Definition: Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, [having] charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 44:11. It’s a really important passage about God’s plan for Israel after their exile in Babylon. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is saying: “After we leave Babylon and return to our land, we’re going to have a special team of people – the ‘ministers’ – who will be responsible for protecting and serving us.” Let’s unpack that a bit further: “Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary…” - "Sanctuary" means a holy place. God is establishing a dedicated space for us to worship and offer things to Him. It's like a special room or area where we can connect with Him directly. “[having] charge at the gates of the house…” – This means they’ll be stationed at the entrances to our temples (or places where we gather for worship). They’ll be watching and guarding us. “and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people…” - This is a key part! “Slay” means to destroy or eliminate. So, these ministers are responsible for destroying (or at least severely diminishing) offerings that were made to God in Babylon. This includes things like burnt sacrifices – gifts we offered to Him as a way of expressing our devotion and gratitude. They're taking away those offerings to show respect and reverence. “and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.” - They’ll be actively teaching and leading the people, offering guidance and instruction. They’ll be there to share God’s word and help us understand His will for our lives. In a nutshell: God is establishing a dedicated team of people – the ministers – who are charged with protecting and serving Israel after they've left Babylon. They need to be watchful, respectful, and actively involved in guiding and teaching us. Why is this important? This verse shows that God doesn’t just want to be present with us; He wants us to have a dedicated team to represent Him and guide our lives. It sets the stage for a new era of worship and responsibility! --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes?