“Son of man, describe to the people of Israel the Temple I have shown you, so they will be ashamed of all their sins. Let them study its plan, and they will be ashamed of what they have done. Describe to them all the specifications of the Temple—including its entrances and exits—and everything else about it. Tell them about its decrees and laws. Write down all these specifications and decrees as they watch so they will be sure to remember and follow them. And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness! The entire top of the mountain where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the basic law of the Temple. [Ezekiel 43.10-12]
The details of the Temple construction described here in this section of Ezekiel remain as a point to ponder! The people were to study the plan of the Temple with the expected result to be shame for their sinfulness, which was described in verse 7 preceding as "...their adulterous worship of other gods or by honoring the relics of their kings who have died.
One more time, we are brought back to the First Commandment:
“You shall have no other gods before Me. [Exodus 20.3]
Could it be that the plans for the Temple described in Ezekiel are not so much about what is included in the plans as much as what is not included in the plans? For sure, other gods or relics of dead kings were never described in the details of the construction of this Temple! It's just a thought...
It seems out of the ordinary that the details of a building plan would cause "shame." Should this not cause us great concern as we read these details today with no emotion, no conviction, and no understanding whatsoever?
Father, help me to re-think these details described in Ezekiel of Your Temple. Help me to also understand wording found therein describing the infinite tenure of this Temple ("forever"):
The LORD said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will live here forever among the people of Israel. They and their kings will not defile my holy name any longer by their adulterous worship of other gods or by honoring the relics of their kings who have died. [Ezekiel 43.7]
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