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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E Z E K I E L.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XLIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The prophet, having given us a view of the mystical temple, the
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gospel-church, as he received it from the Lord, that it might appear
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not to be erected in vain, comes to describe, in this and the next
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chapter, the worship that should be performed in it, but under the type
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of the Old-Testament services. In this chapter we have,
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I. Possession taken of this temple, by the glory of God filling it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>.
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II. A promise given of the continuance of God's presence with his
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people upon condition of their return to, and continuance in, the
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instituted way of worship, and their abandoning idols and idolatry,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:7-12">ver. 7-12</A>.
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III. A description of the altar of burnt-offerings,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:13-17">ver. 13-17</A>.
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IV. Directions given for the consecration of that altar,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:18-27">ver. 18-27</A>.
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Ezekiel seems here to stand between God and Israel, as Moses the
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servant of the Lord did when the sanctuary was first set up.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Eze43_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Vision of the Temple.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 574.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, <I>even</I> the gate that
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looketh toward the east:
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2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way
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of the east: and his voice <I>was</I> like a noise of many waters: and
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the earth shined with his glory.
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3 And <I>it was</I> according to the appearance of the vision which
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I saw, <I>even</I> according to the vision that I saw when I came to
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destroy the city: and the visions <I>were</I> like the vision that I
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saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.
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4 And the glory of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> came into the house by the way of
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the gate whose prospect <I>is</I> toward the east.
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5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner
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court; and, behold, the glory of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> filled the house.
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6 And I heard <I>him</I> speaking unto me out of the house; and the
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man stood by me.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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After Ezekiel has patiently surveyed the temple of God, the greatest
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glory of this earth, he is admitted to a higher form, and honoured with
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a sight of the glories of the upper world; it is said to him, <I>Come
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up hither.</I> He has seen the temple, and sees it to be very spacious
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and splendid; but, till the glory of God comes into it, it is but like
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the dead bodies he had seen in vision
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+37:1-28"><I>ch.</I> xxxvii.</A>),
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that had <I>no breath</I> till the Spirit of life entered into them.
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Here therefore he sees the house filled with God's glory.</P>
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<P>
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I. He has a vision of <I>the glory of God</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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<I>the glory of the God of Israel,</I> that God who is in covenant with
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Israel, and whom they serve and worship. The idols of the heathen have
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no glory but what they owe to the goldsmith or the painter; but this is
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the glory of the God of Israel. This glory <I>came from the way of the
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east,</I> and therefore he was brought to the <I>gate that leads
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towards the east,</I> to expect the appearance and approach of it.
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Christ's <I>star was seen in the east,</I> and he is that <I>other
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angel that ascends out of the east,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:2">Rev. vii. 2</A>.
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For he is the morning star, he is the sun of righteousness. Two things
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he observed in this appearance of the glory of God:--
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1. The power of his word which he heard: <I>His voice was like a noise
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of many waters,</I> which is heard very far, and makes impressions; the
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noise of purling streams is grateful, of a roaring sea dreadful,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:15,14:2">Rev. i. 15; xiv. 2</A>.
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Christ's gospel, in the glory of which he shines, was to be proclaimed
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aloud, the report of it to be heard far; to some it is a savour of
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life, to others of death, according as they are.
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2. The brightness of his appearance which he saw: <I>The earth shone
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with his glory;</I> for God is light, and none can bear the lustre of
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his light, none <I>has seen</I> nor <I>can see it.</I> Note, That glory
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of God which shines in the church shines on the world. When God
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appeared for David <I>the brightness that was before him</I> dispersed
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the clouds,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:12">Ps. xviii. 12</A>.
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This appearance of the glory of God to Ezekiel he observed to be the
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same with the vision he saw when he first received his commission
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+1:4"><I>ch.</I> i. 4</A>),
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<I>according to that by the river Chebar</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>);
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because God is the same, he was pleased to manifest himself in the same
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manner, for with him is <I>no variableness.</I> "It was the same" (says
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he) "as that which I saw <I>when I came to destroy the city,</I> that
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is, to foretel the city's destruction," which he did with such
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authority and efficacy, and the event did so certainly answer the
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prediction, that he might be said to destroy it. As a judge, in God's
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name, he passed a sentence upon it, which was soon executed. God
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appeared in the same manner when he sent him to speak words of terror
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and when he sent him to speak words of comfort; for in both God is and
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will be glorified. <I>He kills and he makes alive;</I> he <I>wounds and
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he heals,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+32:39">Deut. xxxii. 39</A>.
