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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. XL.</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 waters of the sanctuary which this prophet saw in vision
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+47:1"><I>ch.</I> xlvii. 1</A>)
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are a proper representation of this prophecy. Hitherto the waters have
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been sometimes but to the ankles, in other places to the knees, or to
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the loins, but now the waters have risen, and have become "a river
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which cannot be passed over." Here is one continued vision, beginning
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at this chapter, to the end of the book, which is justly looked upon to
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be one of the most difficult portions of scripture in all the book of
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God. The Jews will not allow any to read it till they are thirty years
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old, and tell those who do read it that, though they cannot understand
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every thing in it, "when Elias comes he will explain it." Many
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commentators, both ancient and modern, have owned themselves at a loss
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what to make of it and what use to make of it. But because it is hard
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to be understood we must not therefore throw it by, but humbly search
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concerning it, get as far as we can into it and as much as we can out
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of it, and, when we despair of satisfaction in every difficulty we meet
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with, bless God that our salvation does not depend upon it, but that
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things necessary are plain enough, and wait till God shall reveal even
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this unto us. These chapters are the more to be regarded because the
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last two chapters of the Revelation seem to have a plain allusion to
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them, as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+20:1-15">Rev. xx.</A>
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has to the foregoing prophecy of Gog and Magog. Here is the vision of a
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glorious temple (in this chapter and
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+41:1-42:20"><I>ch.</I> xli. and xlii.</A>),
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of God's taking possession of it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:1-27"><I>ch.</I> xliii.</A>),
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orders concerning the priests that are to minister in this temple
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+44:1-31"><I>ch.</I> xliv.</A>),
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the division of the land, what portion should be allotted for the
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sanctuary, what for the city, and what for the prince, both in his
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government of the people and his worship of God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+45:1-25"><I>ch.</I> xlv.</A>),
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and further instructions for him and the people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+46:1-24"><I>ch.</I> xlvi.</A>
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After the vision of the holy waters we have the borders of the holy
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land, and the portions assigned to the tribes, and the dimensions and
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gates of the holy city,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+47:1-48:35"><I>ch.</I> xlvii., xlviii.</A>
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Some make this to represent what had been during the flourishing state
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of the Jewish church, how glorious Solomon's temple was in its best
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days, that the captives might see what they had lost by sin and might
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be the more humbled. But that seems not probable. The general scope of
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it I take to be,
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1. To assure the captives that they should not only return to their own
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land, and be settled there, which had been often promised in the
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foregoing chapters, but that they should have, and therefore should be
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encouraged to build, another temple, which God would own, and where he
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would meet them and bless them, that the ordinances of worship should
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be revived, and the sacred priesthood should there attend; and, though
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they should not have a king to live in such splendour as formerly, yet
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they should have a prince or ruler (who is often spoken of in this
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vision), who should countenance the worship of God among them and
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should himself be an example of diligent attendance upon it, and that
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prince, priests, and people, should have a very comfortable settlement
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and subsistence in their own land.
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2. To direct them to look further than all this, and to expect the
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coming of the Messiah, who had before been prophesied of under the name
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of David because he was the man that projected the building of the
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temple and that should set up a spiritual temple, even the
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gospel-church, the glory of which should far exceed that of Solomon's
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temple, and which should continue to the end of time. The dimensions
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of these visionary buildings being so large (the new temple more
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spacious than all the old Jerusalem and the new Jerusalem of greater
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extent than all the land of Canaan) plainly intimates, as Dr. Lightfoot
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observes, that these things cannot be literally, but must spiritually,
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understood. At the gospel-temple, erected by Christ and his apostles,
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was so closely connected with the second material temple, was erected
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so carefully just at the time when that fell into decay, that it might
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be ready to receive its glories when it resigned them, that it was
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proper enough that they should both be referred to in one and the same
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vision. Under the type and figure of a temple and altar, priests and
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sacrifices, is foreshown the spiritual worship that should be performed
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in gospel times, more agreeable to the nature both of God and man, and
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that perfected at last in the kingdom of glory, in which perhaps these
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visions will have their full accomplishment, and some think in some
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happy and glorious state of the gospel-church on this side heaven, in
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the latter days.</P>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have,
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I. A general account of this vision of the temple and city,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. A particular account of it entered upon; and a description given,
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1. Of the outside wall,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:5">ver. 5</A>.
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2. Of the east gate,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:6-19">ver. 6-19</A>.
