Read Ezekiel
41-42 & 2
Peter 1
To discover:
As you read note consider
what the recording of the temple’s design is intended to portray.
To ponder:
From 40v49 onwards
we are taken to the temple itself in the middle of the temple complex. The
measurements are significant numbers – multiples of 10 (symbolising many),
multiples of 7 (symbolising perfection or completeness), 12 (symbolising Israel )
and 3 (another number of completeness). The temple essential consists of the
outer and inner sanctuaries. Taking Ezekiel with him, the man first measures
the portico (porch), then the outer sanctuary, followed by the inner one – the
most holy place, which was half the size of the outer sanctuary. The decreasing
size of entrances towards the inner sanctuary stresses its holiness and
exclusivity. We should only the man enters it, as it is forbidden for any human
but the High Priest. The man must therefore be either a representation of God
himself or an angel. Next he measured the temple wall and the thirty side rooms
on each of three levels, along the north, south and west sides. These are
probably store rooms for equipment, tithes and offerings. The rooms on each
successive level get wider. And they could be accessed from the area around the
temple, by staircases on the north and south sides. (You
can see a plan of the temple here). Around the temple was a raised paved
area, and then an open area stretching to the priests rooms to the north and
south. To the west, there was a large building, perhaps also for storage. In
terms of overall measurements, the length of the temple, of the yard and
building to its west, and the breadth of that building and the inner court were
all 100 cubits. Such detail seems strange to us, but it all symbolised the
perfection of the temple itself. And the desire to describe and meditate on it
should be likened to our desire to eagerly show pictures of a tour we had
around Buckingham Palace
It seems the inner walls, porches and
thresholds of the temple were covered with wood, much of which was covered with
carved cherubim and palm trees – again alluding to Eden
and stressing the presence of God (see Gen 3v24). The cherubim only had two
(rather than four, chapter 1) faces, perhaps because of the demands of two
dimensional art. They were of a man and a lion, the most noble of God’s
creatures. In the outer sanctuary, in front of the doors leading into the most
holy place, was a wooden altar-like table. This was called “the table that is
before the LORD,” but was the table of presence from the original temple, on
which twelve bread cakes were put ever Sabbath as a reminder that God’s was the
people’s provider. Both sanctuaries had double doors, but only those of the
outer sanctuary were carved with cherubim and palm trees (49v15-26).
42v1-14 describes the priests’ rooms
on the north and south of the inner court, opening onto the temple courtyard,
facing north and south respectively. They are identical, being perfect
rectangles (100x50 cubits) within a perfect square, again stressing symmetry.
Each side included two sets of buildings. One consisting of changing rooms and
rooms for eating and storing offerings. The other was a three story block. The
dimensions are similar to those used elsewhere. And the focus stresses how
sacred these places are because of their purpose and vicinity to the temple
itself. This is supported by the fact that the priests must leave their
garments before they go from the inner to outer court, because they are holy in
having been so close to God. The sense is that they would otherwise spread
holiness to the people, which could prove problematic if the people were not
consecrated to God, as his wrath might then break out at their sin - as when
Uzzah was struck down for coming into contact with the holy ark (see 2 Sam
6v7).
Finally, the man takes Ezekiel
outside via the east gate and measures the whole complex (42v15-19). It is
surrounded by a wall in a perfect square of 500 cubit (850 feet) sides. 42v20
highlights the purpose of the wall. It is to separate the holy from the common.
In other words, not only does this temple symbolise God’s presence with his
people, but true and untainted worship being offered him, in which his
regulations are kept, he is revered by bringing nothing unseemly close to him,
and in which his dwelling place is not defiled by sin (contrast 22v26). We
might consider the beauty of its design speaking of the final beauty of the
church as the temple of the Holy Spirit, or the new creation that God’s glory
will one day fill. Both are holy and set-apart, and in both, worship that is
true, obedient, reverent and undefiled is to be offered.
Praying
it home:
Praise God for his
beauty and majesty pictured in some way by the architectural beauty and majesty
of this temple-palace. Pray that you would offer worship with your lips and
life that is fitting to him.
Thinking
further:
None
today.
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