Ezekiel: For His Gloryഉദാഹരണം

Yahweh’s return to the temple is the highlight of chapters 43–46. For God’s people, it was both a message of assurance and a word of challenge. 

In the first part of this chapter (vv. 1–12) God’s glory returns. The departure was slow and halting (Ezek. 10), but the return is rapid and direct (vv. 1–5). The glory of God fills not only the temple (e.g. 1 Kgs. 8:10–11) but also the whole earth (v. 2). Ezekiel’s response is the same as before: worship (v. 3). Then God makes a momentous announcement of assurance: as the King, He will live with His people forever with the temple as His royal palace (vv. 7–9). But the divine King’s presence requires a change in behavior in the:  

• Worship of dead kings (vv. 7, 9). 
• Kings’ encroachment into sacred space (v. 8). 
• Detestable practices (v. 8). 

The challenge for the people is to remove these abuses of the past. 

Ezekiel is then to describe the temple to the people (vv. 10–11). Grasping the perfect proportions of the temple and especially the restriction of access will lead the people to feel ashamed of their past actions. This shame will then allow the people to follow the path of the prophet. In such humility, the people will recognize that restoration was by God’s grace alone. This instruction of the temple (v. 12) then continues into the next section. 

The second part of the chapter describes God’s provision for maintaining holiness (vv. 13–27). The altar is central to this (vv. 13–17). Before it is to be used, it must be purified and Israel’s past sins cleansed (vv. 18–27). The burnt offerings are to be wholly given to God while the fellowship/ peace offerings will have a communal element. Once more the wonderful assurance for God’s people is that they will be acceptable to Him again (v. 27). God desires fellowship with His people; His grace provides the way for them to return to Him.

Reflection

Praise God that we’re accepted by Him because of the sacrifice and blood of Jesus. We have the assurance of access to God (Heb. 10:19– 22), so through Jesus let’s continually offer up to Him a sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15).