Temple measurements again?! And this one wasn’t even real! These chapters are boring with a capital B to us, but would have been a great source of hope to their first readers. Those people were demoralized from their total defeat and destruction of their homeland, but the destruction of the Temple was devastating to them. Remember, that Temple had been a source of hope for them, because they believed that God wouldn’t allow its destruction. Even the exiles had hope as long as the Temple stood; once it was gone they had none, and hope is critical. With all the detail given of this temple, they couldn’t miss that God was sincere in His intention to return them to their Promised Land and relationship with Him. They probably would have thrilled to the details that are so dull to us. So appreciate the dull reading for that reason.
Along with the description of the Temple came requirements for them to observe, and almost all are reiterations of the Law given by Moses, with some minor changes. Thankfully, the level of detail is not nearly as great as the Mosaic Law was. Again, the details that are there would have been reassuring to God’s people. From where they were, they feared that God was done with them, would want nothing to do with them. Instead, He gave them another chance. How they would have treasured those requirements because of the restored relationship they represented!
Some people think that the temple described by Ezekiel is something that awaits God’s people in the future; that is, it is still future relative to us. However, the references to animal sacrifices make it clear that it is not. Don’t be confused by God’s talking about dwelling in that place in Israel’s midst forever, for this temple with its provision for animal sacrifices, is not for the Church’s worship of God.
God’s talk of forever meant that He was giving them another chance, a do-over. The second chance wasn’t a lesser version of the first one that they had blown; no, it was the same forever opportunity that the first one was. It also corresponded with the same requirements as the first. They were expected to observe all the laws associated with the temple worship. With the privilege of relationship with God comes responsibility.
The teaching for God’s Old Testament people in these chapters should not be missed by God’s New Testament people: God truly is a God of second chances for those who are ashamed of their sin and are willing to conform to God’s way. If you are one who has needed a second chance, realize that God is not only willing to give a second chance, but in that second chance He doesn’t want you to seek less than His first best for you.