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To the same hand that destroyed we must look for deliverance. <I>He has
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smitten, and he will bind up. Una eademque manus vulnus opemque
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tulit--The same hand inflicted the wound and healed it.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. He has a vision of the entrance of this glory into the temple. When
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he saw this glory he <I>fell upon his face</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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as not <I>able</I> to bear the lustre of God's glory, or rather as one
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willing to give him the glory of it by a humble and reverent adoration.
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But the Spirit <I>took him up</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>)
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when the <I>glory of the Lord</I> had <I>come into the house</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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that he might see how the house was filled with it. He saw how the
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glory of the Lord in this same appearance departed from the temple,
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because it was profaned, to his great grief; now he shall see it return
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to the temple to his great satisfaction. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+10:18,19,11:23"><I>ch.</I> x. 18, 19; xi. 23</A>.
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Note, Though God may forsake his people for a small moment, he will
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return with everlasting loving-kindness. God's glory <I>filled the
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house</I> as it had filled the tabernacle which Moses set up and the
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temple of Solomon,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+40:34,1Ki+8:10">Exod. xl. 34; 1 Kings viii. 10</A>.
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Now we do not find that ever the Shechinah did in that manner take
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possession of the second temple, and therefore this was to have its
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accomplishment in that glory of the divine grace which shines so
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brightly in the gospel church, and fills it. Here is no mention of a
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cloud filling the house as formerly, for we now <I>with open face
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behold the glory of the Lord,</I> in the face of Christ, and not as of
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old through the cloud of types.</P>
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<P>
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III. He receives instructions more immediately from the glory of the
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Lord, as Moses did when God had taken possession of the tabernacle
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+1:1">Lev. i. 1</A>):
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<I>I heard him speaking to me out of the house,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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God's glory shining in the church, we must thence expect to receive
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divine oracles. <I>The man stood by me;</I> we could not bear to hear
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the voice of God any more than to see the face of God if Jesus Christ
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did not stand by us as Mediator. Or, if this was a created angel, it is
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observable that when God began to speak to Ezekiel he stood by and gave
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way, having no more to say. Nay, he stood by the prophet, as a learner
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with him; for <I>to the principalities and powers,</I> to the angels
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themselves, who <I>desire to look into</I> these things, <I>is known by
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the church the manifold wisdom of God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:10">Eph. iii. 10</A>.
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The man stood by him to conduct him thither where he might receive
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further discoveries,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+44:1"><I>ch.</I> xliv. 1</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Eze43_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze43_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Vision of the Temple.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 574.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and
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the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the
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midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall
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the house of Israel no more defile, <I>neither</I> they, nor their
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kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in
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their high places.
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8 In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and
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their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they
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have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they
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have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.
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9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of
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their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them
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for ever.
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10 Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that
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they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the
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pattern.
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11 And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them
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the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings
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out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms
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thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms
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thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write <I>it</I> in their sight,
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that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances
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thereof, and do them.
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12 This <I>is</I> the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain
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the whole limit thereof round about <I>shall be</I> most holy. Behold,
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this <I>is</I> the law of the house.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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God does here, in effect, renew his covenant with his people Israel,
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upon his retaking possession of the house, and Ezekiel negotiates the
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matter, as Moses formerly. This would be of great use to the captives
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at their return both for direction and encouragement; but it looks
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further, to those that are blessed with the privileges of the
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gospel-temple, that they may understand how they are before him on
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their good behaviour.</P>
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<P>
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I. God, by the prophet, puts them in mind of their former provocations,
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for which they had long lain under the tokens of his displeasure. This
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conviction is spoken to them to make way for the comforts designed
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them. Though God <I>gives and upbraids not,</I> it becomes us, when he
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forgives, to upbraid ourselves with our unworthy conduct towards him.
