Ezekiel

Ezekiel 43: God returns in glory

Begin in prayer

Before seeing God's glory fill the house, let us consider the holiness of His presence. Ask Him for still hearts, His presence with this family and eyes to see Christ as we read Ezekiel 43.

Yahweh says: “I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the middle of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called ‘The City of Truth;’ and the mountain of Yahweh of Armies, ‘The Holy Mountain.’”

Zechariah 8:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand Your glorious presence and see Jesus, whose sacrifice brings acceptance to those who trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God's glory comes from the east, shining over the earth, and fills the house as the Spirit brings Ezekiel into the inner court. God declares the house His throne and lasting dwelling, commanding Israel to remove its prostitution and the dead bodies of its kings. Their abominations had defiled His name and brought His anger. Ezekiel must show the house so they are ashamed, teaching its ordinances if they are ashamed of all they have done. The whole surrounding mountain area is most holy, and the altar receives seven days of cleansing and consecration through blood and offerings. From the eighth day onward, God promises to accept the people as the priests make burnt and peace offerings.

As you read Ezekiel 43, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God fills His house with glory, calls His people to holiness and promises to accept them as they offer sacrifices.

The returning glory is the glory Ezekiel saw by Chebar and in judgment, so its entry answers the earlier departure from Jerusalem. God's presence gives the restored house its purpose, for He calls it His throne and the place where He will dwell among Israel forever. Prostitution and kings' dead bodies had defiled His name beside His own threshold, explaining why those abominations must now be removed. Showing the house should bring shame, and teaching its ordinances depends on the people being ashamed of all they have done. The law calling the whole mountain area most holy extends the demand for reverence beyond one inner room. Blood applied to the altar and seven days of offerings provide cleansing and consecration before its continuing service begins. This provision shows that sin must be dealt with at the place appointed for approach to God. When priests make burnt and peace offerings from the eighth day onward, His promise is to accept the people who bring them.

How does Ezekiel 43 show us that God fills His house with glory, calls His people to holiness and promises to accept them as they offer sacrifices?

God fills His house with His returning glory.

The glory enters from the east and fills the house (verses 1 to 5). Ezekiel recognizes the appearance from earlier visions. The Spirit brings him into the inner court to see it.

God calls His people to honor His dwelling.

God names the house as His throne and lasting dwelling (verses 6 to 12). Prostitution and kings' dead bodies must be removed. If Israel is ashamed of all it has done, Ezekiel must teach the house's ordinances (verse 11).

God appoints cleansing and promises acceptance.

Blood cleanses the altar, and seven days of offerings consecrate it (verses 13 to 27). Priests descended from Zadok perform the service. From the eighth day, God promises to accept the people as burnt and peace offerings are made.

Memorize

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.

Ezekiel 43:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin am I keeping? Have I come to Jesus to be cleansed?

The returning glory is accompanied by God’s promise, “I will dwell among the children of Israel forever”. His glory fills the house, and the people must put away the sins that defiled His name. The altar's cleansing and consecration lead to His promise of acceptance. The vision joins His presence with holiness and a provision for sin.

Jesus gave Himself to bring His people into God's presence. He bore their sins and endured their condemnation on the cross, dying for them. His sacrifice finished the work of reconciliation and fully provides their acceptance before the Father. He rose from death, and His redeemed people will share His glory.

Please turn from your sin and place your faith in the risen Jesus. He gives forgiveness to every sinner who comes to Him in faith. Please ask Him to expose the sins you have welcomed and cleanse you through His blood. Those who trust the risen Savior have peace with the holy God through the work He has completed.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus died and rose to bring His people acceptance before the holy God. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please explain the prostitution and dead bodies in your own words, preserving God's reason for commanding their removal.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His glorious presence and the acceptance Jesus has secured, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:14

Father, thank You for Your glorious holiness and the acceptance Jesus has secured for His people. Forgive the sins we have welcomed, and help each one repent and believe in Him. Please teach us to turn away from what defiles and draw near through the Savior's completed sacrifice. Amen.