Ezekiel 46 Devotional

A Prince Who Bows

“When the people enter, the prince shall go in with them, and when they leave, he shall leave.”Ezekiel 46:10 (BSB)

The prince of Ezekiel's vision is given a surprising role. On Sabbaths and New Moons the inner east gate is opened, and he bows in worship at its threshold while the priests offer his sacrifices (46:1-2). The people bow at the same entrance (46:3). At the appointed feasts he does not arrive in a separate procession. He enters and exits alongside the people (46:10). And he may not take anyone's land to enrich his own family, so that none of God's people are driven from their property (46:18).

This is power placed under God. The ruler is a worshiper first, standing among the people rather than over them, and his authority is limited to protect the weak. Jesus told his disciples that the rulers of the nations dominate their people, but that among his followers greatness means serving, because he himself came to serve and to give his life to ransom many (Mark 10:42-45). In his kingdom, the greatest are the ones who bow and serve.

To think about: Where do you hold some influence over others, and how could you use it today to serve them rather than to be served?