I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Ezekiel 44-45.

As has been the case for most of Ezekiel’s description of the rebuilt Temple and now of the worship practices of restored Israel, I struggle with what to make of today’s passage.  I was however struck by the instructions regarding the priests.  They were to be supported by the offerings of the people, but they were not to have any property or land.  I think That this fits in well with what Paul writes regarding the support of those who manage and oversee the Church.  Those whom God has called to care for the spiritual well-being of His people should not profit from that calling, but should nevertheless be well-cared for by God’s people.

In a similar fashion, Ezekiel had strong words for the secular leaders of God’s people.  While those leaders were entitled to collect taxes from the people for their own well-being, they were not to abuse their position to take advantage of people.  They were to obtain wealth honestly, not by using their position to dispossess people and not by cheating in their dealings.  We see the sort of thing Ezekiel was crying out against in the fact that many government officials today become extremely wealthy while only earning a modest income.  Some of those government officials may have gained their wealth honestly, but the fact that practically all of them become wealthy suggests that many of them are abusing their position of trust.