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3. Of the north gate,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:20-23">ver. 20-23</A>.
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4. Of the south gate
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:24-31">ver. 24-31</A>)
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and the chambers and other appurtenances belonging to these gates.
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5. Of the inner court, both towards the east and towards the south,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:32-38">ver. 32-38</A>.
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6. Of the tables,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:39-43">ver. 39-43</A>.
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7. Of the lodgings for the singers and the priests,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:44-47">ver. 44-47</A>.
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8. Of the porch of the house,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:48,49">ver. 48, 49</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Eze40_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_4"> </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 In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the
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beginning of the year, in the tenth <I>day</I> of the month, in the
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fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame
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day the hand of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> was upon me, and brought me thither.
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2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel,
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and set me upon a very high mountain, by which <I>was</I> as the frame
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of a city on the south.
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3 And he brought me thither, and, behold, <I>there was</I> a man,
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whose appearance <I>was</I> like the appearance of brass, with a line
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of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the
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gate.
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4 And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes,
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and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I
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shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew <I>them</I> unto
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thee <I>art</I> thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to
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the house of Israel.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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1. The date of this vision. It was in the twenty-fifth year of
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Ezekiel's captivity
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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which some compute to be the thirty-third year of the first captivity,
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and is here said to be the <I>fourteenth year after the city was
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smitten.</I> See how seasonably the clearest and fullest prospects of
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their deliverance were given, when they were in the depth of their
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distress, and an assurance of the return of the morning when they were
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in the midnight of their captivity: "Then <I>the hand of the Lord was
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upon me</I> and <I>brought me thither</I> to Jerusalem, now that it was
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in ruins, desolate and deserted"--a pitiable sight to the prophet.
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2. The scene where it was laid. The prophet was brought, <I>in the
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visions of God, to the land of Israel,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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And it was not the first time that he had been brought thither in
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vision. We had him carried to Jerusalem to see it in its iniquity and
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shame
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+8:3"><I>ch.</I> viii. 3</A>);
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here he is carried thither to have a pleasing prospect of it in its
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glory, though its present aspect, now that it was quite depopulated,
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was dismal. He was set <I>upon a very high mountain,</I> as Moses upon
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the top of Pisgah, to view this land, which was now a second time a
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<I>land of promise,</I> not yet in possession. From the top of this
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mountain he saw <I>as the frame of a city,</I> the plan and model of
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it; but this city was a temple as large as a city. The <I>New
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Jerusalem</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:22">Rev. xxi. 22</A>)
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had <I>no temple therein;</I> this which we have here is <I>all
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temple,</I> which comes much to one. It is a city for men to dwell in;
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it is a temple for God to dwell in; for in the church on earth God
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dwells with men, in that in heaven men dwell with God. Both these are
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framed in the counsel of God, framed by infinite wisdom, and all very
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good.
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3. The particular discoveries of this city (which he had at first a
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general view of) were made to him by <I>a man whose appearance was like
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the appearance of brass</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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not a created angel, but Jesus Christ, who should be found in fashion
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as a man, that he might both discover and build the gospel-temple. He
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brought him to this city, for it is through Christ that we have both
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acquaintance with and access to the benefits and privileges of God's
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house. He it is that <I>shall build the temple of the Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+6:13">Zech. vi. 13</A>.
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His appearing like brass intimates both his brightness and his
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strength. John, in vision, saw <I>his feet like unto fine brass,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:15">Rev. i. 15</A>.
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4. The dimensions of this city or temple, and the several parts of it,
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were taken with a <I>line of flax</I> and a <I>measuring reed,</I> or
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<I>rod</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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as carpenters have both their line and a wooden measure. The temple of
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God is built by line and rule; and those that would let others into the
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knowledge of it must do it by that line and rule. The church is formed
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according to the scripture, <I>the pattern in the mount.</I> That is
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the line and the measuring reed that is in the hand of Christ. With
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that doctrine and laws ought to be measured, and examined by that; for
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then peace is upon the Israel of God when they <I>walk according to
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that rule.</I>
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5. Directions are here given to the prophet to receive this revelation
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from the Lord and transmit it pure and entire to the church,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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(1.) He must carefully observe every thing that was said and done in
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this vision. His attention is raised and engaged
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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"<I>Behold with thy eyes</I> all that is <I>shown thee</I> (do not only
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see it, but look intently upon it), and <I>hear with thy ears</I> all
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that is <I>said to thee;</I> diligently hearken to it, and be sure
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<I>to set thy heart upon it;</I> attend with a fixedness of thought and
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a close application of mind." What we see of the works of God, and what
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we hear of the word of God, will do us no good unless we set out hearts
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upon it, as those that reckon ourselves nearly concerned in it, and
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expect advantage to our souls by it.
