The man with the measuring rod - Ezekiel 40

 

Read Ezekiel 40

Verses chosen for devotion Ezekiel‬ ‭40‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

”In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me to the city. In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south. When he brought me there, behold, there was a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring reed in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway. And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.”“

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Reflect

We would probably agree that this is not an easy passage to comprehend, especially with the measurement of the different parts of temple that we are not familiar with. There are some questions at the back of my mind as I read on and reflect on the entire chapter:

1. What is this temple in Ezekiel’s vision?
2. What is God trying to tell Ezekiel?
3. What is God’s purpose of revealing this detailed measurement of the temple?

Is this visionary temple referring to Solomon’s temple or the second temple to be rebuilt? Or is this the future temple (some referred to as millennial temple)? Why did God reveal the vision of the temple to Ezekiel and ask him to declare all that he saw to the house of Israel? Was this an act of reassurance that the people of Israel would return to God to be His people and worship Him once again?

And why was God so detailed in describing His plan for the temple to the degree of such precise measurement? Similarly we have learnt from the book of Exodus on how God instructed Moses on the fine details of building the Tabernacle. God takes every details seriously when it comes to planning the welfare of His people. With such a detailed and elaborated vision of the Temple it is absolutely certain to say that this temple will be built, relationship will be restored and God will not go back against His word!

Relate

Ezekiel’s temple may be a mystery to us. However, the passage revealed the following characters of God:

1. God is always planning ahead and in great details for the well being and future of His people (Jeremiah 29:11). He is detailed in everything concerning our welfare (Psalm 139:1-4), as detailed as his design for the Temple revealed to Ezekiel. As the psalmist put it that God knows when we sit or stand, discern our thoughts from afar and is acquainted with all our ways! Isn’t that wonderful to know? In the world where uncertainty prevails it is reassuring to know that God is already planning and preparing ahead of us for He knows every granular details about us. 
2. And in times when we fall short of God’s glory, God is always ready to forgive and restore (as revealed in the passage) - similarly Acts 3:19-21 urged us to repent so our sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing and restoration may come as spoken by God through the mouths of His holy prophets long ago. It is God, our Father’s every intention to keep us, reconcile us back to Him no matter how grievous are the state of our spiritual brokenness. All we need to do is to run to Him who will be willingly extending His loving arms to embrace us.

Rest

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

all I have needed Thy hand hath provided:

great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!