David Bahn – Reflections

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Today’s readings: Ezekiel 40-42, Psalm 91.

Ezekiel 40:1-4

In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me to the city. ² In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south. ³ When he brought me there, behold, there was a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring reed in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway. ⁴ And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.”

I once thought I wanted to be an architect. I was fascinated by sharp pencils, protractors, straight edges, T-squares, and drafting paper. I wanted to draw buildings, design spaces, and deliver plans that would result in nice, neat facilities. That changed quickly when my high school advisor said, “You know that requires a lot of math.” I wasn’t necessarily afraid of math, per se. But I read between the lines. He didn’t think I had it in me to become an actual architect. I gave up on that dream.

I think he was right. As I read these chapters, my mind was numbed by all the numbers. Fifty cubits here, six long cubits making one reed there. And then there are vestibules, gates, courts, and chambers, each with its precise measurements. I can see why such detail would be important if an architect were trying to envision the structure Ezekiel describes.

In fact, I think the vision is given in such a way that we can imagine moving through the building. Ezekiel does exactly that. He is guided by the man with the measuring reed from one place to another, through gates and courts and chambers, toward the temple itself (Ezekiel 40:3–4). We aren’t simply told that there is a temple. We are taken on a tour of it.

But the purpose of all this is not simply to give Ezekiel, or anyone else, a blueprint to follow, though some might disagree. More on that later. The detailed measurements are not mainly about architecture, but about restoration. The temple Israel had defiled, and from which God’s glory had departed, is replaced in the vision by a holy dwelling prepared for God’s return (Ezekiel 8–11; 43:1–7). In short, Ezekiel 40–42 prepares a holy place for a holy God to dwell once again with His restored people. Restoration is in their future.

Some Christians take these and other passages in Ezekiel and Revelation quite literally. Just recently I listened to a podcast about the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This was the site of Solomon’s temple, and today the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic shrine, stands there. Some people actually talk about rebuilding the Temple on the Temple Mount. Perhaps they would want to follow Ezekiel’s measurements.

But I think Ezekiel is doing something much bigger than providing construction plans. This is all about preparing a place for God’s presence. Chapters 40–42 prepare us for the great event of chapter 43: the return of Yahweh’s glory to dwell among His people. The building matters because of the One who will dwell there.

And that makes me think of another dwelling place, described by Jesus with far less architectural detail but with a far greater promise. Jesus tells His disciples that in His Father’s house are many rooms. Then He says, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2, ESV). Ezekiel sees a dwelling being prepared for God to return to His people. Jesus turns the picture around. He prepares a dwelling for His people so that they may come to Him: “that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3, ESV). The Word has already come and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory (John 1:14). Now the risen Christ promises that the separation will not last forever. He is preparing a place where His redeemed people will dwell with Him. In the end, that is the hope behind all these measurements: God with His people, and His people with God, forever.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.