Ezekiel 41:4: “He measured the length, twenty cubits; and the width, twenty cubits, beyond the sanctuary; and he said to me, ‘This is the Most Holy Place.’”

October 4th, 2021 by Pastor Ed in devotional

God was giving Ezekiel such detailed construction measurements of the future temple that they could actually be used as building plans. The measurements found here of the Holy of Holies are identical to those of Solomon’s temple described in 1 Kings 6:20. The Holy of Holies was the room the high priest entered only on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), when he would once a year “make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins” (Lev. 16:34).

Two goats were used for a sin offering. One was sacrificed to the Lord and its blood sprinkled on the horns of the altar outside the temple and on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Holy of Holies. The other was used as a scapegoat. The high priest laid his hands on the goat’s head and confessed the people’s sins. The goat, bearing the people’s sins, was then taken alive into the wilderness and let go, illustrating that the people’s sins had been carried away.

Hebrews tells us that the law and sacrifices were “a shadow of the good things to come” and that “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sin” (Heb. 10:1,4). Which is why the priest had to sacrifice yearly to atone for the people’s sins. All of these things were pointing to and illustrating Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Our sins were laid on Him and He made atonement for them with His shed blood, accomplishing what the former sacrifices could not. And “this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:12). Jesus has completely paid the price for our sins, all we must do is believe and accept His perfect sacrifice.

“LORD, we are so grateful for Your forgiveness, which we accept has completely separated us from our sins this day.”