Post by Lee on Oct 15, 2014 0:47:17 GMT
Chs. 40-48 came 13 years later, in the 25th year of captivity. Ezekiel was now 50, if the '30th year' of 1:1 is his age, as seems likely. He has now been prophesying for 20 years. God had said thru him—"I will set MY SANCTUARY in the midst of them for ever more" (37:26).
Isaiah had said that the 'mountain of the Lord's House should be established at Jerusalem, & all nations should go there to learn God's ways 2:23, & that there should be a 'House of Prayer for All Nations'56:7. And Zechariah was later to say, when the captives returned under Zerubbabel, that the nations should go up yearly to worship the Lord and keep the Feast of Tabernacles at Jerusalem 14:16.
In his final chapters, Ezekiel is shown a huge building—a Temple that had the appearance of the 'frame of a city,' in the midst of a 'Holy Oblation' of land about 45 miles square in the midst of Palestine. To this huge structure—apparently a magnificent open framework of masonry and arches densely covered by living greenery, and in the open center of which is a great elevated Altar — Ezekiel sees 43:2 God's glory returning, and: "The Glory of the Lord filled the House" (v. 5). And to him God said (v.7)- "Son of Man, the place of My throne, 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." The whole purpose is summed up in 44:23— "They shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane; and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean"
This is the whole purpose of life and learning. There is unclean, and death; and there is clean, and life. True knowledge consists of knowing the difference; true wisdom consists of choosing the clean. Everything falls into one category or the other. God tells Ezekiel to show Israel the pattern of the House, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities 43:10. How would it make them ashamed? How would it make us ashamed? By its glory and greatness and goodness. It is a beautiful center of goodness and joy and mercy and forgiveness, & of learning to choose the good and eschew the evil. It is a glorious provision and manifestation of God's love and care for Israel and the world. It is such a wonderful contrast to man's present evil condition and ways. It is the heart of the Divine Promise and Purpose from the beginning that 'all nations of the earth shall be blessed' Gen 12:3, and 'all the earth shall be full of the Glory of God Nm.14:21.
The old Temple was gone. It had been desecrated beyond the possibility of redemption. It had been filled with blood and corruption. But in a new day to come, there would be a new House of Prayer, far more spacious and splendid, not just for Israel but for the whole world—the center of an earth at rest in holiness and peace. And, best of all, the name of the City from that day and forward shall be: "THE LORD IS THERE!' -G.V.G.
1978 Berean
Isaiah had said that the 'mountain of the Lord's House should be established at Jerusalem, & all nations should go there to learn God's ways 2:23, & that there should be a 'House of Prayer for All Nations'56:7. And Zechariah was later to say, when the captives returned under Zerubbabel, that the nations should go up yearly to worship the Lord and keep the Feast of Tabernacles at Jerusalem 14:16.
In his final chapters, Ezekiel is shown a huge building—a Temple that had the appearance of the 'frame of a city,' in the midst of a 'Holy Oblation' of land about 45 miles square in the midst of Palestine. To this huge structure—apparently a magnificent open framework of masonry and arches densely covered by living greenery, and in the open center of which is a great elevated Altar — Ezekiel sees 43:2 God's glory returning, and: "The Glory of the Lord filled the House" (v. 5). And to him God said (v.7)- "Son of Man, the place of My throne, 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." The whole purpose is summed up in 44:23— "They shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane; and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean"
This is the whole purpose of life and learning. There is unclean, and death; and there is clean, and life. True knowledge consists of knowing the difference; true wisdom consists of choosing the clean. Everything falls into one category or the other. God tells Ezekiel to show Israel the pattern of the House, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities 43:10. How would it make them ashamed? How would it make us ashamed? By its glory and greatness and goodness. It is a beautiful center of goodness and joy and mercy and forgiveness, & of learning to choose the good and eschew the evil. It is a glorious provision and manifestation of God's love and care for Israel and the world. It is such a wonderful contrast to man's present evil condition and ways. It is the heart of the Divine Promise and Purpose from the beginning that 'all nations of the earth shall be blessed' Gen 12:3, and 'all the earth shall be full of the Glory of God Nm.14:21.
The old Temple was gone. It had been desecrated beyond the possibility of redemption. It had been filled with blood and corruption. But in a new day to come, there would be a new House of Prayer, far more spacious and splendid, not just for Israel but for the whole world—the center of an earth at rest in holiness and peace. And, best of all, the name of the City from that day and forward shall be: "THE LORD IS THERE!' -G.V.G.
1978 Berean