The Need for a Sacrifice for Our Sins
40:4-5 And the man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see." Now there was a wall all around the outside of the temple. In the man's hand was a measuring rod six cubits long, each being a cubit and a handbreadth; and he measured the width of the wall structure, one rod; and the height, one rod.
A physical place where God would meet with His people had been first established in the Tabernacle, a tent designed by God. This tent was specifically designed to reflect spiritual truths about both God Himself and the way humanity could approach Him. The Temple that is referred to here represents this same truth.
The basic truth revealed by the design of this Temple is the need for a substitutionary sacrifice to pay the death penalty that hangs over each of our heads because of our sin. This process required that on the Day of Atonement an offering of an unblemished bull be sacrificed upon an altar that was placed before the entrance to the Temple. The blood of this sacrifice was then taken into the Temple to signify the life that died in the place of sinful humanity. This blood was sprinkled within the Holy of Holies, the place where God literally manifested Himself in a glowing mist. Some of this blood was also ceremonially sprinkled upon the people of God who waited outside the wall. There they accepted by faith this blood as a just substitute for their sin. The result of God's grace in accepting this substitute and their faith in God to do so opened up to the people a genuine access to God in the Spirit.
It should be obvious to every person who knows the events surrounding the crucifixion of Christ how He became the one perfect and eternal substitutionary offering for the sins of all people for all time.
This is why, upon seeing Christ, John the Baptist proclaimed, "Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." For us today it is a mockery of Jesus for any one who comes to believe in Him but not as a substitute for sin's judgment. There is no ritual, philosopher, or limited good works that can ever do what the Lamb of God did for us upon the cross.
Ezekiel 39:1-40:49 Gog's Armies Destroyed
1 "And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; 2 and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel. 3 Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand, and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand. 4 You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. 5 You shall fall on the open field; for I have spoken," says the Lord GOD. 6 "And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the LORD. 7 So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. 8 Surely it is coming, and it shall be done," says the Lord GOD. "This is the day of which I have spoken.
9 "Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years. 10 They will not take wood from the field nor cut down any from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; and they will plunder those who plundered them, and pillage those who pillaged them," says the Lord GOD.
The Burial of Gog
11 "It will come to pass in that day that I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea; and it will obstruct travelers, because there they will bury Gog and all his multitude. Therefore they will call it the Valley of Hamon Gog. 12 For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land. 13 Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified," says the Lord GOD. 14 "They will set apart men regularly employed, with the help of a search party, to pass through the land and bury those bodies remaining on the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search. 15 The search party will pass through the land; and when anyone sees a man's bone, he shall set up a marker by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog. 16 The name of the city will also be Hamonah. Thus they shall cleanse the land."'
A Triumphant Festival
17 "And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, 'Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field:
"Assemble yourselves and come;
Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you,
A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel,
That you may eat flesh and drink blood.
18 You shall eat the flesh of the mighty,
Drink the blood of the princes of the earth,
Of rams and lambs,
Of goats and bulls,
All of them fatlings of Bashan.
19 You shall eat fat till you are full,
And drink blood till you are drunk,
At My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you.
20 You shall be filled at My table
With horses and riders,
With mighty men
And with all the men of war," says the Lord GOD.
Israel Restored to the Land
21 "I will set My glory among the nations; all the nations shall see My judgment which I have executed, and My hand which I have laid on them. 22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day forward. 23 The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. 24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I have dealt with them, and hidden My face from them."'
25 "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name— 26 after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid. 27 When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, 28 then they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. 29 And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,' says the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 40 A New City, a New Temple
1 In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was captured, on the very same day the hand of the LORD was upon me; and He took me there. 2 In the visions of God He took me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south was something like the structure of a city. 3 He took me there, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze. He had a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway.
4 And the man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see." 5 Now there was a wall all around the outside of the temple. In the man's hand was a measuring rod six cubits long, each being a cubit and a handbreadth; and he measured the width of the wall structure, one rod; and the height, one rod.
