The Prince and the Priests

Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 44:1-31.

For the first time in his vision of the new temple, Ezekiel hears of the role of the prince. He is granted special access to sit and eat before the LORD. Even though the prince has a royal title, his main responsibilities revolve around the worship of God’s people. His duties point forward to Jesus, in whom the offices of King and Priest are combined and fulfilled. Ezekiel then sees who cannot enter the temple. Those uncircumcised in heart and flesh, that is, those who are unbelievers, cannot enter. Ezekiel also sees the roles for unfaithful and faithful Levites. The unfaithful Levites still had priestly duties, fulfilled in Caiaphas’ unwitting prophecy concerning Jesus. The faithful Levites were the sons of Zadok. Their keeping of certain purity laws pointed forward to Christ as the One who makes sinners holy and clean.

“The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ezekiel. Just when Ezekiel should have begun his service as priest in the temple in Jerusalem, the LORD called him to be a prophet in exile in Babylon. Through fantastic visions and attention-grabbing action prophecies, the prophet Ezekiel is a faithful watchman who proclaims the word of the LORD to bring people to repentance over their sins and to faith in the coming Savior, Jesus Christ, the glory of the LORD made flesh.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.