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Let them now remember therefore,
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1. That they had formerly <I>defiled God's holy name,</I> had profaned
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and abused all those sacred things by which he had made himself known
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among them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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<I>They and their kings</I> had brought contempt on the religion they
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professed, and their relation to God, by their spiritual whoredom,
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their idolatry, and by worshipping images, which they called <I>their
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kings</I> (for so <I>Moloch</I> signifies) or lords (for so <I>Baal</I>
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signifies), but which were really the <I>carcases of kings,</I> not
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only lifeless and useless, but loathsome and abominable as dead
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carcases, <I>in their high places,</I> set up in honour of them. They
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had defiled God's name by their abominations. And what were they? It
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was <I>in setting their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by
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my posts,</I> that is, adding their own inventions to God's
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institutions, and urging all to a compliance with them, as if they had
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been of equal authority and efficacy, <I>teaching for doctrines the
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commandments of men</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+29:13">Isa. xxix. 13</A>);
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or, rather, setting up altars to their idols even in the courts of the
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temple, than which a more impudent affront could not be put upon the
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divine Majesty. Thus they set up a separation <I>wall between him and
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them,</I> which stopped the current of his favours to them and spoiled
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the acceptableness of their services to him. See what an indignity
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sinners do to God, setting up their walls in opposition to his, and
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thrusting him out from what is his right; and see what injury they do
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to themselves, for the nearer any come to God with their sins the
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further they set him at a distance from them. Some give this sense of
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it: Though their houses joined close to God's house, their posts and
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thresholds to hi, so that they were in a manner his next neighbours,
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<I>there was but a wall between me and them</I> (so it is in the
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margin), so that it might have been expected they would acquaint
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themselves with him and be in care to please him, yet they were not so
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much as neighbourly. Note, It often proves too true, <I>The nearer the
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church the further from God.</I> They were, by profession, in covenant
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with God, and yet they had <I>defiled the place of his throne</I> and
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of <I>the soles of his feet,</I> his temple, where he did both reside
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and reign. Jerusalem is called the <I>city of the great king</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+48:2">Ps. xlviii. 2</A>)
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and his <I>footstool,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+99:5,132:7">Ps. xcix. 5; cxxxii. 7</A>.
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Note, When God's ordinances are profaned his holy name is polluted.
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2. That for this God had had a controversy with them in their late
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troubles. They could not condemn him, for he had but brought upon them
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the desert of their sins: <I>Wherefore I have consumed them in my
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anger.</I> Note, Those that pollute God's holy name fall under his just
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displeasure.</P>
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<P>
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II. He calls upon them to repent and reform, and, in order to that, to
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be ashamed of their iniquities
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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"<I>Now let them put away their whoredom;</I> now that they have
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smarted so severely for it, and now that God is returning in mercy to
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them and setting up his sanctuary again in the midst of them, now let
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them cast away their idols and have no more to do with them, that they
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may not again forfeit the privileges which they have been taught to
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know the worth of by the want of them. Let them put away their idols,
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those loathsome <I>carcases of their kings, far from me,</I> from being
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a provocation to me." This was seasonable counsel now that the prophet
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had the model or pattern of the temple to set before them; for,
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1. If <I>they see that pattern,</I> they will surely be ashamed of
|
|
their sins
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
when they see what mercy God has in store for them, notwithstanding
|
