Main Idea: God will dwell with and restore His people.
A Look at the Text:
As we saw yesterday, there is a major shift near the end of Ezekiel’s book. Not only is a restored Israel in view, but specifically a restored temple. The Lord visited Ezekiel fourteen years after Jerusalem was sacked and gave him a vision of a restored Jerusalem with a rebuilt temple (Ezek. 40:1).
The exact nature of this temple is debated by scholars.
Some believe that it was to be a reconstructed version of Solomon’s temple that the returning exiles didn’t bring to pass, some believe the temple is figurative, while others believe that this temple is literal and yet to come, likely being constructed during the millennium.[1]
With the incredibly detailed nature of the vision, especially considering the measurements that are repeatedly given, it seems a future, literal temple is in view.
That said, historically, Ezekiel was living in Babylon along with the rest of the Judean exiles. Yet He saw by the Spirit a new day when the temple would be rebuilt in great glory. He was greeted by a man with a bronze-like appearance who told him to communicate what he saw to the people of Israel (Ezek. 40:3-4). This vision would certainly bring them hope.
Ezekiel was brought into the sanctuary or great hall (Ezek. 41:1). The bronze man would measure the holy place (Ezek. 41:4) and reveal to Ezekiel a beautiful sanctuary. It was adorned with wood paneling on the interior (Ezek. 41:15-16), and cherubim and palm trees were carved into all the walls surrounding it (Ezek. 41:17-20).
Even more, this temple complex had living quarters nearby for the priests (Ezek. 42:1). These priests would appropriately handle their responsibilities, even disrobing from their holy clothes before going out amongst the people (Ezek. 42:13-14). Altogether, the complex was massive, 875 feet per side, square in shape, with walls to separate the holy from the common (Ezek. 42:20).
Bringing it Home:
After fourteen years of sitting in ashes, Ezekiel was shown a future day of reconstruction and blessing for Jerusalem and the great temple therein.
The temple theme in Scripture reveals to us God’s eagerness to dwell amongst His people. Although the highest heavens cannot fully contain Him (1 Kings 8:27), He still comes down to dwell amongst His creation. He dwelt with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He condescended to the point of camping in the wilderness with the Israelite travelers and led them by cloud and fire. He dwelt in Solomon’s temple, and ultimately, He made His dwelling here in Jesus Christ (John 1:14).
In the end, we have the hope of a future dwelling with God (Rev. 21:3) that will be so great a temple will no longer be necessary in the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22).
Yet along the way, God promises to dwell with us even in this sin-stained world. That is the testimony of the temple, and it was a hope for Judean exiles who were far from their homeland. God had not abandoned them forever—restoration would come.
Challenge:
Do I see the temple motif as mankind trying to reach God, or God willingly coming down to dwell with man?
[1] Charles H. Dyer, “Ezekiel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1303.