Ezekiel 40:1-35

EZEKIEL—NOTE ON Ezekiel 40:1 Vision of Restoration. With the last date in the book appearing at Ezekiel 40:1, Ezekiel arrives at the beginning of the end. The book’s final vision establishes God’s absolute supremacy among his people. The vision of chs. Ezekiel 40:1 is a direct counterpart to the pre-destruction vision in chs. Ezekiel 8:1, in which the wickedness practiced in Jerusalem drove the holy God from his temple. In chs. Ezekiel 40:1, Ezekiel is again taken on a tour, this time of the new temple, leading to the return of the glory of God (Ezekiel 43:1). The voice of the Lord instructs Ezekiel in the regulations for Israel’s renewed worship life (Ezekiel 43:6). When the “tour” resumes, Ezekiel witnesses the river flowing from the temple, which brings life to the world (Ezekiel 46:19). The book concludes with the division of the land among the tribes, with the new city and new temple at its heart, with equal access for all (Ezekiel 47:13). The vision describes the actual presence of God within the temple. Chapters Ezekiel 40:1 prepare for this; ch. Ezekiel 43:1 records God’s actual return to the temple; chs. Ezekiel 44:1 provide the rules for worship in God’s presence; ch. Ezekiel 47:1 describes its effects; and ch. Ezekiel 48:1 describes access to the temple. The vision thus builds on themes of earlier oracles: the supremacy of God; the requirements demanded by his holiness; revitalization by his Spirit; honoring God by living in holiness; and preserving the purity of the community by maintaining divine justice.