|
their utter unworthiness of it, they will be ashamed to think of their
|
|
disingenuous conduct towards him. Note, The goodness of God to us
|
|
should lead us to repentance, especially to a penitential shame. Let
|
|
<I>them measure the pattern</I> themselves, and see how much it exceeds
|
|
the former pattern, and guess by that what great things God has in
|
|
store for them; and surely it will put them out of countenance to think
|
|
what the desert of their sins was. And then,
|
|
|
|
2. If <I>they be ashamed</I> of their sins, they shall surely see more
|
|
of the pattern,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
If they <I>be ashamed of all that they have done,</I> upon a general
|
|
view of the goodness of God, let them have a more distinct particular
|
|
account of the temple. Note, Those that improve what they see and know
|
|
of the goodness of God shall see and know more of it. And then, and not
|
|
till then, we are qualified for God's favours, when we are truly
|
|
humbled for our own follies. "<I>Show them the form of the house;</I>
|
|
let them see what a stately structure it will be; and withal show them
|
|
the ordinances and laws of it." Note, With the foresights of our
|
|
comforts it is fit that we should get the knowledge of our duty; with
|
|
the privileges of God's house we must acquaint ourselves with the rules
|
|
of it. <I>Show them</I> these ordinances, that they may <I>keep
|
|
them</I> and <I>do them.</I> Note, <I>Therefore</I> we are made to know
|
|
our duty, that we may do it, and be blessed in our deed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He promises that they shall be such as they should be, and then he
|
|
will be to them such as they would have him to be,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. The house of <I>Israel shall no more defile my holy name.</I> This
|
|
is pure gospel. The precept of the law says, You must not defile my
|
|
name: the grace of the gospel says, You shall not. Thus what is
|
|
required in the covenant is promised in the covenant,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+32:40">Jer. xxxii. 40</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. Then <I>I will dwell in the midst of them for ever;</I> and the
|
|
same again
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
God secures to us his good-will be confirming in us his good work. If
|
|
we do not defile his name, we may be sure that he will not depart from
|
|
us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The general law of God's house is laid down
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
That, whereas formerly only the chancel, or sanctuary, was <I>most
|
|
holy,</I> now the whole <I>mountain of the house</I> shall be so; the
|
|
<I>whole limit thereof,</I> including all the courts and all the
|
|
chambers, shall be as the most holy place, signifying that in
|
|
gospel-times,
|
|
|
|
1. The whole church shall have the privilege of the <I>holy of
|
|
holies,</I> that of a near access to God. All believers have now, under
|
|
the gospel, <I>boldness to enter into the holiest</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:19">Heb. x. 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
with this advantage, that whereas the high priest entered in the virtue
|
|
of the blood of bulls and goats, we enter in the virtue of the blood of
|
|
Jesus, and, wherever we are, we have through him <I>access to the
|
|
Father.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. The whole church shall be under a mighty obligation to press
|
|
towards the perfection of holiness, <I>as he who has called us is
|
|
holy.</I> All must now be most holy. <I>Holiness becomes God's
|
|
house</I> for ever, and in gospel-times more than ever. Behold this is
|
|
the <I>law of the house;</I> let none expect the protection of it that
|
|
will not submit to this law.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze43_27"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Vision of the Temple.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 574.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 And these <I>are</I> the measures of the altar after the cubits:
|
|
The cubit <I>is</I> a cubit and a hand breadth; even the bottom
|
|
<I>shall be</I> a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border
|
|
thereof by the edge thereof round about <I>shall be</I> a span: and
|
|
this <I>shall be</I> the higher place of the altar.
|
|
14 And from the bottom <I>upon</I> the ground <I>even</I> to the lower
|
|
settle <I>shall be</I> two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from
|
|
the lesser settle <I>even</I> to the greater settle <I>shall be</I> four
|
|
cubits, and the breadth <I>one</I> cubit.
|
|
15 So the altar <I>shall be</I> four cubits; and from the altar and
|
|
upward <I>shall be</I> four horns.
|
|
16 And the altar <I>shall be</I> twelve <I>cubits</I> long, twelve broad,
|
|
square in the four squares thereof.
|
|
17 And the settle <I>shall be</I> fourteen <I>cubits</I> long and
|
|
fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about
|
|
it <I>shall be</I> half a cubit; and the bottom thereof <I>shall be</I> a
|
|
cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.
|
|
18 And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>;
|
|
These <I>are</I> the ordinances of the altar in the day when they
|
|
shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle
|
|
blood thereon.
|
|
19 And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of
|
|
the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me,
|
|
saith the Lord G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>, a young bullock for a sin offering.
|
|
20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put <I>it</I> on
|
|
the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and
|
|
upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge
|
|
it.
|
|
21 Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he
|
|
shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the
|
|
sanctuary.
|
|
22 And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats
|
|
without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the
|
|
altar, as they did cleanse <I>it</I> with the bullock.
|
|
23 When thou hast made an end of cleansing <I>it,</I> thou shalt
|
|
offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock
|
|
without blemish.
|
|
24 And thou shalt offer them before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and the priests
|
|
shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up <I>for</I> a
|
|
burnt offering unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
25 Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat <I>for</I> a sin
|
|
offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out
|
|
of the flock, without blemish.
|
|
26 Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and
|
|
they shall consecrate themselves.
