Today … one more Lesson from Ezekiel 46, this being the fourth in a row! (I would have never thought so, not even a week ago, when I first read this chapter in preparation for this Series of Articles.)

Remembering that the “prince” (mentioned 8 times in Ezekiel 46, more than in any other chapter in the whole Book) is some sort of good, governmental leader … verses 16 and 17 give us an interesting “rule” concerning “family status,” not only in ancient Israel, but the future earth, during the Millennium.

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his SONS, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons’; it shall be their possession by inheritance. But if he give a gift of his inheritance to one of his SERVANTS, then it shall be his to the year of liberty; after (that) it shall return to the prince. But his inheritance shall be his sons’ for them.” Ezekiel 46:16-17

Here’s the “gist” of this law. (Remember how Ezekiel is FULL of legislation, much like the Book of Exodus, or even the whole Pentateuch. And that in well over a dozen ways Ezekiel seems to be much like Moses!)

If the prince gives something to one of his servants … the “gift” is “temporary!” A servant can never possess anything more than forty-nine years and eleven months or so. (Because the year of liberty occurred every fifty years, also called the year of jubilee in Scripture. And when that year arrived … all “gifted” things returned to their original owner!)

So favors (gifts) for slaves are to be relatively short lived, certainly not permanent! They ultimately revert to the prince’s ownership … because in time … those sons inherit it all!

Yes … to a son, it’s different! “If the prince give a gift unto any of his SONS, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons’. Perpetually!

Wow!

That’s why I entitled today’s little lesson … “The Privileges of Sonship!”

Now to apply this spiritually.

I once was a slave … to sin.

I now am set free (via redemption) by the Blood of Jesus Christ!

And I have been “adopted” into His Family, the Family of God!

That makes me a “son” of God, through my relationship with Jesus.

I have/enjoy things (“gifts” innumerable) now (having been made an heir of God, a joint-heir with Jesus Christ) forevermore!

First John 3:1 captures this truth well, expressing it like this: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the SONS of God.”

Wow!

Ladies (who are saved) … you are “in” too!

“Sons” and “Daughters” of God, His little “Children!”

First John 3:2 may even be better: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

Eternity!

What “gifts” He bestows … forever!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell