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The Glory of the LORD Returns to the Temple
Ezekiel 43:1–12 shows a vision of Yahweh’s glory returning to the temple. The passage joins awe, holiness and instruction, showing that God’s dwelling among his people is linked with turning away from what defiles his holy name.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
Ezekiel is brought to the east-facing gate and sees the glory of the God of Israel come from the east. The vision includes God’s powerful voice, God’s glory filling the house, and a message about God’s dwelling, Israel’s past defilement, and the law of the house.
Ezekiel 43:1–12Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh’s glorious presence belongs with a holy dwelling place and calls his people to put away what defiles his holy name.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The glory comes from the eastEzekiel is brought to the gate facing east, and he sees the glory of the God of Israel coming from that direction.
Explanation
Ezekiel is brought to the gate facing east, and he sees the glory of the God of Israel coming from that direction. God’s voice is described as sounding like many waters, and his glory lights up the earth. The passage stresses majesty, power and radiant splendour.
02The vision fills the houseEzekiel says this vision matches earlier visions he had seen, and he falls on his face. Yahweh’s glory enters the house through the east gate, then the Spirit brings Ezekiel into the inner court.
Explanation
Ezekiel says this vision matches earlier visions he had seen, and he falls on his face. Yahweh’s glory enters the house through the east gate, then the Spirit brings Ezekiel into the inner court. There he sees that Yahweh’s glory fills the house completely.
03God names his dwelling and Israel’s defilementA voice from the house declares that this is the place of God’s throne and where he will dwell among the children of Israel forever.
Explanation
A voice from the house declares that this is the place of God’s throne and where he will dwell among the children of Israel forever. The passage says they had defiled God’s holy name by prostitution, by the dead bodies of their kings, and by setting their threshold by God’s threshold and their door post beside his, with only a wall between.
04Put away defilement and learn the law of the houseThe people are told to put away their prostitution and the dead bodies of their kings far from God, and then he will dwell among them forever.
Explanation
The people are told to put away their prostitution and the dead bodies of their kings far from God, and then he will dwell among them forever. Ezekiel must show them the house so they may be ashamed of their iniquities, learn its pattern, and keep its laws. The whole limit around it is most holy.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What details in the passage show the greatness of Yahweh’s glory?
Look for the description of his voice, the light of his glory, and the way the house is filled with his presence.
02What actions does the passage name as defiling Yahweh’s holy name?
Read carefully for the specific wording about prostitution, the dead bodies of kings, and setting thresholds and door posts beside God’s.
03What is Ezekiel told to do with the pattern of the house, and why?
Notice both the purpose of producing shame for iniquities and the instruction to keep and do the house’s laws and ordinances.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 43:1–12
1Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looks toward the east.
2Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
3It was like 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 on my face.
4Yahweh’s glory came into the house by the way of the gate which faces toward the east.
5The Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, Yahweh’s glory filled the house.
6I heard one speaking to me out of the house, and a man stood by me.
7He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever. The house of Israel will no more defile my holy name, neither they nor their kings, by their prostitution and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places;
8in their setting of their threshold by my threshold and their door post beside my door post. There was a wall between me and them; and they have defiled my holy name by their abominations which they have committed. Therefore I have consumed them in my anger.
9Now let them put away their prostitution, and the dead bodies of their kings far from me. Then I will dwell among them forever.
10“You, son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.
11If they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the form of the house, its fashion, its exits, its entrances, its structure, all its ordinances, all its forms, and all its laws; and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form of it, and all its ordinances, and do them.
12“This is the law of the house. On the top of the mountain the whole limit around it shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.