PERFECT EXISTENCE / GOD’S REQUIREMENT OF MAN

A Sermon on Ezekiel’s Vision of the Temple (Chapters 40–47)

Primary Text: Ezekiel 40:47 — ”And he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar was before the house.”

Supporting Texts: Genesis 2:7–9; Matthew 6:31–33; Hebrews 10:19–20; Revelation 21–22

I. INTRODUCTION — Two Tiers of Existence

Beloved, the Book of Ezekiel from chapters 40 to 47 presents to us the city and the temple of God in glorious vision. And here is the great truth: this is all that man needs to please God — food and raiment.

But let us understand properly. We have a two-tier existence: body and soul. And that is what Ezekiel 40–47 is all about. The city is to dwell in; the temple is to worship in. Body and soul. Provision and praise. God has made us for both, and He has made provision for both.

II. THE PRECISION OF PREPARATION

First, we notice the precision of the preparation to erect these edifices. Everything is measured to the single cubit. The description of the three gates — east, north, south — inner and outer gates, the chambers for the littlest to the large, the towers. All is measured with exactitude .

The court is described as a perfect square: one hundred cubits long and one hundred cubits wide . In biblical architecture, the square signals completeness, stability, and perfection . The altar is placed directly in front of the temple .

What does this tell us? It points to the precise requirement of God for us in living and worshiping. We cannot deviate from what God has provided, especially in worship. ”Take with you words” (Hosea 14:2), and the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities (Romans 8:26). He helps our prayers to be presented before our Maker — just as an ordinary man cannot appear before a judge in court without a barrister.

What about those who deviate? They are outside the kingdom and bear the brunt of consequences — outside the protection of God, at risk of marauders and wild beasts. Later, the west gate is also brought into the picture for water (sustenance) and the sea (the global scope of God’s provision).

III. GOD’S CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE

Secondly, we observe — and this should have been first really — that God cares for His people.

We do not read that He gave these precise instructions to Assyria. Let them build their own. Man has the capacity to design and create buildings. We read that from the beginning Cain built cities, despite the mark put upon him (Genesis 4:17).

A father may provide for his children and then at the end of his life wonder — like King Solomon — what sort of children they would be. Squanderers or builders? But God, in perfection, built Himself. He is the Preserver. Therefore He makes us anew, so that we are no longer children of Belial. And through chastisements and rewards, He keeps us on the straight and narrow by the power of His hand, which cannot fail.

IV. GOD WORKS FOR HIS PEOPLE

Thirdly, we glean that God works for His people.

Yes, we read that He rested on the seventh day as a symbol for us. But Christ came to shed light on this: ”My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). The Spirit came on Pentecost as a rushing mighty wind. So the Lord’s work of redemption and acceptance of worship is ongoing.

The devil roams about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). But Christ intervened for Peter, and so He continues to do for His people. It is clear that He lets us mingle in the work — though the angel had the measuring stick in his hand as Ezekiel watched and wrote this down .

The angel is described as ”a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed” (Ezekiel 40:3). Significantly, the standard is not put into Ezekiel’s hand. Christ — who is this man — keeps the reed in His own hand as the only fit person to take the measures of all .

V. THE WORKS OF HIS HANDS

Fourthly, we observe, as did Ezekiel, the works of His hands.

”The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1). Day unto day uttereth speech in all languages. No one can claim, “Oh, I hadn’t enough to prove God exists.” If the birds can hymn praise every morning, then we are without excuse.

Even the law of the land claims — belied by the existence of conscience — that ignorance of the law is no excuse. Ezekiel was under no illusion that he beheld divine things. And so are we when we behold the things of God. His works are apparent for all to see. Especially His work of salvation, which was not hid.

It is remarkable that in the lands of folklore and storytelling under the tree, two thousand years later, women still told their children in the deep south of Africa of the day when Christ was crucified — of the day turned to night for three hours. Just in case you thought that only happened in Jerusalem.

VI. THE DURATION AND EXTENT

Then we see the duration and extent to which this vision went — eight chapters detailing the living and the worship aspect of our existence.

For those who squabble about the mode of worship, claiming there is no prescription in the Bible — though we are to worship anew, as alluded to by the reference to Pentecost — we are to worship as per prescription. The details here are astonishing: the different aspects of the sacrifices for sin (those who fail to mention sin in their congregation — well, the Bible is not in omission of sin). Meat offerings, new moon offerings, princes and commoner alike are to come and offer before God. No exception.

