Page 229 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER XL. 223
sole sound one, but really alone possible. At the same
time, while maintaining that all the evidence is in favour
of a future temple for Israel under Messiah and the new
covenant, there may be also many a lesson of truth and
righteousness couched under the building and ritual
and general order here laid down, without endorsing all
the excellent John Bunyan’s fancies, still less his con­
fusion of all the temples of scripture, Solomon’s, Ze-
rubbabel’s, Herod’s, and this of Ezekiel. But as to
such applications, we need a vigilant watch lest we per­
vert the holy word of God; and I trust myself to be
reticent rather than thus offend.
On the details of our chapter there seems little to
remark. In the first section (ver. 6-16) the eastern
gate is measured, threshold and posts, porch within and
without, chambers on both sides, breadth of the entry,
length of gate and pillars, the reed consisting of six
cubits, and each cubit of a handbreadth above the ordi­
nary length. In the second (ver. 17-23), where the
outer court comes before us, its gate towards the north
is measured, its chambers,, posts, porches, and steps,
with the distance between the gate of the inner court
opposite to those looking east and north. In the third
(ver. 24-27) we have the measure of the south gate,
with its appurtenances, as before, with the distance
from a southern gate of the inner court. This gate is
next measured (ver. 28-31) similarly; and the eastern
gate of the same court, and the northern also (ver. 3 5-
38). Then follows a description, in verses 38 to 43, of
the cells and entrances by the columns of the gates, and
the eight tables of hewn stones for slaying the burnt-
ofiferings, &c., four on each side; and (ver. 44- 4 7)