Ezekiel 43

CHAPTER 43

The Glory Returns to the Temple (43:1–12)

1–5 These verses are the climax of the entire book of Ezekiel. In his vision, Ezekiel has seen this magnificent temple of the future, and now he sees the glory of the LORD entering it (verse 4). This glory was like the glory he had seen in his first vision by the Kebar River (Ezekiel Chapter 1). The Lord’s glory entered the temple from the east—the same direction in which Ezekiel had earlier seen the glory depart (Ezekiel 11:23). The glory filled the temple, just as it had earlier filled the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple (see Exodus 40:34–35; 1 Kings 8:10–11). Ezekiel saw all this because the Spirit had brought him into the inner court of the temple (verse 5).

6–9 This vision of the Lord returning to His temple was important for the Jewish exiles because it reassured them that one day the Lord would indeed return and all the promises of Ezekiel Chapters 33–39 would be fulfilled. In Ezekiel’s time the nation of Israel was under discipline, and it would remain under discipline until the Messianic age when the Messiah would finally cleanse the Israelites and restore them to a future “promised land”—together with believers in Jesus. We believers have already been given a foretaste of our inheritance through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14).

Ezekiel heard someone speaking to him from inside the temple (verse 6); it was God. God said He would live among the Israelites forever, thus renewing the promise He had given in Ezekiel 37:26–28. God also assured the Israelites that they would never again defile [His] holy name (verse 7); they would be cleansed and given a new heart, and they would keep His laws⁹⁵ (see Ezekiel 36:25–28).

10–12 Here God goes on to say that when the exiles hear about this holy temple and what He has planned for them in the future, they will be ashamed of their former rebellion against Him and they will be motivated to live holy lives (verses 10–11).

The Lord ends by saying there is only one basic law of the temple: the entire temple area must remain holy. The Lord’s word both to the Israelites and to us continues through every age:“ . . . be holy, because Iamholy” (Leviticus 11:45; 1 Peter 1:15–16).

The Altar (43:13–27)

13–17 Here the altar of burnt offering is described (see Exodus 27:1–8 and comment).

18–27 In these verses the Lord explains the regulations governing the use of the altar. First the altar must be purified, made holy; atonement⁹⁶ must be made for it (verses 20,22). This is to go on for seven days; then the altar will be cleansed, dedicated, and ready for ordinary use (verse 26). Then the people may offer their burnt offerings and fellowship offerings (see Leviticus 3:1–17), and be assured that they, the people, will be accepted by the Lord (verse 27).