Yet some are just too good to worship God. You also have the plethora of ingredients brought in sacrificial worship: meat, oil, flour. Though some dare suggest we do not eat, that is not how God sees it. We are required to eat — and to eat what God provided for us — and to offer some of that back to those who are wholly given to service of Him.

VII. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE REQUIREMENTS

Then we see how important the requirements are. The angel is doing the measurement. Yes, it is a vision. But no man is allowed here in the actual measurement and building — only the angel. Not that Ezekiel was an ignoramus or incompetent, but that God takes His cares and demands of worship seriously. It had to be seen that it was done properly. No error of man allowed in that realm of God when He displays Himself through His word — as some men intervene and provide false prophecies for which God did not send.

Some say, “I did the measuring. I did the providing.” Not here. We see Ezekiel telling us the true vision God showed in writing faithfully. An angel measured and pronounced what was required.

VIII. THE LAND AND THE TRIBES

There is also the description of the tribes and the land mass allocated with precise borders — continuing the theme of provision. Lands had to be tilled for food and allocated, handed down from one generation to the next for posterity’s sake.

Our care is never far away from the One with whom we have to do. Whether we acknowledge Him or not, He provides for us. And it will be the more disastrous for us if we continue to ignore Him until the end. Seeing that we are compassed about with so great a witness — including that these provisions were there to speak of a Provider — whom we spent our entire life ignoring, will hurt even more.

Think of someone who spent their life half-starved for years, only to realise that all that while he walked past a particular bakery, whose produce he always hankered for, was offering free bread. He had observed it, saw the sign, but never acted on it — out of disbelief or nonchalance or never really fully caring for himself. Self-neglect.

Consider the story of a ship stranded at sea in the Americas which had been drifting for months. They saw another ship, still at a distance, and sounded out for water to drink. The other ship sounded back that they should take and drink. “Drink?” they said. “Sea salt water? We will die!” It turned out that for months they had been drifting on fresh water because the Amazon River was so huge — almost like Chapter 47 here — that it pushes the sea water so far back. They were on the sea yet still on the great Amazon River. They found someone to tell them so. You are told here. But they drank — though they could have been too knowledgable and not drink and die of thirst.

”Why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11). O son of Adam, as you continue to ignore God’s provision, taking Him for granted and painfully disregarding all the evidence of Him around you.

IX. THE WATER OF LIFE

The water in Chapter 47 is a symbol of internationalism and the openness of the Word to all mankind, including Israel. The angel brought Ezekiel to the temple entrance, and he saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east . This river of life flowed down to the Dead Sea, and where it flowed, the briny waters were transformed into sweet water that supported life .

The river grew as it flowed: first ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then waist-deep, then a deep swollen river impossible to cross . This pictures the progress of the gospel — from a small stream to a worldwide torrent. The angel asked, ”Son of man, do you see this?” (Ezekiel 47:6) .

Healing indicates the sickness existing in our realm. Fresh water to salt water — the circle of water, the source of life. Christ is a fountain to the needy sinner. The international allusion of strangers coming into the place, plus Israelites who have this notion of superiority rather than awe and gratitude — that the Lord delights to dwell and have compassion, as the Lord repeatedly exhorts man to extend to another from places of privilege to the needy.

Whether rich to poor — unlike the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16) or the rich fool whose barn was full (Luke 12) or Nabal, who through surliness lost his life and wife (1 Samuel 25).

X. THE LONG HOME

Man goeth to his long home (Ecclesiastes 12:5). If God can take so much care of us in this realm, it is certain that the heavenly home is sure and prepared as He prescribes. Why would He go to such length to explain the immense importance of the structure, style, and usage of this living and worship quarters — all of which give us ample insight into His mindset — if He did not intend to fulfill it?

When He speaks of a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21–22), we can be rest assured He speaks truth. God has always had in mind the worship of His people — hence the expanse of His creation and the goodness of it. The length He went is apparent: He did not create in one day and rest in six — He expended effort. Therefore He expects effort from us.

I recall a man who was our good boss. He would come to the office in the middle of the night to see that things were being prepared, though he was there during the day also. My colleague would exclaim, “You see your boss picking up paper for the bin — would you sit idle?” God worked, so we must work. And He exhorted that ”if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). No freeloaders. No bad examples and pollutions of the land.

