In Ezekiel’s vision described in chapters 8-11, the temple in Jerusalem was seen to be desecrated with idols. The Lord and His glory were also seen to depart from the temple. However, in later chapters, the prophet gave hopeful messages of a future restoration for God’s people. He hinted that in their homeland they would have a sanctuary and the presence of God.
In chapter 39, we saw the blessings that God’s people would experience
when they returned to the land. This chapter seems like a neat place to bring the
book to a conclusion. But after this chapter, the book of Ezekiel has nine more
chapters. Some have considered them as an appendix added to the book that had
concluded in chapter 39.
These next nine chapters are not easy to interpret much less to
understand. The first readers probably understood the description and illustrations
of Ezekiel 40-48 better. Unlike us, they didn’t have to overcome the language,
geographical, and cultural barriers that we have. That is why we will need to trust
God to lead us to find the needful personal application for our growth in Him. It is undeniable that these chapters
are spiritual truths God wants us to discover, apply, and grow in Him.
Ezekiel chapters 40-48 present a
climax of hope in God for His people. The Temple, a priesthood, and a worship
system are seen to be constructed. This future Temple would be a holy and sanctified
place where God would dwell. It would be a key part of the promised land which would
be supernaturally blessed by God. Included in this blessing would be Gentiles whom
God would make His people.
Ezekiel 40:1-4 says that the vision the prophet saw happened in
the 25th year of the exile on the tenth day of the first month, and
14 years after Jerusalem was captured. He was taken to a very high mountain in
Israel and given a tour. Toward the south, he saw the structure of a city. Here he
was brought closer to the gate of that city. Standing in the gateway, he saw a
man, an angelic being, glistening like bronze. In his hand were two pieces of measuring equipment.
One was a rod and the other, a reed.
Ezekiel was then told to pay close attention to what would be revealed
to Him. He was to take careful note of all that he would see with his eyes and hear
with his ears. Whatever would be revealed to him, Ezekiel had the
responsibility to declare all to the House of Israel.
While truths will be concealed from unbelievers, God will make it known to those who believe in Him. Like He had chosen and used Ezekiel as His instrument, God can also use us as His messengers. All of us are God’s redemptive agents in the world. It behooves us to pay close attention to all that He will reveal so that we can pass it on to warn or bless others. Let’s be God’s faithful instrument!
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