Eze 43:4 | KingComments | STEP | Ezekiel has seen the new temple in the two previous chapters. In this chapter the Owner and Occupant takes up residence there. That Owner and Occupant is the LORD in His glory, Who had to leave His temple, which earlier had been profaned by men. A clear message to the people is attached to His return. Ezekiel is given this message with the command to pass it on to the people. The purpose is that they will be touched in their conscience by these words and return to God with repentance in their hearts for their unfaithfulness. Further, the law for the house is given, the dimensions of the altar of burnt offering are given, and it is said how it is to be consecrated. The Man leads Ezekiel back to the east gate ( ), which is one of the three entrances to the temple complex described in Ezekiel 40. Ezekiel saw how the glory of God left Solomon’s temple to the east ( ). That glory did not return in the temple that Zerubbabel rebuilt after returning from exile (cf. ). Now Ezekiel sees the breathtaking sight of “the glory of the God of Israel”, probably using the same throne chariot with which he saw the glory disappear. He is an eyewitness to the coming of God’s glory “from the way of the east” ( ). God’s glory is returning to dwell in His temple. The sound that accompanies that return is reminiscent of “the sound of many waters”. This recalls the powerful and majestic sound of the wings of the cherubim, reinforcing the thought of the throne chariot (cf. ; ). The glory of the LORD casts its radiance upon the earth which is thereby illuminated (cf. ; ; ; ; ). The glory of the God of Israel comes from the east. In that direction, Ezekiel saw that glory disappear from the temple in a vision eighteen years earlier ( ; ). On that occasion he announced the destruction of the city. He calls the destruction of the city here an act done by the LORD, when in fact the city was destroyed by the Babylonians. The Babylonians have thus executed God’s judgment, so that in reality it is God Who has destroyed the city. He sees the glory of the LORD coming “into the house by the way of the gate facing toward the east” ( ; cf. ; ). This vision is perhaps the highlight of his ministry. That he may see and pass on that the glory of the LORD is returning to His house can be surpassed by nothing. When we consider that Ezekiel is a priest ‘by birth’, this will undoubtedly make him forget all previous lack of being able to serve as a priest. At this sight he falls down in worship to the ground (cf. ). From the return of the glory of the LORD speaks great grace. After seeing the glory, the Spirit lifts Ezekiel up (cf. ) and brings him into the inner court, to the temple entrance ( ). There he can see that the glory of the LORD has filled the house. The glory of the LORD also fills the tabernacle and temple when they have been built ( ; ).

‏ Ezekiel 43:4

Introduction

Ezekiel has seen the new temple in the two previous chapters. In this chapter the Owner and Occupant takes up residence there. That Owner and Occupant is the LORD in His glory, Who had to leave His temple, which earlier had been profaned by men. A clear message to the people is attached to His return. Ezekiel is given this message with the command to pass it on to the people. The purpose is that they will be touched in their conscience by these words and return to God with repentance in their hearts for their unfaithfulness. Further, the law for the house is given, the dimensions of the altar of burnt offering are given, and it is said how it is to be consecrated.

The Glory of the LORD Returns

The Man leads Ezekiel back to the east gate (Eze 43:1), which is one of the three entrances to the temple complex described in Ezekiel 40. Ezekiel saw how the glory of God left Solomon’s temple to the east (Eze 9:3 ; Eze 10:4 ; 18-19 ; Eze 11:22-25). That glory did not return in the temple that Zerubbabel rebuilt after returning from exile (cf. Hag 2:3). Now Ezekiel sees the breathtaking sight of “the glory of the God of Israel”, probably using the same throne chariot with which he saw the glory disappear. He is an eyewitness to the coming of God’s glory “from the way of the east” (Eze 43:2).

God’s glory is returning to dwell in His temple. The sound that accompanies that return is reminiscent of “the sound of many waters”. This recalls the powerful and majestic sound of the wings of the cherubim, reinforcing the thought of the throne chariot (cf. Eze 1:24; Rev 1:15 ; Rev 14:2). The glory of the LORD casts its radiance upon the earth which is thereby illuminated (cf. Eze 1:4 ; 27; Deu 33:2; Isa 60:1-3; Hab 3:4; Rev 18:1).

The glory of the God of Israel comes from the east. In that direction, Ezekiel saw that glory disappear from the temple in a vision eighteen years earlier (Eze 43:3; Eze 43:1). On that occasion he announced the destruction of the city.

He calls the destruction of the city here an act done by the LORD, when in fact the city was destroyed by the Babylonians. The Babylonians have thus executed God’s judgment, so that in reality it is God Who has destroyed the city.

He sees the glory of the LORD coming “into the house by the way of the gate facing toward the east” (Eze 43:4; cf. Exo 40:34-35; 2Chr 7:1 ; 3). This vision is perhaps the highlight of his ministry. That he may see and pass on that the glory of the LORD is returning to His house can be surpassed by nothing. When we consider that Ezekiel is a priest ‘by birth’, this will undoubtedly make him forget all previous lack of being able to serve as a priest. At this sight he falls down in worship to the ground (cf. Eze 44:4). From the return of the glory of the LORD speaks great grace.

After seeing the glory, the Spirit lifts Ezekiel up (cf. Eze 3:12) and brings him into the inner court, to the temple entrance (Eze 43:5). There he can see that the glory of the LORD has filled the house. The glory of the LORD also fills the tabernacle and temple when they have been built (Exo 40:34-35; 1Kgs 8:10-11).