The Prince

Ezekiel chapter 44 introduces an enigmatic figure known as "the prince". Except for chapter 47, this person appears in every remaining chapter of the book of Ezekiel. The identity of this prince is not known, though he appears to be an earthly representative of the Messiah, serving in the Temple during the Millenium. The prince is not the Messiah, as evidenced by many clues from Ezekiel. The prince would offer sacrifices for himself, which would be incompatible with the Christian understanding of a perfectly sinless Messiah. The prince would also have children, which Jesus did not. Finally, the prince would not be a priest, yet Jesus is our eternal high priest. So while he is someone of great importance and exalted position in the end times, he is not Messiah.

Interrestingly, Jews do not view these references to "the prince" as messianic either. However, both Christians and Jews agree that Ezekiel 37:24-28 is. This passage speaks of David as the future king. Christians see this fulfilled in Christ as a descendant of David through Mary. The Jews await an earthly, fully human, descendant of David, as they do not believe their Messiah will be divine.

Tomorrow's reading: Ez. 47-48:35, 29:21-30:19; 2Kings 25:27-30; Jer. 52:31-34