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(2.) He must faithfully <I>declare it to the house of Israel,</I> that
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they may have the comfort of it. Therefore he receives, that he may
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give. Thus the <I>Revelation of Jesus Christ</I> was lodged in the
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hands of John, that he might signify it to the churches,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:1">Rev. i. 1</A>.
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And, because he is to declare it as a message from God, he must
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therefore be fully apprised of it himself and much affected with it.
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Note, Those who are to preach God's word to others ought to study it
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well themselves and set their hearts upon it. Now the reason given why
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he must both observe it himself and declare it to the house of Israel
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is because to this intent he is brought hither, and has it shown to
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him. Note, When the things of God are shown to us it concerns us to
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consider to what intent they are shown to us, and, when we are sitting
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under the ministry of the word, to consider to what intent we are
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brought thither, that we may answer the end of our coming, and may not
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receive the grace of God, in showing us such things, in vain.</P>
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<A NAME="Eze40_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Eze40_26"> </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>5 And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about,
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and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits <I>long</I> by
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the cubit and a hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the
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building, one reed; and the height, one reed.
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6 Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and
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went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the
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gate, <I>which was</I> one reed broad; and the other threshold <I>of the
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gate, which was</I> one reed broad.
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7 And <I>every</I> little chamber <I>was</I> one reed long, and one reed
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broad; and between the little chambers <I>were</I> five cubits; and
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the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within <I>was</I>
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one reed.
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8 He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.
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9 Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the
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posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate <I>was</I>
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inward.
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10 And the little chambers of the gate eastward <I>were</I> three on
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this side, and three on that side; they three <I>were</I> of one
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measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that
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side.
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11 And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten
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cubits; <I>and</I> the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.
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12 The space also before the little chambers <I>was</I> one cubit
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<I>on this side,</I> and the space <I>was</I> one cubit on that side: and
|
|
the little chambers <I>were</I> six cubits on this side, and six
|
|
cubits on that side.
|
|
13 He measured then the gate from the roof of <I>one</I> little
|
|
chamber to the roof of another: the breadth <I>was</I> five and twenty
|
|
cubits, door against door.
|
|
14 He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post
|
|
of the court round about the gate.
|
|
15 And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face
|
|
of the porch of the inner gate <I>were</I> fifty cubits.
|
|
16 And <I>there were</I> narrow windows to the little chambers, and
|
|
to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the
|
|
arches: and windows <I>were</I> round about inward: and upon <I>each</I>
|
|
post <I>were</I> palm trees.
|
|
17 Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, <I>there
|
|
were</I> chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about:
|
|
thirty chambers <I>were</I> upon the pavement.
|
|
18 And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the
|
|
length of the gates <I>was</I> the lower pavement.
|
|
19 Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower
|
|
gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, a hundred
|
|
cubits eastward and northward.
|
|
20 And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the
|
|
north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.
|
|
21 And the little chambers thereof <I>were</I> three on this side
|
|
and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches
|
|
thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length
|
|
thereof <I>was</I> fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty
|
|
cubits.
|
|
22 And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees,
|
|
<I>were</I> after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the
|
|
east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches
|
|
thereof <I>were</I> before them.
|
|
23 And the gate of the inner court <I>was</I> over against the gate
|
|
toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate
|
|
to gate a hundred cubits.
|
|
24 After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate
|
|
toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the
|
|
arches thereof according to these measures.
|
|
25 And <I>there were</I> windows in it and in the arches thereof
|
|
round about, like those windows: the length <I>was</I> fifty cubits,
|
|
and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
|
|
26 And <I>there were</I> seven steps to go up to it, and the arches
|
|
thereof <I>were</I> before them: and it had palm trees, one on this
|
|
side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The measuring-reed which was in the hand of the surveyor-general was
|
|
mentioned before,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here we are told
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>)
|
|
|
|
what was the exact length of it, which must be observed, because the
|
|
house was measured by it. It was <I>six cubits long,</I> reckoning, not
|
|
by the common cubit, but the <I>cubit of the sanctuary,</I> the sacred
|
|
cubit, by which it was fit that this holy house should be measured, and
|
|
that was a hand-breadth (that it, four inches) longer than the common
|
|
cubit: the common cubit was eighteen inches, this twenty-two, see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:13"><I>ch.</I> xliii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Yet some of the critics contend that this <I>measuring-reed</I> was but
|
|
six common cubits in length, and one handbreadth added to the whole.
|
|
The former seems more probable. Here is an account,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Of the outer wall of the house, which encompassed it round, which
|
|
was three yards thick and three yards high, which denotes the
|
|
separation between the church and the world on every side and the
|
|
divine protection which the church is under. If a wall of this vast
|
|
thickness will not secure it, God himself will be <I>a wall of fire
|
|
round about it;</I> whoever attack it will do so at their peril.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Of the several gates with the chambers adjoining to them. Here is
|
|
no mention of the outer court of all, which was called the <I>court of
|
|
the Gentiles,</I> some think because in gospel-times there should be
|
|
such a vast confluence of Gentiles to the church that their court
|
|
should be left unmeasured, to signify that the worshippers in that
|
|
court should be unnumbered,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:9,11,12">Rev. vii. 9, 11, 12</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He begins with the <I>east gate,</I> because that was the usual way
|
|
of entering into the lower end of the temple, the holy of holies being
|
|
at the west end, in opposition to the idolatrous heathen that
|
|
worshipped towards the east. Now, in the account of this gate, observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he went up to it by <I>stairs</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
for the gospel-church was exalted above that of the Old Testament, and
|
|
when we go to worship God we must ascend; so is the call,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+4:1">Rev. iv. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Come up hither. <I>Sursum corda--Up with your hearts.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That the chambers adjoining to the gates were but <I>little
|
|
chambers,</I> about ten feet square,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
These were for those to lodge in who attended the service of the house.
|
|
And it becomes such as are made spiritual priests to God to content
|
|
themselves with little chambers and not to seek great things to
|
|
themselves; so that we may but have a place within the verge of God's
|
|
court we have reason to be thankful though it be in a little chamber, a
|
|
mean apartment, though we be but door-keepers there.
|
|
|
|
(3.) The chambers, as they were each of them four-square, denoting
|
|
their stability and due proportion and their exact agreement with the
|
|
rule (for they were each of them one reed long and one reed broad), so
|
|
they were all of <I>one measure,</I> that there might be an equality
|
|
among the attendants on the service of the house.
|
|
|
|
(4.) The chambers were very many; for in our Father's house there are
|
|
<I>many mansions</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:2">John xiv. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
in his house above, and in that here on earth. In the secret of his
|
|
tabernacle shall those be hid, and in a safe pavilion, whose desire is
|
|
to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of their life,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+27:4,5">Ps. xxvii. 4, 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some make these chambers to represent the particular congregations of
|
|
believers, which are parts of the great temple, the universal church,
|
|
which are, and must be, framed by the scripture-line and rule, and
|
|
which Jesus Christ takes the measure of, that is, takes cognizance of,
|
|
for he walks in the midst of the seven golden candle-sticks.
|
|
|
|
(5.) It is said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>He made also the posts.</I> He that now measured them was the same
|
|
that made them; for Christ is the builder of his church and therefore
|
|
is best able to give us the knowledge of it. And his reducing them to
|
|
the rule and standard is called his making them, for no account is made
|
|
of them further than they agree with that. <I>To the law and to the
|
|
testimony.</I>
|
|
|
|
(6.) Here are posts of sixty cubits, which, some think, was literally
|
|
fulfilled when Cyrus, in his edict for rebuilding the temple at
|
|
Jerusalem, ordered that the height thereof should be sixty cubits, that
|
|
is, thirty yards and more,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+6:3">Ezra vi. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
(7.) Here were windows to the little chambers, and windows to <I>the
|
|
posts and arches</I> (that is, to the cloisters below), and <I>windows
|
|
round about</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
to signify the light from heaven with which the church is illuminated;
|
|
divine revelation is let into it for instruction, direction, and
|
|
comfort, to those that dwell in God's house, light to work by, light to
|
|
walk by, light to see themselves and one another by. There were lights
|
|
to the little chambers; even the least, and least considerable, parts
|
|
and members of the church, shall have light afforded them. <I>All thy
|
|
children shall be taught of the Lord.</I> But they are <I>narrow
|
|
windows,</I> as those in the temple,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:4">1 Kings vi. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
The discoveries made to the church on earth are but narrow and scanty
|
|
compared with what shall be in the future state, when we shall no
|
|
longer <I>see through a glass darkly.</I>
|
|
|
|
(8.) Divers courts are here spoken of, an outermost of all, then an
|
|
outer court, then an inner, and then the innermost of all, into which
|
|
the priests only entered, which (some think) may put us in mind "of the
|
|
diversities of gifts, and graces, and offices, in the several members
|
|
of Christ's mystical body here, as also of the several degrees of glory
|
|
in the courts and mansions of heaven, as there are stars in several
|
|
spheres and stars of several magnitudes in the fixed firmament."
