Definition: And when these days are expired, it shall be, [that] upon the eighth day, and [so] forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 43:27. It’s a really significant and important passage about God’s relationship with Israel and their offering of worship. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is saying that after a period of time, He will officially accept the people back into His presence through a renewed covenant – a new agreement with them. It’s a moment of reconciliation and restoration. Let's unpack it word by word: “And when these days are expired…” - This means it’s finished; it’s nearing its end. The “days” refer to a specific period, likely a time of testing or difficulty. “…it shall be, [that] upon the eighth day, and so forward…” – This is where it gets interesting. The eighth day after the previous days is when God’s covenant will be formally restored. "So forward" means it's going to happen in the future. "...the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar..." - The priests, who were responsible for offering sacrifices to God, are now being called back into service. They’ll be making new offerings – specifically, burning them on an altar. "...and your peace offerings; and I will accept you…” - This refers to other kinds of offerings, likely made by the people, that would also be accepted. It's a symbolic offering of peace and goodwill. “I will accept you” is a very important part – it means God is ready to forgive them and return to a relationship with them. Putting it all together: God isn’t just saying this in the future. He’s actively promising to accept the people back into His presence after a certain period of time, specifically on a specific day (the eighth day). It's a symbolic promise of forgiveness and reconciliation. It's a way for God to demonstrate his love and desire to restore a broken relationship with his people. Important Context: This verse is often seen as part of the greater story of Israel’s covenant with God, which involves trials and periods of separation. It represents God’s willingness to forgive and welcome them back after a time of testing. In short, this verse is a declaration of God’s renewed commitment to his people and offers a pathway towards reconciliation and restoration. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the passage? Discuss what it might mean in terms of Israel's history? Give an example of what “burnt offerings” or "peace offerings" could be?