The Eastern Gateway of the Temple
6 Then he went to the gateway which faced east; and he went up its stairs and measured the threshold of the gateway, which was one rod wide, and the other threshold was one rod wide. 7 Each gate chamber was one rod long and one rod wide; between the gate chambers was a space of five cubits; and the threshold of the gateway by the vestibule of the inside gate was one rod. 8 He also measured the vestibule of the inside gate, one rod. 9 Then he measured the vestibule of the gateway, eight cubits; and the gateposts, two cubits. The vestibule of the gate was on the inside. 10 In the eastern gateway were three gate chambers on one side and three on the other; the three were all the same size; also the gateposts were of the same size on this side and that side.
11 He measured the width of the entrance to the gateway, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits. 12 There was a space in front of the gate chambers, one cubit on this side and one cubit on that side; the gate chambers were six cubits on this side and six cubits on that side. 13 Then he measured the gateway from the roof of one gate chamber to the roof of the other; the width was twenty-five cubits, as door faces door. 14 He measured the gateposts, sixty cubits high, and the court all around the gateway extended to the gatepost. 15 From the front of the entrance gate to the front of the vestibule of the inner gate was fifty cubits. 16 There were beveled window frames in the gate chambers and in their intervening archways on the inside of the gateway all around, and likewise in the vestibules. There were windows all around on the inside. And on each gatepost were palm trees.
The Outer Court
17 Then he brought me into the outer court; and there were chambers and a pavement made all around the court; thirty chambers faced the pavement. 18 The pavement was by the side of the gateways, corresponding to the length of the gateways; this was the lower pavement. 19 Then he measured the width from the front of the lower gateway to the front of the inner court exterior, one hundred cubits toward the east and the north.
The Northern Gateway
20 On the outer court was also a gateway facing north, and he measured its length and its width. 21 Its gate chambers, three on this side and three on that side, its gateposts and its archways, had the same measurements as the first gate; its length was fifty cubits and its width twenty-five cubits. 22 Its windows and those of its archways, and also its palm trees, had the same measurements as the gateway facing east; it was ascended by seven steps, and its archway was in front of it. 23 A gate of the inner court was opposite the northern gateway, just as the eastern gateway; and he measured from gateway to gateway, one hundred cubits.
The Southern Gateway
24 After that he brought me toward the south, and there a gateway was facing south; and he measured its gateposts and archways according to these same measurements. 25 There were windows in it and in its archways all around like those windows; its length was fifty cubits and its width twenty-five cubits. 26 Seven steps led up to it, and its archway was in front of them; and it had palm trees on its gateposts, one on this side and one on that side. 27 There was also a gateway on the inner court, facing south; and he measured from gateway to gateway toward the south, one hundred cubits.
Gateways of the Inner Court
28 Then he brought me to the inner court through the southern gateway; he measured the southern gateway according to these same measurements. 29 Also its gate chambers, its gateposts, and its archways were according to these same measurements; there were windows in it and in its archways all around; it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 30 There were archways all around, twenty-five cubits long and five cubits wide. 31 Its archways faced the outer court, palm trees were on its gateposts, and going up to it were eight steps.
32 And he brought me into the inner court facing east; he measured the gateway according to these same measurements. 33 Also its gate chambers, its gateposts, and its archways were according to these same measurements; and there were windows in it and in its archways all around; it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 34 Its archways faced the outer court, and palm trees were on its gateposts on this side and on that side; and going up to it were eight steps.
35 Then he brought me to the north gateway and measured it according to these same measurements— 36 also its gate chambers, its gateposts, and its archways. It had windows all around; its length was fifty cubits and its width twenty-five cubits. 37 Its gateposts faced the outer court, palm trees were on its gateposts on this side and on that side, and going up to it were eight steps.
Where Sacrifices Were Prepared
38 There was a chamber and its entrance by the gateposts of the gateway, where they washed the burnt offering. 39 In the vestibule of the gateway were two tables on this side and two tables on that side, on which to slay the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering. 40 At the outer side of the vestibule, as one goes up to the entrance of the northern gateway, were two tables; and on the other side of the vestibule of the gateway were two tables. 41 Four tables were on this side and four tables on that side, by the side of the gateway, eight tables on which they slaughtered the sacrifices. 42 There were also four tables of hewn stone for the burnt offering, one cubit and a half long, one cubit and a half wide, and one cubit high; on these they laid the instruments with which they slaughtered the burnt offering and the sacrifice. 43 Inside were hooks, a handbreadth wide, fastened all around; and the flesh of the sacrifices was on the tables.