|
|
<I>English Annotations.</I> Some draw nearer to God than others and
|
|
have a more intimate acquaintance with divine things; but to a child of
|
|
God a day in any of his courts is <I>better than a thousand</I>
|
|
elsewhere. These courts had porches, or piazzas, round them, for the
|
|
shelter of those that attended in them from wind and weather; for when
|
|
we are in the way of our duty to God we may believe ourselves to be
|
|
under his special protection, that he will graciously provide for us,
|
|
nay, that he will himself be to us <I>a covert from the storm and
|
|
tempest,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+4:5,6">Isa. iv. 5, 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
(9.) On the posts were palm-trees engraven
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
to signify that <I>the righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree</I>
|
|
in the courts of God's house,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+92:12">Ps. xcii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
The more they are depressed with the burden of affliction the more
|
|
strongly do they grow, as they say of the palm-trees. It likewise
|
|
intimates the saints' victory and triumph over their spiritual enemies;
|
|
they have <I>palms in their hands</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:9">Rev. vii. 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
but lest they should drop these, or have them snatched out of their
|
|
hands, they are here engraven upon the posts of the temple as perpetual
|
|
monuments of their honour. <I>Thanks be to God, who always causes us
|
|
to triumph.</I> Nay, believers shall themselves be made pillars in the
|
|
temple of our God, and shall <I>go no more out,</I> and shall have his
|
|
name engraven on them, which will be their brightest ornament and
|
|
honour,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:12">Rev. iii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
(10.) Notice is here taken of the pavement of the court,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
The word intimates that the pavement was made of
|
|
<I>porphyry--stone,</I> which was of the colour of <I>burning
|
|
coals;</I> for the brightest and most sparkling glories of this world
|
|
should be put and kept under our feet when we draw near to God and are
|
|
attending upon him. The stars are, as it were, the <I>burning
|
|
coals,</I> or stones of a <I>fiery colour,</I> with which the pavement
|
|
of God's celestial temple is laid; and, if the pavement of the court be
|
|
so bright and glittering, how glorious must we conclude the mansions of
|
|
that house to be!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The gates that looked towards the north
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>)
|
|
|
|
and towards the south
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
with their appurtenances, are much the same with that towards the east,
|
|
<I>after the measure of the first gate,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
But the description is repeated very particularly. And thus largely
|
|
was the structure of the tabernacle related in Exodus, and of the
|
|
temple in the books of Kings and Chronicles, to signify the special
|
|
notice God does take, and his ministers should take, of all that belong
|
|
to his church. His delight is in them; his eye is upon them. He knows
|
|
all that are his, all his living temples and all that belongs to them.
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) This temple had not only a gate towards the east, to let into it
|
|
the <I>children of the east,</I> that were famous for their wealth and
|
|
wisdom, but it had a gate to the north, and another to the south, for
|
|
the admission of the poorer and less civilized nations. The new
|
|
Jerusalem has <I>twelve gates,</I> three towards each quarter of the
|
|
world
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:13">Rev. xxi. 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
for many shall come from all parts to sit down there,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:11">Matt. viii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) To those gates they went up by steps, <I>seven steps</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:22-26"><I>v.</I> 22-26</A>),
|
|
|
|
which, as some observe, may remind us of the necessity of advancing in
|
|
grace and holiness, adding one grace to another, going from step to
|
|
step, <I>from strength to strength,</I> still pressing forward towards
|
|
perfection--upward, upward, towards heaven, the temple above.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Eze40_38"> </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>27 And <I>there was</I> a gate in the inner court toward the south:
|
|
and he measured from gate to gate toward the south a hundred
|
|
cubits.
