Ezekiel 45:9-12 – Be honest and just in our dealing.

Proper frame of mind and life are important if we are to offer acceptable worship to God. From Ezekiel 45:9 to Ezekiel 46:24 are regulations and instructions to help align one's life to be acceptable to God in worship. In Ezekiel 45:9-12 is the first of the regulations. Though they addressed the princes or leaders, they are also applicable to us.

In these verses, God makes known that He has had enough of the “princes’ violence and destruction” and urges them to “practice justice and righteousness.” He ordered them to stop “expropriation.” In other words, they must stop abusing their authority and stop to seize the property of the people for public use or benefit. The people's right to ownership must not be violated.

Princes, even priests had been guilty of being dishonest. And God abhors dishonest gains. He desires honesty, justice, and sound moral to be the standard of everyone in both worship and daily life.

Here princes are admonished to stop using questionable means and tools to abuse, cheat, and take advantage of the people. Weight and scales and proper standard of measurement must be used to avoid dishonesty. Hence those in leadership position are expected to use accurate scales and right measurement to ensure that the people are not cheated. Deceit and injustice are repulsive to God.

A close reflection will help us see that the principles of honesty and justice also apply to us. Our actions reflect our character. If we are to offer acceptable worship to God, our character matters. Honesty in our dealing is important.

Being always precedes doing. Personal integrity is important. What we do and how we do it are often determined by our character. To say that we honour God yet live a life devoid of sound moral compass is incongruent. When we come before God in worship, we don’t want any guilt or unconscionable practice to affect our coming. We must worship God in spirit and in truth meaning an honest and sincere attitude. Psalm 32:2 tells us that blessed is the man “in whose spirit there is no deceit.”