45:1-7 The land allotted to the Temple was in the center of the nation. God is central to life. He must be our first priority.
45:9-12 Violence and oppression were two of the major social sins of the nation during this time (see Amos 5:10-13). In the new economy there would be plenty of land for the “prince” (45:7, 8) and no longer any basis for greed. Therefore, God commanded the princes and the people to do what was just and right, especially in their business dealings. Consider the ways that you measure goods, money, or services. If you are paid for an hour of work, be sure you work for a full hour. If you sell a bushel of apples, make sure it is a full bushel. God is completely trustworthy, and his followers should be, too.
45:17 The conditions and regulations for these offerings are described in detail in Leviticus 1–7.
45:21 The Passover was an annual seven-day feast instituted by God so that his people would remember when he brought them out of slavery in Egypt. On that first Passover night, the destroyer passed over the homes marked by lamb’s blood; he struck only the unmarked homes (see Exodus 11–12).
45:25 This annual feast celebrated in October is called the Feast of Tabernacles (or Feast of Ingathering). It commemorates God’s protection of his people as they traveled through the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land (see Leviticus 23:33-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-17).