Ezekiel 40-42 - I see a wall

40-42

There is no point pretending otherwise, but there is a lot of these chapters about which I have very little to say, so I won’t say it. In fact, “if you have nothing to say don’t say it” is a maxim that many would do well to observe and would shorten many a meeting! Many years ago when I was at Merton College, Oxford University (which is where I became a Christian, having been an atheist) the College Christian Union did a sponsored Bible reading, reading through the whole Bible. One of my slots was Ezekiel 40-48.

I emphasise that this failure to have much to say on these chapters is a reflection on my lack of understanding, it is not God’s fault!

According to Taylor there are 4 main approaches to this part of Ezekiel. The first is the literal, i.e. Ezekiel envisaged that a temple following the dimensions etc given in these verses. In favour of this view is the very fact that we do get a lot of detail. However, such a temple was never built. The second temple and Herod’s temple do not match these dimensions.

The second view is the symbolic one, which sees it as symbolising the church. The amount of detail given would tend to count against this view.

Next is the dispensationalist view. Taylor rejects this view outright, and I agree with him. This view would see a temple following these dimensions being built, and sacrifices being reintroduced. 

The fourth view, and the one favoured by Taylor, is an apocalyptic view, representing how things will be when God’s plans come to fruition. Taylor outlines this as:

• The perfection of God’s plan, represented by the symmetry of the temple.

• The centrality of worship, represented by the detail given of the worship aspects.

• The abiding presence of the Lord with His people.

• The blessing of God flowing out to all the earth (see chapter 47)

• The orderly allocation of duties to His people.

Anyway, chapters 40-42 contain a lot of architectural information.