“As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple, and he said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies of their kings at their high places.” (Ezekiel 43:4-7)
This feels like the punchline of all these measurements. Ultimately, God was revealing to Ezekiel the details of the place he would once again dwell among Israel.
The first thing that stood out to me was that the glory of the Lord will enter from the east. When the glory of the Lord departed the temple, He left toward the east (Ezekiel 10). Similarly, when Jesus ascended to heaven, He took off from the Mt of Olives, the mountain to the east of the Temple. (Acts 1)
The second thing that stands out is that this is the place where God will dwell with Israel FOREVER! Things have come full circle. God dwelt among His people, but they rebelled against Him. He sent them away as punishment. Then, He promised to regather them in their land. Now, He says He will dwell with them forever. That means Israel will be redeemed and restored. This is the group into which we will be grafted in (Romans 9-11)!
Father, thank you for the promise of redemption. Help me live today like I believe I will dwell with you forever. Amen.
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