_Then he brought me to the gate_ The eastern gate of the court of the priests, which was just before the temple. _And behold, the glory of the God of Israel_ The word _behold_ is an expression of joy and admiration; as if the prophet had said, _Behold, a wonderful and joyful sight!_ The glory of tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it_ This glory of the God of Israel; _was according to the vision, &c., when I came to destroy the city_ That is, to prophesy that the city would be destroyed. The prophets are often said to do those things which they foretel shall be done. _And I fell upon my face_ In humble and reverent adora... [ Continue Reading ]
_I heard him speaking unto me_, &c. The prophet now receives instructions more immediately from the glory of the Lord, as Moses did when God had taken possession of the tabernacle, Leviticus 1:1. When God's glory shines in the church, we must from thence expect to receive divine oracles. _And the ma... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said unto me, Son of man_, &c. God here, in retaking possession of his house, in effect renews his covenant with his people Israel; and Ezekiel negotiates the matter, as Moses formerly did. This would be of great use to the captives at their return, both for direction and for encouragement;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed_, &c. The prophet is here directed to show the measure and pattern of the house to the Jews, with a view to render them ashamed of their idolatries and other iniquities, which had provoked God to deprive them of the honour and happines... [ Continue Reading ]
_This is the law of the house_ This is the first comprehensive rule; or, this is the general law respecting this temple, and all that belongs to it. Whereas formerly only the chancel, or sanctuary, was _most holy_, now the whole mount of the house, _the whole limit thereof round about_, including al... [ Continue Reading ]
_These are the measures of the altar_ The Jews, after their return out of captivity, had an altar long before they had a temple, Ezra 3:3; but the altar here spoken of is an altar in the temple, the mystical temple emblematical of the gospel church; and this altar is mystical too, for Christ is our... [ Continue Reading ]
_These are the ordinances of the altar_ Here we have directions concerning the dedication of the altar at first. Seven days were to be spent in the dedication of it, and every day sacrifices were to be offered upon it, particularly _a goat for a sin-offering_, (Ezekiel 43:25,) besides _a young bullo... [ Continue Reading ]