Ezekiel 43:3-4

This *vision caused Ezekiel to remember two previous occasions when he saw God’s *glory. The *vision by the river Chebar was in chapter 1. And the other *vision was in chapter 10. On that second occasion, Ezekiel saw God’s *glory leave the original *temple in Jerusalem. It was terrible that such a thing had to happen. But God’s *glory had to leave, because the people’s *sins had become so great. It was impossible for them to avoid their punishment. God’s *glory would not continue to protect Jerusalem.

The Book of Ezekiel is a record of people’s *sin, its results and their punishment. Ezekiel wrote it during the worst period in *Israel’s history. And when Ezekiel had this last *vision, *Israel’s situation seemed hopeless.

But Ezekiel’s last *vision was a promise that gave hope. God’s *glory had left the original *temple by the east gate (10:19). And Ezekiel saw it return by the same gate. God still cared about his people. They were in *exile. But God still cared. Their situation seemed hopeless. But God still cared. He still wanted to live among them. He still wanted to be their God. He would bring about the end of their punishment. He would establish them as a *holy nation.

Ezekiel fell to the ground. He became aware of how *holy God is. Perhaps the *glory was so great that Ezekiel was unable to stand. Or perhaps Ezekiel did not want to stand. He wanted to be humble in front of the *glory of God. So Ezekiel lay down with his face on the ground.