Ezekiel 43
Ezekiel 43 unfolds around the scene in which God’s glory returns to the newly presented temple seen in a vision. By delivering a message of hope and restoration to the exiled Israelites, it reveals the promise that God’s presence will be restored.
1verseAfterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looks toward the east.
2verseBehold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
3verseIt was like the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city; and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face.
4verseThe LORD’s glory came into the house by the way of the gate which faces toward the east.
5verseThe Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the LORD’s glory filled the house.
6verseI heard one speaking to me out of the house, and a man stood by me.
7verseHe said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever. The house of Israel will no more defile my holy name, neither they nor their kings, by their prostitution and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places;
8versein their setting of their threshold by my threshold and their door post beside my door post. There was a wall between me and them; and they have defiled my holy name by their abominations which they have committed. Therefore I have consumed them in my anger.
9verseNow let them put away their prostitution, and the dead bodies of their kings far from me. Then I will dwell among them forever.
10verse“You, son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.
11verseIf they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the form of the house, its fashion, its exits, its entrances, its structure, all its ordinances, all its forms, and all its laws; and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form of it, and all its ordinances, and do them.
12verse“This is the law of the house. On the top of the mountain the whole limit around it shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
13verse“These are the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit is a cubit and a hand width): the bottom shall be a cubit, and the width a cubit, and its border around its edge a span; and this shall be the base of the altar.
14verseFrom the bottom on the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits, and the width one cubit; and from the lesser ledge to the greater ledge shall be four cubits, and the width a cubit.
15verseThe upper altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar hearth and upward there shall be four horns.
16verseThe altar hearth shall be twelve cubits long by twelve wide, square in its four sides.
17verseThe ledge shall be fourteen cubits long by fourteen wide in its four sides; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and its bottom shall be a cubit around; and its steps shall look toward the east.”
18verseHe said to me, “Son of man, the Lord GOD says: ‘These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they make it, to offer burnt offerings on it, and to sprinkle blood on it.
19verseYou shall give to the Levitical priests who are of the offspring of Zadok, who are near to me, to minister to me,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘a young bull for a sin offering.
20verseYou shall take of its blood and put it on its four horns, and on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border all around. You shall cleanse it and make atonement for it that way.
21verseYou shall also take the bull of the sin offering, and it shall be burned in the appointed place of the house, outside of the sanctuary.
22verse“On the second day you shall offer a male goat without defect for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they cleansed it with the bull.
23verseWhen you have finished cleansing it, you shall offer a young bull without defect and a ram out of the flock without defect.
24verseYou shall bring them near to the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt on them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering to the LORD.
25verse“Seven days you shall prepare every day a goat for a sin offering. They shall also prepare a young bull and a ram out of the flock, without defect.
26verseSeven days shall they make atonement for the altar and purify it. So shall they consecrate it.
27verseWhen they have accomplished the days, it shall be that on the eighth day and onward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings on the altar and your peace offerings. Then I will accept you,’ says the Lord GOD.”
Flow and Structure of the Passage
- Verses 1-5: Ezekiel witnesses a vision in which God’s glory enters the temple from the east. It is the scene in which God’s glory, which had departed from the temple in the past, returns again and fills the sanctuary.
- Verses 6-9: God speaks directly to Ezekiel. God declares that Israel can no longer defile his sanctuary through idolatry and wrongdoing. It emphasizes that this temple will become the place of God’s presence.
- Verses 10-12: Ezekiel explains the temple’s structure and regulations to the people in detail, and he encourages them to repent, feeling ashamed. It highlights the importance of keeping the temple’s laws and ordinances.
- Verses 13-27: Specific instructions are given regarding the altar’s measurements and form, as well as the procedures for dedicating the altar. Through these steps, you can confirm the process of God’s holiness and the preparation for fellowship with him.
The Overall Meaning
Ezekiel 43 contains the gracious message that God’s presence will be restored, and that he wants to be with his people again. The sight of God returning symbolizes forgiveness and a new beginning, and through the altar and worship regulations, the importance of holiness and obedience is emphasized. In the place where God’s presence has been restored, Israel is equipped with new principles and attitudes for life.
Points for Reflection
- What does it mean for God’s glory to be restored, and how am I experiencing God’s presence in my life?
- From God’s request to keep the temple pure, I can reflect on the spiritual purity and restoration that I and our community should pursue.
Apply to My Life
- I can believe that God’s presence is at the center of my life, and develop a desire to practice holiness and obedience in everyday life.
- I check what I should give up and what attitude I should take on anew in order to restore my relationship with God.