The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There.”
The above verse is the conclusion of 48 chapters for Ezekiel. These last chapters are some of the hardest reading in the Old Testament for a New Testament believer. This entire section is about the measurement of the Temple and the restating of some of the Temple offerings. To someone who only knows the Cross of Christ and the resurrection of Christ, these verses can see rather vacant of practical, Christian meaning. However, the above verse, the summary of Ezekiel’s prophesy, explains the purpose of these words about the cubits of the Temple, the gates of the Temple and the land surrounding the Temple. Note how one commentator stated this point:
(Understanding the Bible Commentary Series - Old Testament Set (18 vols.)) To the question “Where is God?” the closing verse of this book gives an answer: And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE (v. 35). These words will remind Christian readers of Jesus’ words at the end of Matthew’s gospel: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). In each case, the point is clear: wherever the people of God are, they are never alone or abandoned, for God is with them. As the Lord came to Ezekiel in exile by the River Kebar, so God comes to us still.
This really sums up the meaning of the entire book. God wanted the returning exiles to know that He was with them. As they returned to the Land of Promise, from their captivity, God would be in the midst. This returning remnant needed to know that God was with them and HIs presence would provide, guide and protect them. The Glory of the Lord was to be in this Temple, like the old Temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians. But, upon their return, God would be with them. This is the message of the Bible. God is with us. Note:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Temple of Ezekiel’s day would be the reminder of God’s presence. But, when Christ would come, He would be the presence of God in our midst. God sent His Son to give us His presence. The point of Ezekiel’s prophecy and that of the Bible is that God has given us His presence. We can rejoice in His glory through the ministry of Christ and the Spirit in our lives. God wants man to have His presence in their midst.
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