CHAP. XLIII.
5 So the Spirit took me up, k and The glory of God returns to the temple, 1-5. He promises to brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.
preserve the people from those sins, which had deprived them of his presence, 6-9. He commands the prophet to shew them the pattern of the house, &c.; for their instruction, 10-12. The measures of the altar for burnt-offerings, 13-17. Rules for consecrating it, and the priests, 18-27.
AFTERWARD he brought
toward the east.
me to the a the gate that looketh
2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: dand his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar: and I fell upon my face.
6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house: and the man stood by me.
7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, Pand the place of the soles of my feet, a where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nors by the carcasses of their kings in their high places.
8 In their 'setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, † and the wall between me and them, they
2. 1 Kings 18:12. 2 Kings 2: 16. Acts 8.39.
4 And the glory of the LORD h came i 3:12-14. 8:3. 11:24. 37:1. 40: into the house by the way of the gate, whose prospect is toward the east.
this is their privilege, their desire, and their practice. Sacred things must not be made subservient to secular interests; but these must be subordinated to the concerns of religion,
k Cant. 1:4. 2 Cor. 12:2-4. 144:4. Ex. 40:34. 1 Kings 8: 10,11. 2 Chr. 5:14. Is. 6:S. Hag. 2:7-9.
m Lev. 1:1. Is. 66:6. Rev. 16:1. n 40:3.
ο 1:26. 10:1. Ps. 47:3. Is. 6:1. Jer. 3:17. 14:21. 17:12. Rev. 22:3.
p1 Chr. 28:2. Ps. 99:5. Is. 66: 1. Matt. 5:34,35.
q 9.37:26-28. 48:35. Ex. 29: 45. Ps. 68:18. 132:14. Joel 3: 17. Matt. 28:20. Jobu 1:14. 14:23. 2 Cor. 6:16. Rev. 21: 2,3.
г 20:39. 23:38.39. 39:7. Hos. 14:8. Zech. 13:2, 14:20,21. s9. Lev 26:30. Jer. 16:18, t 5:11. 8.3-16. 23:39, 44:7, 2 Kings 16:14,15. 21:4-7. 23:11, 12. 2 Chr. 33:4,7.
† Or, for there was but a wall between me and them .
coming "from the east." Christ is "the Sun of righteousness:" and as the sun arises in the east; so did he arise in the eastern regions, and thence his light has been communicated to the
and kept distinct from them, or rendered sub-western world. It is not intimated, that a dark
servient to them. However the privileges and liberty of believers may be enlarged, or the boundaries of the church extended; a separation still subsists between the righteous and the wicked, which will be manifested, and made final and eternal, in the approaching day of righteous retribution.
NOTES.
CHAP. XLIII. V. 1-5. ( Marg . Ref .) The 'word, Behold , is an expression of joy and ad'miration: as if the prophet had said, Behold a 'wonderful and joyful sight! The glory of that 'God, who calls himself "the God of Israel," as 'choosing to dwell among them, and to give 'evident tokens of his presence among them, 'and protection over them: this glory which 'had departed from this place for so long a 'time, now returns by the same way it de'parted. (10:19.)' Lowth . ( Notes , 10:18-22. 11: 22-25.)-It is not recorded, that the glory of God visibly took possession of the second temple; as it had done of the tabernacle, and afterwards of Solomon's temple, when conse
cloud attended this visible glory, as under former dispensations; for the full light of the gospel dispels the darkness which before rested on heavenly things. It was however attended by "a voice, like a noise of many waters;" (1:24. Rev. 1:15.) which may denote the efficacy of the gospel in alarming and converting sinners; or the terrible denunciations of God's vengeance on all opposers of his people, whom he will overwhelm as by the roaring and vehemence of some great inundation. "The earth also shined with his glory:" ( Notes , Is . 6:1-4.
Hab . 3:3-5.) for the light of divine truth, displaying the glory of God in Jesus Christ, shall illuminate all the nations when those times shall arrive. The glory of God, which the prophet saw, resembled that which had before appeared to him. ( Notes , 1:4-28. 3:22-27. 9:3,4. 10: 11:22-25.) He had then foretold the destruction of Jerusalem with such exactness, that it might be said he "came to destroy it:" but now be predicted the Lord's return to the city, and its prosperity; and he had a renewal of the same vision, which caus
crated. ( Notes , Lev . 9:22-24. 1 Kings 8:10-ed him to prostrate himself in humble adora
14. 2 Chr . 7:1-3.) 7:1-3.) It is therefore necessary to look beyond the return of the Jews from Babylon, and the rebuilding of the temple, for the fulfilment of these predictions. Indeed the personal presence of Im Immanuel, at the second temple, rendered it more glorious than that built by Solomon; ( Note , Hag . 2:5-9.) yet this part of the vision rather relates to the times, which are here supposed to be predicted in the whole of this description; namely those which shall succeed the conversion of the Jews, and their restoration to their own land. The prophet "saw the glory of the God of Israel" ||
tion of the divine majesty. Thus the glory of God filled the temple; and the divine Spirit brought the prophet into the inner court to witness that transaction.
