Measuring and accounting for everything

Ezekiel 42

• The temple included a number of rooms (v. 1-12)
• which served as changing rooms for the priests (v. 13-14).
• The outer court and wall is measured all around (v. 15-20).

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A tour of the temple

Ezekiel 41

Although these chapters (40-48) reveal many details, their description of the temple cannot be taken as an architect’s blueprint from which one can construct a valid model.

Do not focus on the minute; but rather step back and see the overall view of these chapters. Look not for a point of controversy; look for God’s big truth.

In this chapter, Ezekiel sees

• the temple posts and doors (v 1-4),
• the wall and various small rooms (v.5-17), and
• various decorations and the altar of incense (v. 18-26).

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The temple vision

Ezekiel 40

that no material building can be designed is clear from this one observation; that not only the whole land of Israel would not be capable of having such a city as is here described built upon it, but even all Europe would not be sufficient; nor the whole world, according to the account of the dimensions which some give of it. The circumference of the city is said to be about eighteen thousand measures (Ezekiel 48:35) –John Gill

And we, who live under the Gospel dispensation,  have apostolic authority for the assertion that the temple and temple worship were emblematic of Christ’s Church,  frequently represented in the New Testament under the metaphor of a temple, in allusion to the symmetry, beauty, and firmness of that of Solomon; to its orderly worship; and to the manifestations it held of the Divine Presence. (Adam Clarke)

Given that no such temple as described in the last nine chapters of Ezekiel has ever existed, we are left with a few possibilities.

a. The temple described here was a possibility that has not yet been, and may never be, attained.

b. The temple described here was a figure of the glory which God would see in any temple built for Him.

c. Such a temple will be built in a future age.

d. The temple was a figure of true spiritual worship in the kingdom of God.

Outline of the chapter

• The time and setting of the vision (v. 1-5).
• The gates (v. 6-38), with the eastern gate receiving the most attention.
• The eight tables (v. 39-43).
• The rooms (v. 44-47).
• The porch (v. 48-49).

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