Day 257 Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 42-43

Ezekiel 42: Measuring the Priests' Chambers

[Overview]

This chapter is a continuation of the vision of the temple, describing the chambers around the temple, the auxiliary buildings in the courtyard, and measuring the size of the entire temple. In particular, by identifying the future restoration of Israel with the restoration of the temple, it strongly emphasizes the redemptive-historical significance of the temple construction. Ezekiel went from the outside of the temple building to the inside, reached the Most Holy Place, and then returned and was led to the outer buildings. This chapter consists of the first half (verses 1-14) describing the priests' chambers, and the second half (verses 15-20) describing the measurement of the four walls of the temple.  The rebuilding of the temple that Ezekiel speaks of can be understood as symbolically foreshadowing the church. Although the prophecies recorded in Ezekiel 40-48 seem to have been written with the Israelites in mind and their colors are external, they can refer to the New Testament church that has eternal life. This is because all the Old Testament messianic prophecies that were fulfilled in the New Testament church were external and material and centered on Israel. In that sense, the content of this chapter should also be understood spiritually. 

Ezekiel 43: The Return of God’s Glory and the Measurement of the Altar 

[Overview] 

Up until now, measuring the external forms of the temple and explaining their uses were merely preparatory steps for the manifestation of the Lord’s own glory. Now that the preliminary work has been completed, this chapter finally reveals God’s glory. In fact, the temple can only possess true value when God’s glory is present. In this sense, the fact that God’s glory fully dwells in the temple is evidence that God has accepted the temple building. This chapter consists of the first half (vv. 1-5) dramatically describing the situation where God's glory descends upon the temple, the middle part (vv. 6-12) describing God's promise if Israel no longer commits past sins, and the second half (vv. 13-27) describing the altar of burnt offering and its dedication.