Ezekiel 43: God's Glory Returns to the Temple

Short answer: Ezekiel 43 records the return of God's glory to the temple from the east, filling the house. It then gives instructions for the altar and its consecration, emphasizing God's desire to dwell among a purified people.

What Ezekiel 43 says

The chapter opens with the prophet being brought to the east gate, where he sees the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. The vision is overwhelming: God's voice is like many waters, and the earth shines with his glory. This appearance matches earlier visions the prophet had seen, both when he came to destroy the city and by the river Chebar. Overcome, he falls on his face. The glory then enters the temple through the east gate, and the Spirit lifts him into the inner court, where the house is filled with God's glory. This dramatic return signals that God is not permanently abandoning his people but is coming back to dwell among them.

In verses 6 through 9, God speaks from the house, declaring that this is the place of his throne and the soles of his feet, where he will dwell among the children of Israel forever. He addresses the past defilement by the house of Israel, including their kings, through prostitution and dead bodies in high places. They had set their threshold and doorposts next to his, with only a wall between, defiling his holy name. Because of this, God had consumed them in anger. Now he calls them to put away their prostitution and the dead bodies of their kings, promising that then he will dwell among them forever. This section highlights both God's holiness and his willingness to restore.

Verses 10 and 11 shift to a call for the prophet to show the house to Israel so they may be ashamed of their iniquities and measure the pattern. If they are ashamed, he is to make known the form of the house, its exits and entrances, all its ordinances and laws, and write it in their sight so they may keep and do them. Verse 12 states the law of the house: the whole limit around it on the top of the mountain shall be most holy. This emphasis on shame and careful measurement underscores that restoration involves acknowledging sin and aligning with God's design. The detailed description serves as a blueprint for a renewed community centered on holiness.

The final section, verses 13 through 27, provides measurements for the altar and instructions for its consecration. The altar is described in cubits, with specific dimensions for its base, ledges, hearth, and horns. The steps face east. God then gives ordinances for the altar's dedication: a young bull for a sin offering, with blood applied to the horns, corners, and border to cleanse and make atonement. Over seven days, they are to offer a goat, a bull, and a ram without defect, with salt, as burnt offerings. On the eighth day and beyond, the priests will offer burnt and peace offerings, and God will accept them. This detailed ritual emphasizes purification and the restoration of proper worship.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth was illuminated with his glory.” (Ezekiel 43:2) — This verse vividly describes the return of God's glory, with his voice like many waters and the earth illuminated, signaling his powerful presence.
• “He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever. The house of Israel will no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their prostitution, and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places;” (Ezekiel 43:7) — God declares the temple as his throne and footstool, promising to dwell among Israel forever if they turn from defilement, highlighting his desire for relationship.
• ““You, son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.” (Ezekiel 43:10) — The call to show the house to Israel so they may be ashamed and measure the pattern reveals that true restoration begins with contrition and attention to God's design.
• “When they have accomplished the days, it shall be that on the eighth day, and forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings on the altar, and your peace offerings. Then I will accept you,’ says the Lord Yahweh.”” (Ezekiel 43:27) — After the days of consecration, God promises to accept the people's offerings, showing that purification leads to restored fellowship and acceptance.

Gospel connection

Ezekiel 43 foreshadows the greater restoration found in Christ. The return of God's glory to the temple points to Jesus, who is the true temple and the radiance of God's glory. The detailed altar and sacrifices prefigure the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, who cleanses and makes atonement for sin. Just as God promised to dwell among his people forever, Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, and through his Spirit, believers become a holy temple. The call to repentance and purification echoes the gospel invitation to turn from sin and receive forgiveness, leading to eternal communion with God.

Application

This chapter asks readers to examine their own lives for anything that defiles God's holy name. It calls for repentance, a turning away from sin and a turning toward God's design for holiness. Like Israel, we are invited to be ashamed of our iniquities, not in a destructive way, but in a way that leads to change. We are to measure our lives against God's pattern, seeking to align with his ordinances. The promise remains: when we put away our idols, God dwells among us. This is not about earning his presence but about removing barriers so we can enjoy the fellowship he desires. It is a call to consecration, to set apart our lives for his glory, trusting that he accepts us through the perfect sacrifice of Christ.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not specify the exact location of the temple or the identity of the speaker beyond the prophet and God. It does not claim that the temple described was ever built in Ezekiel's lifetime, nor does it give a timeline for when these events would occur. The text is silent on how the measurements correspond to modern units or whether the altar rituals were meant to be literally reinstated. It does not explain the nature of the dead bodies of the kings or the specific abominations committed. Additionally, it does not name the man who stood by the prophet or clarify the role of the Spirit beyond lifting him. These details remain unspecified, and readers should avoid imposing interpretations not supported by the text.

Questions for study

1. What does the return of God's glory from the east signify for Israel's restoration, and how does it compare to earlier visions in Ezekiel?
2. Why does God emphasize the placement of his throne and footstool in the temple, and what does this say about his desire to dwell with his people?
3. How does the call for Israel to be ashamed and measure the pattern relate to true repentance and restoration?
4. What is the significance of the detailed altar measurements and the seven-day consecration process for understanding holiness?
5. In what ways does the promise of God accepting his people after consecration point forward to the work of Christ?

Keep reading

Related studies: Ezekiel 1 Bible Study, Ezekiel 10 Bible Study, Ezekiel 11 Bible Study, Ezekiel 12 Bible Study.

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FAQ

What is the main message of Ezekiel 43?

The main message is that God's glory returns to dwell among his people, but this requires them to put away their sin and embrace holiness. It also provides instructions for the altar and its consecration, showing the importance of proper worship.

Why does Ezekiel fall on his face in verse 3?

Ezekiel falls on his face because he is overwhelmed by the vision of God's glory, which is consistent with his reactions to previous visions. It shows reverence and awe in the presence of divine majesty.

What does the altar symbolize in this chapter?

The altar symbolizes the means by which sin is atoned for and fellowship with God is restored. Its detailed measurements and consecration rituals highlight the need for purification and the seriousness of approaching a holy God.