|
|
27 And when these days are expired, it shall be, <I>that</I> upon
|
|
the eighth day, and <I>so</I> forward, the priests shall make your
|
|
burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I
|
|
will accept you, saith the Lord G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
This relates to the altar in this mystical temple, and that is mystical
|
|
too; for Christ is our altar. The Jews, after their return out of
|
|
captivity, had an altar long before they had a temple,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+3:3">Ezra iii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
But this was an altar in the temple. Now here we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The measures of the altar,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was six yards square at the top and seven yards square at the
|
|
bottom; it was four yards and a half high; it had a lower bench or
|
|
shelf, here called a <I>settle,</I> a yard from the ground, on which
|
|
some of the priests stood to minister, and another two yards above
|
|
that, on which others of them stood, and these were each of them half a
|
|
yard broad, and had ledges on either side, that they might stand firmly
|
|
upon them. The sacrifices were killed at the table spoken of before,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:39"><I>ch.</I> xl. 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
What was to be burnt on the altar was given up to those on the lower
|
|
bench, and handed by them to those on the higher, and they laid it on
|
|
the altar. Thus in the service of God we must be assistant to one
|
|
another.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The ordinances of the altar. Directions are here given,
|
|
|
|
1. Concerning the dedication of the altar at first. <I>Seven days</I>
|
|
were to be spent in the dedication of it, and every day sacrifices were
|
|
to be offered upon it, and particularly a goat for a
|
|
<I>sin-offering</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
besides a young bullock for a <I>sin-offering</I> on the first day
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
which teaches us in all our religious services to have an eye to Christ
|
|
the great sin-offering. Neither our persons nor our performances can be
|
|
acceptable to God unless sin be taken away, and that cannot be taken
|
|
away but by the blood of Christ, which both sanctifies the altar (for
|
|
Christ entered by his own blood,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:12">Heb. ix. 12</A>)
|
|
|
|
and the gift upon the altar. There were also to be a <I>bullock</I> and
|
|
a ram offered for a <I>burnt-offering</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
which was intended purely for the glory of God, to teach us to have an
|
|
eye to that in all our services; we present ourselves as living
|
|
sacrifices, and our devotions as spiritual sacrifices, that we and they
|
|
may be to him for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory. The
|
|
dedication of the altar is here called the <I>cleansing</I> and
|
|
<I>purging</I> of it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:20,26"><I>v.</I> 20, 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ, our altar, though he had no pollution to be cleansed from, yet
|
|
sanctified himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:19">John xvii. 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
and when we consecrate the altars of our hearts to God, to have the
|
|
fire of holy love always burning upon them, we must see that they be
|
|
purified and cleansed from the love of the world and the lusts of the
|
|
flesh. It is observable that there are several differences between the
|
|
rites of dedication here and those which were appointed
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+29:1-46">Exod. xxix.</A>,
|
|
|
|
to intimate that the ceremonial institutions were mutable things, and
|
|
the changes in them were earnests of their period in Christ. Only here,
|
|
according to the general law, that all the sacrifices must be seasoned
|
|
with salt
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+2:13">Lev. ii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
particular orders are given
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>)
|
|
|
|
that the priests shall <I>cast salt upon the sacrifices. Grace</I> is
|
|
the <I>salt</I> with which all our religious performances must be
|
|
seasoned,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+4:6">Col. iv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
An everlasting covenant is called a <I>covenant of salt,</I> because it
|
|
is incorruptible. The <I>glory</I> reserved for us is incorruptible and
|
|
undefiled; and the <I>grace</I> wrought in us is the hidden man of the
|
|
heart in that <I>which is not corruptible.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Concerning the constant use that should be made of it, when it was
|
|
dedicated: <I>Henceforward</I> the priests shall <I>make their
|
|
burnt-offerings and peace-offerings upon this altar</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
for <I>therefore</I> it was <I>sanctified,</I> that it might
|
|
<I>sanctify the gift</I> that was offered upon it. Observe further,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Who were to serve at the altar: The <I>priests of the seed of
|
|
Zadok,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
That family was substituted in the room of Abiathar by Solomon, and God
|
|
confirms it. His name signifies <I>righteous,</I> for they are the
|
|
righteous seed that are priests to God, through Christ <I>the Lord our
|
|
righteousness.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) How they should prepare for this service
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They shall consecrate themselves,</I> shall <I>fill their hand</I>
|
|
with the offerings, in token of the giving up of themselves with their
|
|
offerings to God and to his service. Note, Before we minister to the
|
|
Lord in holy things we must consecrate ourselves by getting our hands
|
|
and hearts filled with those things.
|
|
|
|
(3.) How they should speed in it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will accept you.</I> And if God now accept our works, if our
|
|
services be pleasing to him, it is enough, we need no more. Those that
|
|
give themselves to God shall be accepted of God, their persons first
|
|
and then their performances, through the Mediator.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
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