Ezekiel 41-42

In today’s reading we see the dimensions of the sanctuary (41:1, Heb. heykal, the holy place, the main room in the temple) as well as the priest’s chambers.  The picture is of a literal temple and priesthood.  For many this is inconceivable since the One who was foreshadowed by the temple and its worship has come.  This has left them with a need to explain away the literal detail.  Let us consider what we believe to be objectionable answers to the question, “What temple is being described?”  Tomorrow’s study will dwell on the positive.

·        Some believe this is Solomon’s temple, given here to perpetuate its memory.  But the details of the two temples are different. 

·        Others hole that it is the second temple, the one built after the Babylonian exile that has been the subject of much of Ezekiel’s prophecy.  But again, to maintain this view, one must ignore the specific details that are given; there is no record of a temple like that of Ezekiel being built in post exile Israel.

·        Some argue that John, in Revelation, uses these chapters in Ezekiel to describe the heavenly Jerusalem after removing the Jewish elements.  But again, the dissimilarities far outweigh the similarities. 

·        There are a variety of views that seek to understand Ezekiel’s temple as figurative or spiritual in some way.  Some view it as a figure of the redeemed of all ages worshiping God in heaven.  The problem with this and any of the “figurative” views is to explain why there is such minute detail, something you may have found difficult to read and follow. 

·        Many Church fathers, including most of the reformers, saw it as allegorical, seeing in it the spiritual endowments of the Church now.  Supersessionists (replacement theology) usually favor this view.  In response we would first say that allegory unexplained in Scripture is too subjective.  The variety of interpretations of the details is nearly equal to the number of interpreters.  The usual effect is to make the details superfluous.  Furthermore this view would have meant nothing to Ezekiel or the contemporaries to whom he prophesied.

·        In a similar manner to the views above, others see Ezek. 40-49 as a prophetic parable giving spiritual truth in a “story”.  Again, this view denied the need for all the details.  Certainly the “tabernacle” and the “temple” were full of spiritual truth.  But they were still structures that were literally significant.

We would ask, then, is it possible that this temple can be understood as a literal structure, built at a time that involves the Messiah?  Can this temple, its sacrifices (40:38-43) and its priesthood (40:44-46) be understood in light of the finished, once-for-all sacrifice of atonement provided by Christ?  We believe it can be and encourage you to continue to read thoughtfully.  Tomorrow’s reading will bring to light the presence of God in this temple.