|
|
28 And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and
|
|
he measured the south gate according to these measures;
|
|
29 And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and
|
|
the arches thereof, according to these measures: and <I>there were</I>
|
|
windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: <I>it was</I>
|
|
fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
|
|
30 And the arches round about <I>were</I> five and twenty cubits
|
|
long, and five cubits broad.
|
|
31 And the arches thereof <I>were</I> toward the utter court; and
|
|
palm trees <I>were</I> upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it
|
|
<I>had</I> eight steps.
|
|
32 And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and
|
|
he measured the gate according to these measures.
|
|
33 And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and
|
|
the arches thereof, <I>were</I> according to these measures: and
|
|
<I>there were</I> windows therein and in the arches thereof round
|
|
about: <I>it was</I> fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits
|
|
broad.
|
|
34 And the arches thereof <I>were</I> toward the outward court; and
|
|
palm trees <I>were</I> upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on
|
|
that side: and the going up to it <I>had</I> eight steps.
|
|
35 And he brought me to the north gate, and measured <I>it</I>
|
|
according to these measures;
|
|
36 The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the
|
|
arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length
|
|
<I>was</I> fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
|
|
37 And the posts thereof <I>were</I> toward the utter court; and
|
|
palm trees <I>were</I> upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on
|
|
that side: and the going up to it <I>had</I> eight steps.
|
|
38 And the chambers and the entries thereof <I>were</I> by the posts
|
|
of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these verses we have a delineation of the inner court. The survey of
|
|
the outer court ended with the south side of it. This of the inner
|
|
court begins with the south side
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
proceeds to the east
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
and so to the north
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>);
|
|
|
|
for here is no gate either of the outer or inner court towards the
|
|
<I>west.</I> It should seem that in Solomon's temple there were gates
|
|
westward, for we find porters towards the west,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+9:24,26:8">1 Chron. ix. 24; xxvi. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
But Josephus says that in the second temple there was no gate on the
|
|
west side. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. These gates into the inner court were exactly uniform with those
|
|
into the outer court, the dimensions the same, the chambers adjoining
|
|
the same, the galleries or rows round the court the same, and the very
|
|
engravings on the posts the same. The work of grace, and its workings,
|
|
are the same, for substance, in grown Christians that they are in young
|
|
beginners, only that the former have got so much nearer their
|
|
perfection. The faith of all the saints is alike precious, though it be
|
|
not alike strong. There is a great resemblance between one child of God
|
|
and another; for <I>all they are brethren</I> and bear the same image.
|
|
|
|
2. The ascent into the outer court at each gate was by <I>seven
|
|
steps,</I> but the ascent into the inner court at each gate was by
|
|
<I>eight steps.</I> This is expressly taken notice of
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:31,34,37"><I>v.</I> 31, 34, 37</A>),
|
|
|
|
to signify that the nearer we approach to God the more we should rise
|
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above this world and the things of it. The people, who worshipped in
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the outer court, must rise seven steps above other people, but the
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priests, who attended in the inner court, must rise eight steps above
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them, must exceed them at least one step more than they exceed other
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people.</P>
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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>39 And in the porch of the gate <I>were</I> two tables on this side,
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and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering
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and the sin offering and the trespass offering.
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40 And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the
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north gate, <I>were</I> two tables; and on the other side, which <I>was</I>
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at the porch of the gate, <I>were</I> two tables.
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41 Four tables <I>were</I> on this side, and four tables on that
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side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they slew
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<I>their sacrifices.</I>
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42 And the four tables <I>were</I> of hewn stone for the burnt
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offering, of a cubit and a half long, and a cubit and a half
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broad, and one cubit high: whereupon also they laid the
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instruments wherewith they slew the burnt offering and the
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sacrifice.
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43 And within <I>were</I> hooks, a hand broad, fastened round
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about: and upon the tables <I>was</I> the flesh of the offering.
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44 And without the inner gate <I>were</I> the chambers of the
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singers in the inner court, which <I>was</I> at the side of the north
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gate; and their prospect <I>was</I> toward the south: one at the side
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of the east gate <I>having</I> the prospect toward the north.
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45 And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect <I>is</I>
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toward the south, <I>is</I> for the priests, the keepers of the charge
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of the house.
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46 And the chamber whose prospect <I>is</I> toward the north <I>is</I>
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for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these
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<I>are</I> the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near
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to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> to minister unto him.
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47 So he measured the court, a hundred cubits long, and an
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hundred cubits broad, four-square; and the altar <I>that was</I> before
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the house.
