1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, [even] the gate that looketh toward the east:
2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice [was] like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
3 And [it was] according to 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 upon my face.
4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect [is] toward the east.
5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.
6 And I heard [him] speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.
7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, [neither] they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.
8 In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.
9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.
10 Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.
11 And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write [it] in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.
12 This [is] the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about [shall be] most holy. Behold, this [is] the law of the house.
13 And these [are] the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit [is] a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom [shall be] a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about [shall be] a span: and this [shall be] the higher place of the altar.
14 And from the bottom [upon] the ground [even] to the lower settle [shall be] two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle [even] to the greater settle [shall be] four cubits, and the breadth [one] cubit.
15 So the altar [shall be] four cubits; and from the altar and upward [shall be] four horns.
16 And the altar [shall be] twelve [cubits] long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof.
17 And the settle [shall be] fourteen [cubits] long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it [shall be] half a cubit; and the bottom thereof [shall be] a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.
18 And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These [are] the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
19 And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.
20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put [it] on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
21 Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.
22 And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse [it] with the bullock.
23 When thou hast made an end of cleansing [it], thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.
24 And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD.
25 Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat [for] a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.
26 Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.
27 And when these days are expired, it shall be, [that] upon the eighth day, and [so] forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.
Overview of Ezekiel Chapter 43
Ezekiel Chapter 43 describes a vision of the glory of the Lord returning to the temple in Jerusalem. This chapter emphasizes the significance of God’s presence among His people and the restoration of worship practices. It serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of Ezekiel, highlighting themes of holiness, restoration, and divine presence.
Key Themes
- The Return of God’s Glory: The chapter opens with the return of God’s glory to the temple, symbolizing His renewed relationship with Israel.
- Holiness of the Temple: The emphasis on the temple’s holiness underscores the need for purity in worship and the seriousness of sin.
- Restoration of Worship: The chapter outlines the restoration of proper worship practices, indicating a new beginning for the Israelites.
Verse-by-Verse Analysis
- Verses 1-5: The Vision of God’s Glory
- Verses 6-9: God’s Voice and the Need for Purity
- Verses 10-12: The Blueprint of the Temple
- Verses 13-17: The Altar Measurements
- Verses 18-27: Instructions for Sacrifices and Offerings
In these verses, Ezekiel describes how he sees the glory of the Lord coming from the east. The imagery of the east is significant as it often symbolizes new beginnings. The glory of the Lord fills the temple, indicating His presence and approval.
God speaks to Ezekiel, emphasizing the importance of the temple as a dwelling place. The call for Israel to put away their abominations highlights the necessity for repentance and purification before God can dwell among them.
Ezekiel is instructed to describe the temple to the people of Israel. The detailed description serves not only as a physical blueprint but also as a spiritual reminder of the holiness required in worship. The temple is to be a place of reverence and sanctity.
These verses provide specific measurements for the altar, symbolizing the importance of precise worship practices. The altar represents the means of atonement and the relationship between God and His people.
God gives detailed instructions regarding the sacrifices that are to be made at the altar. This section emphasizes the need for proper worship and the role of sacrifices in maintaining a relationship with God. The consecration of the altar signifies the seriousness of worship and the commitment required from the people.
Theological Implications
This chapter has profound theological implications regarding God’s relationship with humanity. It illustrates the concept of God’s holiness and the need for humanity to approach Him with reverence and purity. The return of God’s glory signifies hope for the Israelites, indicating that despite their past transgressions, there is an opportunity for restoration and renewal.
Conclusion
Ezekiel Chapter 43 serves as a critical reminder of the importance of God’s presence in the lives of His people. It calls for a return to holiness and proper worship, establishing a framework for understanding the relationship between God and Israel. The chapter encapsulates the themes of restoration, divine presence, and the seriousness of worship, making it a significant part of the prophetic message in the book of Ezekiel.