Chambers for Singers and Priests
44 Outside the inner gate were the chambers for the singers in the inner court, one facing south at the side of the northern gateway, and the other facing north at the side of the southern gateway. 45 Then he said to me, "This chamber which faces south is for the priests who have charge of the temple. 46 The chamber which faces north is for the priests who have charge of the altar; these are the sons of Zadok, from the sons of Levi, who come near the LORD to minister to Him."
Dimensions of the Inner Court and Vestibule
47 And he measured the court, one hundred cubits long and one hundred cubits wide, foursquare. The altar was in front of the temple. 48 Then he brought me to the vestibule of the temple and measured the doorposts of the vestibule, five cubits on this side and five cubits on that side; and the width of the gateway was three cubits on this side and three cubits on that side. 49 The length of the vestibule was twenty cubits, and the width eleven cubits; and by the steps which led up to it there were pillars by the doorposts, one on this side and another on that side.
Ezekiel 39:1-40:49
v. 1 And you, – This chapter is the second oracle against Gog, a restatement of Chapter 38, which adds some new details. What God says twice, He certainly means (Gen. 41:32).
v. 3 then I will knock – The attack from God will be so sudden and severe that archers will drop their bows and their arrows.
v. 4 Birds of prey – See study notes for verses 17-20 below.
v. 6 those who live in security in the coastlands – This destruction not only includes Gog's army, but the people's of the coastland who join in with them.
v. 7 Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD – See study note for 38:16.
v. 8 This is the day of which I have spoken – See study note for 38:17.
v. 9 those who dwell – Ezekiel depicts three ways that show the total destruction of Gog's army. First, Israel will not have to gather firewood for seven years, so great is the amount of arms. Secondly, God will assign a large burying place for the attackers; it will take seven months to bury them. Seven is often a number that marks completion in the OT. Thus the number seven in the seven years and the seven months may be literal, but it is also symbolic, stamping the overthrow of Gog's army as a punishment inflicted by God, the completion of His judgment. Third, God will call the birds of prey to a great meal. They will do so because it will take so long to bury the dead that the birds will get to them first.
v. 11 it will obstruct travelers – The burying place will be so large that it will get in the way of travelers going that way.
Hamon Gog – the multitude of Go"
v. 12 seven months – Such a large army will take a long time to bury.
v. 14 They will set apart men regularly employed – Again, the task is so large that it will require full-time teams working on it.
v. 15 set up a marker by it – After the birds have devoured the flesh, there will be just bones left. Markers will need to be set so the work parties can locate them.
v. 16 Hamonah – A local city will be so synonymous with the burial place that it will take on the name "multitude."
v. 17 speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field – Here Ezekiel drops back and restates the attack from the perspective of the birds of prey and beasts. This is reminiscent of Revelation 19:21.
v. 18 Of rams and lambs, Of goats and bulls – The picture given here is of a sacrificial meal (Is. 34:6, Jer. 46:10). God so turns the attack around that the attackers end up becoming a sacrifice to God.
Bashan – a district on the east of Jordan, famous for its bulls
v. 22 the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God – God's glorious defeat of Israel's enemies shows all nations that He is sovereign Lord over all the earth and shows Israel that He is their covenant God (Zech. 12:10-13:9, Rom. 11:25-27).
v. 23 Israel went into captivity for their iniquity – This is a reminder that God could destroy Israel as easily as He destroyed Gog. But God was gracious to Israel and chose not to destroy them, but sent them into captivity at the hands of the Babylonians.
v. 24 according to their transgressions – See study note, verse 23 above.
v. 25 Now I will bring back – With these verses, Ezekiel returns to the present situation (captivity in Babylon). God reminds Israel through Ezekiel of some important things. First, Israel was sent to Babylon because of their sin. Second, He will bring them back and gather them to the land. Third, and most important, He will provide His Spirit to them so that can live in fellowship with Him. Ezekiel thus finishes this section by looking forward to the coming Messiah and the giving of the Holy Spirit, and to the glorious age to follow.