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48 And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured
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<I>each</I> post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five
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cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate <I>was</I> three
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cubits on this side, and three cubits on that side.
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49 The length of the porch <I>was</I> twenty cubits, and the breadth
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eleven cubits; and <I>he brought me</I> by the steps whereby they went
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up to it: and <I>there were</I> pillars by the posts, one on this
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side, and another on that side.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these verses we have an account,</P>
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<P>
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I. Of the tables that were in the porch of the gates of the inner
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court. We find no description of the altars of burnt-offerings in the
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midst of that court till
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+39:43:13"><I>ch.</I> xliii. 13</A>.
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But, because the one altar under the law was to be exchanged for a
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multitude of tables under the gospel, here is <I>early notice</I> taken
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of the tables, at our entrance into the inner court; for till we come
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to partake of the <I>table of the Lord</I> we are but professors at
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large; our admission to that is our entrance into the inner court. But
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in this gospel-temple we meet with no altar till after the glory of the
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Lord has taken possession of it, for Christ is our altar, that
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sanctifies every gift. Here were eight tables provided, whereon to
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<I>slay the sacrifices,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>.
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We read not of any tables for this purpose either in the tabernacle or
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in Solomon's temple. But here they are provided, to intimate the
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multitude of spiritual sacrifices that should be brought to God's house
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in gospel-times, and the multitude of hands that should be employed in
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offering up those sacrifices. Here were the shambles for the altar;
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here were the dressers on which they laid the flesh of the sacrifice,
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the knives with which they cut it up, and the hooks on which they hung
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it up, that it might be ready to be offered on the altar
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>),
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and there also they washed the burnt-offerings
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>),
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to intimate that before we draw near to God's altar we must have every
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|
thing in readiness, must wash our hands, our hearts, those spiritual
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sacrifices, and so <I>compass God's altar.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. The use that some of the chambers mentioned before were put to.
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1. Some were for the <I>singers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>.
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It should seem they were first provided for before any other that
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|
attended this temple-service, to intimate, not only that the singing of
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|
psalms should still continue a gospel-ordinance, but that the gospel
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|
should furnish all that embrace it with abundant matter for joy and
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|
praise, and give them occasion to <I>break forth into singing,</I>
|
|
which is often foretold concerning gospel times,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+96:1,98:1">Ps. xcvi. 1; xcviii. 1</A>.
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Christians should be singers. <I>Blessed are those that dwell in God's
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|
house,</I> they will be <I>still praising him.</I>
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2. Others of them were for <I>the priests,</I> both those that kept
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|
<I>the charge of the house,</I> to cleanse it, and to see that none
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|
came into it to pollute it, and to keep it in good repair
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>),
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and those that <I>kept the charge of the altar</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>),
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that <I>came near to the Lord to minister to him.</I> God will find
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|
convenient lodging for all his servants. Those that do the work of his
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|
house shall enjoy the comforts of it.</P>
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<P>
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|
III. Of the inner court, the court of the priests, which was fifty
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|
yards square,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>.
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The altar that <I>was before the house</I> was placed in the midst of
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|
this court, over-against the three gates, and, standing in a direct
|
|
line with the three gates of the outer court, when the gates were set
|
|
open all the people in the outer court might through them be spectators
|
|
of the service done at the altar. Christ is both our altar and our
|
|
sacrifice, to whom we must look with an eye of faith in all our
|
|
approaches to God, and he is salvation in the midst of the earth
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|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+74:12">Ps. lxxiv. 12</A>),
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|
|
to be looked unto from all quarters.</P>
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|
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|
<P>
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|
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|
IV. Of the porch of the house. The temple is called the house,
|
|
emphatically, as if no other house were worthy to be called so. Before
|
|
this house there was a porch, to teach us not to rush hastily and
|
|
inconsiderately into the presence of God, but gradually, that is,
|
|
gravely, and with solemnity, passing first through the outer court,
|
|
then the inner, then the porch, ere we enter into the house. Between
|
|
this porch and the altar was a place where the priests used to pray,
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|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joe+2:17">Joel ii. 17</A>.
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|
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|
In the porch, besides the posts on which the doors were hung, there
|
|
were pillars, probably for state and ornament, like <I>Jachin</I> and
|
|
<I>Boaz--He will establish; in him is strength,</I>
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|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+40:49"><I>v.</I> 49</A>.
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|
In the gospel church every thing is strong and firm, and every thing
|
|
ought to be kept in its place and to be done decently and in order.</P>
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