Ezekiel 43
BBCEzekiel 43:1
B. The Millennial Worship (Chaps. 43, 44)43:1-5 Earlier in the Book of Ezekiel (Eze_11:23) we saw the glory cloud reluctantly leaving the temple at Jerusalem. But the glory of the God of Israel will return in the Person of the Lord Jesus when He comes to reign. 43:6-9 He will dwell . . . forever . . . in the midst of His people; no more will they practice spiritual harlotry (idolatry) and related abominations in the shadow of the temple. 43:10-12 When the House of Israel is ashamed of all that they have done, they will see the pattern, design, and arrangement of the new temple. As soon as they repent, God will give them new hope. (We should also react in this way when someone repents.) The people were to be told that the whole area surrounding the mountaintop on which the temple would be built would be most holy. A true sight of the glory of the Lord makes us ashamed of our iniquities (v. 10): ‘Tis the look that melted Peter, ‘Tis that face that Stephen saw, ‘Tis that heart that wept with Mary, Can alone from idols draw. Author unknown43:13-17 The measurements of the altar, apparently like a terraced platform, are given next. The altar hearth is the surface of the altar, where the fire is built. It will have four horns extending upward from the hearth. An unusual feature of this altar is the fact that it has steps leading up to it; this was banned in the previous temples. This one will be so high that it will need a way to mount up to the top. 43:18-27 Next is given the ritual to be followed in consecrating the altar by blood. This will take seven days, and its importance in Israel’s public worship can be seen in several OT texts: Exo_29:37; Lev_8:11, Lev_8:15, Lev_8:19, Lev_8:33; 1Ki_8:62-65; and 2Ch_7:4-10. After all these rites, on the eighth day, the regular offerings will begin. The chapter ends on an encouraging note: not only would God accept the people’s offerings, but, “I will accept you,” says the Lord GOD. Note that the priests in that day will be the sons of Zadok (v. 19), an honor probably stemming from Zadok’s unwavering loyalty to David and Solomon.