Ezekiel 45:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Previously, it has been stated what portion of both solid and liquid offerings is to be given to the prince; now the same principle applies to animal sacrifices: a ram must be offered from a flock of two hundred sheep cared for by Israel, as a sacrificial gift, a burnt offering, and a peace offering for the cleansing of the house of Israel, says the Lord God. Instead of "one," the Hebrew text uses "memmasce," which Aquila and Symmachus interpret as referring to "from the waters," while the Septuagint and Theodotion translate it as "from the watering places," indicating that the prince's flock should graze only in well-watered regions. As we noted earlier that a sixtieth part based on weight and measure is to be presented to the prince, it is now commanded that one out of every two hundred animals should be offered. The entire nation is required to adhere to these laws regarding offerings to the prince, who will provide burnt offerings, grain offerings, and libations for the people during all festivals, thus purifying the house of God. It is evident that just as the people need to offer burnt offerings to the prince, the prince must in turn make sacrifices for the people; this prince can only be understood in an allegorical sense as the Lord Savior. He is the one who selects a ram from two hundred animals, or as the Hebrew text particularly denotes, "bòσκημα," which can refer to all types of animals, not just a ram, and chooses one that has grazed in the fertile places, which represents the Scriptures. He might declare, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not lack for anything; He brings me to lush pastures; He leads me beside tranquil waters" (Psalm 22:1-2). These refreshing locations were where Jacob also led his flock to drink and reproduce, bearing fruit for the Lord according to the color of the branches (Genesis 30). The term "sacrificium," meaning "sacrifice," is translated by Aquila and Symmachus as "gift," which in the Hebrew is referred to as "manaa," indicating not merely animal sacrifices but offerings consisting of wheat flour, meal, and oil. Conversely, the burnt offering refers to that which is entirely devoted to God and consumed by the sacred fire. The peace offering symbolizes reconciliation with God, and as the apostle states, "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20), and elsewhere it is said, "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19). Moreover, this prince, to whom the initial animal offerings are made, is also a king, as indicated by the inscription above the cross in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. When the Jews pressed to remove this significant inscription, Pilate responded in front of the Gentile crowd, "What I have written, I have written" (John 19:22). Regarding the duties of the prince, it is said that they shall rest upon him. This serves as a poignant reminder to the priestly office of the responsibilities they must fulfill, as he must know to present sacrifices and libations made from wine for the people during all feasts, at the commencement of the month, and on the Sabbaths, in moments of transition from darkness to light and at the Sabbath's rest. He is tasked with offering sacrifices for sin and the cleansing of the house of Israel, which represents the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. For it is indeed the house of the living God, and the house of Israel that requires the purification of its sins.