Study 30 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 40:48 –
41:26
1.
Follow
with the aid of diagrams 1 and 2 the prophet’s further examination of the
Temple, as he comes first to the sanctuary itself, with its vestibule and two
pillars (40:48, 49), holy place (‘nave’, 41:1), most holy place (‘Inner room’,
41:3, 4), and side chambers or cells built in three storeys (41:5-11). The
interior of the sanctuary is described in 41:15b-26.
2.
Note
that Ezekiel, as a priest (1:3; cf. 44:16), entered into the vestibule and the
holy place, but not into the most holy place (41:3: 4). Why did he not enter
the most holy place? Contrast our privileges in Christ. See Heb. 9:6-9, 24;
10:19-22.
3.
There
were palm-trees both in the inner sanctuary (41:18-20), and also on the
gate-posts of the outer and inner courts (40:16, 22, 31). So, also in Solomon’s
Temple (see 1 Ki. 6:29; 7:36). Applying this to the temple of our lives, what
does it suggest both as to the hidden life of communion with God, and the outer
life seen by all? Cf. Ps. 92:12-14; Je. 17:7, 8.
Notes
1.
Verse
7. The meaning is that at each storey the walls facing the cells were made less
thick, to leave a ledge for the beams to rest on, and thus the rooms on each
floor were a little broader than the rooms below.
2.
Verse
11b. The sanctuary stood upon a raised platform six cubits higher than the
level of the inner court (verse 8), and occupied the whole platform except for
a marginal strip running round three sides on the outer edge.
3.
Verses
12-14. Another strip of ground, at the level of the inner court, encompassed
the sanctuary platform, and is here called ‘the temple yard’. It marked off the
sanctuary from other buildings nearby. (other buildings are mentioned in
42:1-14; 46:19, 20).
4.
Verse
22. The table here spoken of, which looked like an altar of word, was probably
the table of shewbread.