V. 6. While the prophet was adoring the manifested glory of God; he was addressed by a voice out of the temple, and charged with the subsequent message. ( Marg . Ref . ) It is also observed, that the man, who had been his Instructer, stood by him. If this Instructer was the Messiah, as many think, then the prophet had a vision of the three persons in the sacred Trinity, manifesting in different ways their
have even defiled my holy name by their || whole form thereof, and all the ordinances abominations that they have committed: thereof, and do them. wherefore I have consumed them in mine
anger.
9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcasses of their kings far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.
10 Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, a that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the * pattern.
11 And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof; and write it in their sight that they may keep the
u 18:30,31, Hos. 2:2. Col. 3:5 11,19. -9.
x 7. 37:23.
y 7. 37:26-28.
a 11. 16:61,63. 36:31,32. Rom. 6:21.
* Or, sum , or, number.
z 40:4. Ex. 25:40. 1 Chr. 28: b 40:42:44:5,6.
12 This is the law of the house; d Upon the top of the mountain, the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
[Practical Observations.]
13 And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits. The cubit is a cubit and an hand-breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the + edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar.
14 And from the bottom upon the ground, even to the lower settle, shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.
15 So the altar shall be four cubits;
ciety of Christians and their rulers: but the Lord will shortly purify his whole church from all abuses, idolatries, superstitions, false doctrines, and human inventions: and when this is done, he will come gloriously to dwell in his church for ever; on earth to the end of the world, in heaven to all eternity.
presence with him. ( Notes , 40:3. Matt . 3:16,17.) V. 7-9. JEHOVAH had dwelt between the cherubim, above the mercy-seat and the ark of the covenant; so that in this respect, he had a throne and a footstool at his temple: ( Marg . Ref . o-q:) but the people and their kings had defiled his sanctuary and his holy name, by their idolatries. (Marg.
Ref. r. -Note , 20:39.) -"The carcasses of their kings," may signify, either the idols worshipped by the kings of Judah, which were as lifeless, and as loathsome before God, as putrid carcasses; or the dead bodies of the children whom they sacrificed to their abominable idols, upon high places erected within sight of the temple. (Notes, Lev. 26:30.
Jer. 16:17,18, v. 18.) But indeed, they had brought their images, even into the sanctuary itself: so that the thresholds and pillars of the places erected for idolatry, stood close by, or over against, the threshold, pillars, and posts of the temple: and there was but a wall between the glorious God and these his contemptible and detestable rivals. ( Marg . ) Thus they had so provoked him, that he consumed them in his anger. (Marg.
Ref . t.Notes, 8:16. 1 Kings 21:4,5. 23:4-6.) But the Lord here engages, that this shall no more be the case: the house of Israel shall no more defile his sanctuary and his holy name, as they had done: "Now shall they," says he, "put away their whoredom and the carcasses of their kings far from me, and I will dwell in the midst 'church, "built upon the foundation of the
V. 10, 11. The Jews must be shewn the measure and "pattern" of the house, in order to render them ashamed of their idolatries and iniquities: and when this had produced its effect, they would be more fully informed concerning all the regulations and laws of it, which would be written before them, that they might do them. This would remind them of what God had done for them in times past, and shew them what he had reserved for them in future; and on both accounts make them ashamed of their rebellions: it would also serve to expose their sins, and to direct their reformation.
This may also refer to the times, when the whole church shall be reformed according to the standard of scripture; when all Christians shall discern, by that light, their deviations from the truth of God, in doctrine, discipline, worship, and practice; and, repenting of them, shall effectually endeavor to rectify them.
We may may probabl probably suppose, ... that 'the model of God's temple, here set forth, is 'but a pattern of heavenly things, as Moses's 'was; ( Ex . ( Ez . 25:40.) and a type of that pure of them for ever." This is the literal transla- 'apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the tion of the ninth verse. It is evidently a pre- 'chief Corner-stone," which we may hope God diction, or a promise, and not an exhortation. 'will, in due time, every where restore. And And thus it exactly accords with the prophe- in the mean season it is the duty of all good
cies in many of the chapters preceding this vision. ( Marg . Ref . u-y.- Notes , 34:23-31. 36:25-27. 37:23-28.39:23-29.)-After the return of the Jews from Babylon, they relapsed no more to gross idolatry: but they soon were led to prefer their own traditions and superstitions to the commandments of God; and they rejected Christ, to cleave to their own pharisaical or legal righteousness. Thus they "set their thresholds by God's threshold." The same has been more or less done by every so
Christians, according to their abilities, to in'form themselves and others, what is the pat'tern, form, and fashion of this true church of 'God, in order to reform all those deviations 'which have been made from it.' Lowth ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Note , 40:2.)
