” of the altar addresses the abomination condemned in Ezek. 43:8. Ezekiel 43:18

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown

18-27. The sacrifices here are not mere commemorative, but propitiatory ones. The expressions, "blood" (Eze 43:18), and "for a sin offering (Eze 43:19, 21, 22), prove this. In the literal sense they can only apply to the second temple. Under the Christian dispensation they would directly oppose the doctrine taught in Heb 10:1-18, namely, that Christ has by one offering for ever atoned for sin. However, it is possible that they might exist with a retrospective reference to Christ's sufferings, as the Levitical sacrifices had a prospective reference to them; not propitiatory in themselves, but memorials to keep up the remembrance of His propitiatory sufferings, which form the foundation of His kingdom, lest they should be lost sight of in the glory of that kingdom [DE BURGH]. The particularity of the directions make it unlikely that they are to be understood in a merely vague spiritual sense. Ezekiel 43:18

So none of these give a definitive answer.  Calvin does not comment on this passage.  However, the JFB conclusion that a merely vague spiritual sense is not the answer.  Due to the details they all see this as real sacrifices.  The JFB perspective of being retrospective (looking back at the cross) just as the Levitical sacrifices were prospective (looking forward to the cross) makes a lot of sense to me. The distinction between "merely  commemorative" and "propitiatory" These sacrifices really appease (propitiation) God's wrath.

As I think about this, it seems that Ezekiel is writing about a future temple and how it is to be set apart in terms that the Israel in his day would understand without referring to the cross which is also in the future. 

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