Ezekiel 40:1 - Meaning and Application

Here is, first, the time of this vision. It came in the twenty-fifth year of Ezekiel’s captivity (Ezekiel 40:1), which some count as the thirty-third year from the first captivity, and it is also called the fourteenth year after the city was struck down. See how fittingly God gave the clearest and fullest hope of deliverance when their distress was deepest. When they were in the dark night of captivity, God was already promising the morning. Then the Lord’s hand was on Ezekiel and brought him to Jerusalem, now in ruins, empty, and deserted, a painful sight for the prophet.

Second, here is the place where the vision was shown. The prophet was brought, in visions from God, to the land of Israel (Ezekiel 40:2). This was not the first time Ezekiel had been taken there in a vision. Earlier he was carried to Jerusalem to see its sin and shame (Ezekiel 8:3); now he is brought there to see its glory, even though its present condition, with no people living there, was bleak. He was set on a very high mountain, like Moses on Mount Pisgah, to look over this land, which was again a land of promise, though not yet in their possession.

From the top of the mountain he saw what looked like the shape of a city, its plan and pattern. But this city was really a temple as large as a city. The New Jerusalem had no temple in it (Revelation 21:22), because the whole city was holy like a temple, and this vision is much the same. It is a city for people to live in, and it is a temple for God to live in. In the church on earth, God dwells with people; in heaven, people dwell with God. Both are formed in God’s wisdom, and all of it is very good.

Third, the details of this city, which he first saw only from a distance, were shown to him by a man whose appearance was like bronze (Ezekiel 40:3). This was not a created angel, but Jesus Christ, who would later be found in human form so he could reveal and build the gospel temple. He brought Ezekiel to this city, because through Christ we come to know God’s house and enter its blessings and privileges. He is the one who will build the temple of the Lord (Zechariah 6:13). His bronze-like appearance suggests both brightness and strength. John, in his vision, saw his feet like fine bronze (Revelation 1:15).

Fourth, the city, or temple, and all its parts were measured with a flax line and a measuring reed, or rod (Ezekiel 40:3), like a builder’s line and measuring stick. The temple of God is built by careful rule and measure, and those who teach others about it must do the same. The church is shaped according to Scripture, the pattern shown on the mountain. That is the line and measuring rod in Christ’s hand. Teaching and doctrine must be measured by it and tested by it, for the peace of God’s people comes when they walk by that rule.

Fifth, Ezekiel is told how to receive this revelation and pass it on to the church whole and pure (Ezekiel 40:4). He must carefully pay attention to everything said and done in the vision. His focus is strongly called for: “Look with your eyes at everything shown to you, hear with your ears everything said to you, and set your heart on it.” He must not just notice it, but study it closely and keep his mind fixed on it. What we see of God’s works, and what we hear of God’s word, does us no good unless we set our hearts on it, as people who know it concerns us and will help our souls.

He must also faithfully tell the house of Israel, so they can take comfort from it. He receives it so that he can give it. That is how the Revelation of Jesus Christ was given to John, so he could make it known to the churches (Revelation 1:1). And because Ezekiel must speak of it as a message from God, he must first know it well himself and be deeply moved by it. Those who preach God’s word to others ought to study it well and set their hearts on it first. The reason given for both his careful attention and his faithful telling is that this is why he was brought there and shown these things. So when God shows us his works, we should ask why he is showing them to us. And when we sit under the ministry of the word, we should ask why we are brought there, so we may meet the purpose of our hearing and not receive God’s grace in vain.