What I Noticed Today (Ezekiel 40-42)
Ezekiel 40-43
These four chapters describe in detail the new temple that will be built in the Millennial reign of Christ.
Ezekiel 40
In verses 1-4, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel in the twenty-fifth year of the exile, in the tenth month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of Jerusalem, or sometime in 573 B.C. A man whose appearance was like bronze (probably an angel) gave Ezekiel a vision with instructions to tell the house of Israel everything you see.
Note: Because the month is not explicitly stated, we cannot be positive about the date. The Israelite religious New Year was the month of Nisan (April-May). However, the traditional Israelite New Year was in the month of Tishri (October-November). Therefore, the date of this prophecy was likely either April 28 or October 22, 587 B.C.
Given the detail of these descriptions, it is easier to visualize in a drawing from the Bible Exposition Commentary.
In verses 5-27, the man Ezekiel saw had a measuring rod six long cubits (a cubit and a hand-breath, about 21 inches in a long cubit, six long cubits = 10.5 feet). A detailed description was provided from the east gate to the outer court, from the outer court to the north gate, and finally to the south gate.
In verses 28-47, the angel described the inner court to Ezekiel and the side chambers for the priests.
In verses 48-49, the angel described the vestibule of the temple.
Ezekiel 41
In verses 1-4, the angel described the nave (the central place in a church) which the angel described as “The Most Holy Place.”
In verses 5-15a, the angel described the outside of the temple area proper. Again a sketch from the Bible Exposition Commentary is helpful to visualize the building.
In verses 15b-26, the angel described the interior wooden structures and windows of the temple.
Ezekiel 42
In verses 1-12, the angel described the priest’s chambers opposite the temple on the north side.
In verses 13-14, the angel described the holy chambers where the priests will prepare to approach the Lord.
In verses 15-20, the angel led Ezekiel out of the east gate and measured the entire outside area of the temple complex.
