Eze 42:13 Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they be holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the LORD shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place is holy.

This chapter furnishes a brief account of the priests’ chambers in the outer court. The prophet is introduced to certain chambers known as holy chambers. The holy chambers were rooms specifically for the use of the priests who ministered to the temple worship.                       

Today, we shall focus on these holy chambers, or the priests’ rooms and what we can learn from them which is found in verse 13 and 14: 

Eze 42:13  Then he said to me, "The north chambers and the south chambers opposite the yard are the holy chambers, where the priests who approach the LORD shall eat the most holy offerings. There they shall put the most holy offerings—the grain offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering—for the place is holy.

Eze 42:14  When the priests enter the Holy Place, they shall not go out of it into the outer court without laying there the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. They shall put on other garments before they go near to that which is for the people." 

Ezekiel tells us that the priests' chambers were specifically designed for two purposes: They were designed to be a place where the priests could eat the special "most holy" sacrifices, and where the priests could change into their holy garments before entering the inner court. 

Every preacher of God’s word needs a “holy chamber”. Just as the holy chamber served to allow the priests to eat the most holy thing in it, every preacher needs a “holy chamber” where he can meditate on God’s word, pray, and prepare his sermons for public worship. It’s unfortunate that we do not have proper offices for our preachers. Let's pray that one day we can rebuild this place and then we can build an office for each of them. 

Please note that the priests' rooms were "holy" because they were set aside for use in the work of the Lord. This should serve as an important reminder for us that we, too, need to have special "room" set aside for spending time with our Lord and Saviour. Every Christian needs a private place where he can meditate and pray. Christ says: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret” (Matthew 6:6). A closet is a private chamber where one can withdraw from the world and shut the world out and commune with God. Have a place for your private devotion where you will not be disturbed and distracted. One should never read his bible in front of the TV. 

The “holy chamber” will help us to build and maintain the vital relationship that God so longs to have with each of us. We cannot be fit for God's work without seeking the Lord in meditation and prayer! 

Ezekiel also mentioned that in the holy chamber, the priests would change into their holy garments before they entered the temple to perform the sacrifices. In the same way, we cannot enter the presence of God as we are. We, too, must prepare ourselves by eating the "most holy" sacrifice (meditation and prayer), and by properly attiring ourselves! 

Our worship is important to God. Let us prepare ourselves, souls and bodies, for worship.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.