V. 12. This is the law, or rule, concerning the house; that the whole area above described ( Notes , 42:15-20.) should be most holy, and no part of it used for common purposes. ( Marg . Ref .)
18 And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD, These are the ordinances of the altar, in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt-offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
19 And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites, that be of the seed of Zadok, P which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord God, a young bullock for a sin-offering.
20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, sand on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
* Heb. Ariel , that is, the liono 40:46. 44:15. 48:11. 1 Sam.
of God. Is. 29:1,2,7.
g Ex. 27:2. Lev.9:9. 1 Kings 2:28. Ps. 118:27.
h Ex. 27:1. 2 Chr. 4:1. Ezra
3:3.
i Ex. 38:1,2.
k Ex. 25:25. 30:3. 1 Kings 18:32. 1 Ex. 20:26.
m 8:16. 40:6.
n 45:18,19. Ex. 40:29. Lev. 1: 5-17.8:18-21. 16:19. Heb. 9:21-23. 10:4-12.
2:35,36. 1 Kings 2:27,35. Is.
61:6. 66:22. Jer. 33:18-22.
1 Pet. 2:5,9.
p Num. 16:5,40. 18:5.
q 45:18,19. Ex. 29:10,11. Lev. 4:3,&c. 8:14,15. 2 Cor. 5:21. Heb. 7:27.
r 15. Ex. 29:12,36. Lev. 4:25, 30,34. 8:15. 9:9.
s 16,17.
t 22,26. Lev. 16:19. Heb. 9:21 -23.
21 Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin-offering, and he shall "burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.
22 And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin-offering: y and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.
23 When thou hast made an end of cleansing it , thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.
24 And thou shalt offer them before the Lord, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt-offering unto the LORD.
25 a Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin-offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.
26 Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.
27 And when these days are expired, it shall be that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priest shall make your burntofferings upon the altar, and your peace
V. 13-17. ( Note , 40:5.) The bottom of the 'er narrowing or bench of a cubit in breadth, altar, which lay on the ground, seems to have 'where the priests stood to officiate.-The altar extended a full cubit beyond the rest of it; and 'is twice mentioned under two different a border of a span-breadth was placed around 'names: the first, Harel , that is the mountain of it, as some think, to keep the blood of the sac God , being so called, as some Rabbins think, rifices from running upon the pavement, and 'in opposition to the idolatrous altars built to confine it to the channel by which it was 'upon high places: the second, Ariel , that is the carried off.
This was "the higher place," or ' lion of God , ... because it devoured and conground, compared with the rest of the court, 'sumed the sacrifices. This ascent is directed being raised one cubit above it. From this 'to be placed at the east side of the altar, that bottom to "the lower settle" was two cubits.
'they who went up should look toward the The settles seem to have been ledges of a cubit 'west and upon the temple, and should turn in breadth, on each side of the altar, on which 'their backs to the rising sun, in opposition to the priests might walk to perform what was 'the rites of those idolaters who worshipped needful to be done. From the lower settle to 'the rising sun. (8:16.)' Lowth . Perhaps by the higher was four cubits.
The lower settle, Ariel, the hearth of the altar is meant. ( Marg . or in-benching, is called "the lesser," and the -Note , Is . 29:1,2.) -The description of this al higher , "the greater:" yet it does not appear, tar materially differs from the account given that the higher was broader than the lower, of that, which was made when Solomon built and the extent of it must have been less; but it the temple. That was indeed nearly the same would be most conspicuous, on account of its height as this, but it was twenty cubits square; height, and so more noticed.
Above this upper and nothing is said about any settles or insettle the altar was raised four cubits, and on benchings; but the reader is led to suppose the corners four horns were fixed.
The upper that it was as wide at the top as at the bottom: part of the altar was twelve cubits square; but and the altar erected after the captivity was the lower settle, measuring at the outside, was set upon its bases, probably on the very founfourteen: for the two settles deducted two cu- dation of the altar made by Solomon, and of bits on each side from the dimensions of the the same dimensions. ( Notes , 2 Chr . 4:1.
Ezra bottom.-God commanded in the law, that the 3:2,3.)-These considerations confirm the suppriests should not ascend by stairs , or steps, to position, that the state of the church, or of Isthe altar: and the original here only means rael, when converted to Christ and restored ascents , probably by a sloping gradual rising.- to their own land, is predicted, under emblems Dr. Lightfoot ... remarks, out of the Jewish taken from the ceremonies of the Mosaical 'writers, that within two cubits of the top, or dispensation.
But, probably, the precise mean'place where the hearth was, there was anoth-lling of each particular will not be understood, VOL. IV. [609
offerings: and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.