Ezekiel 40
v. 1 the twenty-fifth year – Ezekiel receives this vision in 573 BC, 25 years after he was taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. (It would also be the 14th year after the final destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.)
tenth day of the month – The 10th day of Nisan (the first month of the Jewish calendar) began the preparation for the Passover, which celebrates Israel's beginnings as a nation when God delivered them from the hands of the Egyptians (1,446 BC). God chooses this day to give Ezekiel a vision of the new Temple.
v. 2 mountain – Mount Zion, which has been raised above all mountains of the earth by an earthquake
v. 3 a man – an angel with a very bright (shining bronze) and manlike appearance
a line of flax – a measuring line or rope made of grain (flax is a kind of wheat) used to measure longer distances (like a measuring tape)
measuring rod – a rod used to measure shorter distances (like a yard stick)
gateway – The angel stood in the gateway ready to enter the temple complex with Ezekiel.
v. 4 Look, hear, fix – God wanted Ezekiel to notice every detail.
Declare – To faithful Jews, the description of this temple and its circumstances would be the greatest news imaginable—full of deep humility and shame over their past sin, yes, but also one of deep comfort that God has a future for them.
v. 5 a wall – The wall would be about ten feet high and about ten feet thick.
measuring rod – The rod was six long cubits (about 21 inches each), thus about 10 feet long.
cubit – The cubit used here was the long cubit. The standard cubit was 6 handbreadths long (3 x 6, or 18 inches). The long cubit had an extra handbreadth (3 x 7, or 21 inches).
v. 6 the threshold of the gateway – one rod (10') wide on each side
v. 7 gate chamber – Guardrooms where the gate guard would be stationed. They were one rod (10') long, one deep.
v. 10 three gate chambers – There were six guardrooms just inside the gate, three on each side of the gate.
v. 16 beveled windows – to let in light into the guardrooms
palm trees – The posts were carved to look like palm trees.
v. 17 the outer court – The outer court would be the area between the Temple and the wall around it.
chambers – Four walls made a square, each wall having thirty chambers facing into the courtyard, with each gate in the middle of the wall, facing the four points of a compass. There was no west gate. That wall butted-up against the back of the temple.
v. 20 on the outer court – This begins the description of the north gate into the Outer Court (identical to the east gate).
v. 24 toward the south – This begins the description of the south gate into the Outer Court (identical to the east gate).
v. 28 inner court – Ezekiel, having entered the outer court by ascending the steps to and through the east gate, and having toured it, now ascends the steps of the inner southern gate and go into the Inner Court. The measurements of the three inner gateways are similar to those of the outer gateways, but they lead into the inner court, which is just outside the Temple. This area is reserved for priestly use. Ezekiel is a priest as well as a prophet.
v. 32 facing east – the inner east gate
v. 35 north gateway – the inner north gate
v. 38 a chamber…the vestibule – This was the area where the priests prepared the sacrifices. It's just on the north side of the altar.
v. 44 for the singers – Also in the Inner Court are two chambers for the singers and ministering priests. The one facing south is for the priests who have charge of the Temple complex generally. The one facing north is for the sons of Zadok, who specifically "come near the Lord." A distinction is made here between the Levites who had been unfaithful to the Lord, and now have only a general responsibility for the Temple grounds, while the sons of Zadok have the privilege of approaching the altar and the Most Holy Place. Zadok was a priest who had been faithful to both David and Solomon (1 Kings 1:39, Eze. 44:10-15).
v. 47 the court – The Inner Court is one hundred cubits square, or about 175 feet.
v. 48 vestibule – The measurements of the Temple vestibule are here given.
And the man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see." Now there was a wall all around the outside of the temple. In the man's hand was a measuring rod six cubits long, each being a cubit and a handbreadth; and he measured the width of the wall structure, one rod; and the height, one rod. –Ezekiel 40:4-5
We see the threads of the coming Messiah in these words we read today. Thank You, Jesus, for making the only sacrifice that is necessary for all sin for all time—that of Yourself.
New Hope Ministry
One of the greatest blessings in being a part of the New Hope ministry is watching the women blossom as they discover (or rediscover) that they are not alone, and that they have more strength, more support, and more options than they had previously realized, both from the body of Christ and, more importantly, from their loving, ever-present, all powerful Heavenly Father.
Prayer Points
* for those hearts that are wounded, that need to be bound up by the Lord so that they may experience the love, forgiveness, and healing that Jesus offers
