Ezekiel 43
-Ezekiel is now lead to the gate of the city facing towards
the east where he sees the Glory of Israel coming from the way of the east.
“His Voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His
glory (Ezekiel 43:1-2).” The Being was like the appearance of the vision which
he had previously seen in his encounters with the Living God, like the vision
of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 8-9) and the visions which
he saw by the river Chebar (Ezekiel 1, 3). Ezekiel fell on his face when this
occurred (Ezekiel 43:3). Now the glory of the LORD came into this city of God
by the way of the gate which was facing east. The Spirit lifted the prophet up
and brought him into the inner court, “and behold, the glory of the LORD filled
the house (Ezekiel 43:4-5).” Then Ezekiel heard One speaking to him from the house,
while a man was standing beside him (assumed to be the angel of the
measurements). The Voice told him that this was the place of His throne and the
place of the soles of His feet, where He will dwell among the sons of Israel
forever. At that time they will never again defile His holy Name, neither they
the people nor their kings (Ezekiel 43:6-7). Their harlotry and despicable
ways, which consumed them in the time of Ezekiel, would be forgiven and true
union would be restored (Ezekiel 43:8-9). As for Ezekiel, he was to describe
the Temple of the Kingdom to the house of Israel for the purpose of them being
ashamed of their atrocities against Him to give them the opportunity for
turning back to Him and His holiness. The Law of the house must be kept in holiness
(Ezekiel 4310-12).
-Next, Ezekiel give the measurements of the altar of
sacrifice by cubits with the steps facing east, toward the way of the King
(Ezekiel 43:13-17). The statutes of the offerings unto the LORD are then
elucidated in the following section (Ezekiel 43:18-27). God’s acceptance is
conditional upon His requirements here as a fulfillment of the people’s love
for Him over anything else. The themes of purity and peace resonate through the
text in a placid taste of future reconciliation.
-*Application* Have you had the glory of the LORD enter into
your personal temple, that being your being (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 2
Corinthians 6:16). Christ wants to fill you and purify you in the same way that
He is coming back to His abode in the New Jerusalem. Repent and make
preparations. Prepare ye the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 4:4-6
Matthew 3:1-3, Luke 1:17; 3:3-6)!
Verses to Memorize:
Ezekiel 43:2, 5
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