XI. MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE

”Let us make man in our own image” (Genesis 1:26). Now, would you foil your own handiwork? Rather, men are overmuch protective of their earnings. Hardly does a man work hard for something and then squander it — it happens, but it is not common. If we create a company, we are so protective of it. Our pride and joy — we brag, preserve, boast, protect.

We are made in God’s image, so we are characteristically like Him. Therefore He will not let the evil one, out of spite, destroy His handiwork — His good handiwork. And in Eden He promised that He would come and keep and protect His own. Which He did in Christ, who took on flesh to provide and preserve and take home a people for Himself. That He took on flesh is a solid and unwavering promise that His handiwork is sealed. There is no turning back now. As the saying goes, when Caesar crossed the Rubicon, the die was cast.

XII. THE SEVENTH DAY REST

God rested the seventh day from all His work of creation (Genesis 2:2). Imagine living on an island or in a void — your existence based only on what you have in your surroundings. That is what this world is. We are confined but not restrained from what God has provided. But what a provision!

If one were to examine the professions, hobbies, interests, the developments down the ages, the future to come as we enter into a different age of technology use and its proliferation, the new abilities to venture out individually, the exciting opportunities to fly in affordable machines, improving security using aerial technology, the new age of asymmetric warfare, economic bargaining and alliances, learning potentials, and the availability of materials that were only accessible to the elite just a few years ago — all these make heaven believable.

For if you observe, there seems a progression toward our heavenly state from the fall — for the redeemed. But a fearful return to oppression and darkness and decay and deprivation for the lost.

”Why will ye die, O house of Israel? Why will ye perish, O son of Adam?” Why will you observe and wonder and be awed at the plethora of gifts and graces available to you, yet turn away from the Provider as a stiff-necked generation?

We read prior and further of how the land flowing with milk and honey — those who stuck to the idolatry of Egypt failed to enter the land divided by God to the tribes, with strangers welcome. It is akin to heaven under the twenty-four elders, divided amongst the numbered — 144,000 — a symbolic value for the great number of the redeemed.

Indeed, God rested. But for Him, work and rest are synonymous. The rest is a language for us to imbibe, meant for the mortal. For God, whose ways and thoughts are far above ours, immortality has made for us the beauty of the realm to enjoy in the purity of holiness. Anything else is weighty, dreaded, and under the duress of a heavy conscience, as we are under our duties, but lured away because of our love of sin — which should be suppressible by our love of the Lord and holiness.

XIII. PERFECT IN THE SECOND ADAM

God is perfect. His ways are clearly so. We fell in the first Adam but are made perfect again in the second Adam — the Lord Jesus Christ. At conversion, we received a new birth: the rejuvenation of the inner man, the soul. So our spirit, dead in its communication to God, is revived.

Yet we are left with a wretched body — which shall be renewed on the great day of the assize.

Can you claim the same whilst it is yet day? For the night cometh when no man can turn and are sealed in their unbelief. Claim now. Come to Him in repentance. Leave this love of sin and the world behind. For ”it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Also, ”seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33) — food, raiment, joy, peace, love in the Holy Ghost. Else you have no part in Him.

XIV. CONCLUSION — The Desire of God for Man

The desire of existence of man by God is to dwell upon earth — a new heaven and a new earth — to dwell in proximity of worship.

Well said the Lord: ”Ye worship in this temple, but there cometh a time when everywhere shall men worship” (John 4:21–24). Fulfilled now, and better fulfilled in the new heavens and new earth shown in these chapters, in that close proximity between the dwellings and the temple of the living God.

The water flowed from the sanctuary — a picture of the Holy Spirit pouring out from the true temple, which is Christ and His church. It started as a trickle and became a torrent . And where it flowed, everything lived.

Today, that river flows still. It is ankle-deep for those beginning to walk with God. Knee-deep for those bowed in prayer. Waist-deep for those bearing fruit. And over the head for those who have surrendered wholly to the Spirit’s flow .

Will you step into the river? Will you enter the city? Will you worship at the temple?

For God has measured it all. The altar stands before the house. And the blood of the Lamb — the perfect sacrifice — has been shed once for all.

”Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us” (Hebrews 10:19–20).

Come to the city. Come to the temple. Come to the water of life.

Amen.

— -

Soli Deo Gloria