Ezekiel 40:39 - Meaning and Application

In these verses we have an account.

I. Of the tables that stood in the porch of the gates of the inner court. We do not find a description of the burnt offering altar in the middle of that court until Ezekiel 43:13. But since the one altar under the law was to give way to many tables under the gospel, early attention is given here to the tables as we enter the inner court. Until we come to the Lord’s table, we are only believers in a general sense. Our welcome there is our entrance into the inner court. In this gospel temple, we do not meet an altar until after the glory of the Lord has taken possession of it, because Christ is our altar, the one who makes every gift acceptable. There were eight tables provided on which the sacrifices were to be slaughtered (Ezekiel 40:41). We do not read of tables for this use in either the tabernacle or Solomon’s temple. Here they are provided to show the great number of spiritual sacrifices that would be brought to God’s house in gospel times, and the many hands that would take part in offering them. These were the workstations for the altar. Here were the tables where the flesh of the sacrifice was laid, the knives used to cut it up, and the hooks where it was hung, ready to be offered on the altar (Ezekiel 40:43). The burnt offerings were also washed there (Ezekiel 40:38). This teaches that before we come near God’s altar, everything must be made ready. We must wash our hands and hearts, these spiritual sacrifices, and then go around God’s altar.

II. Of the use made of some of the chambers mentioned earlier. Some were for the singers (Ezekiel 40:44). It seems they were provided for first, before any others who served in this temple. This shows not only that singing psalms should continue as a gospel practice, but also that the gospel gives all who receive it plenty of reason for joy and praise. It gives them cause to burst into song, as is often promised about gospel times (Psalm 96:1; Psalm 98:1). Christians should be singers. Blessed are those who live in God’s house, for they will always be praising him. Others of the chambers were for the priests, both those who cared for the house, cleaning it, watching so no one polluted it, and keeping it in repair (Ezekiel 40:45), and those who cared for the altar (Ezekiel 40:46), who came near the Lord to minister to him. God will provide suitable lodging for all his servants. Those who do the work of his house will enjoy the comfort of it.

III. Of the inner court, the court of the priests, which was fifty yards square (Ezekiel 40:47). The altar that stood before the house was placed in the middle of this court, facing the three gates. Since it was in line with the three gates of the outer court, when those gates were open, all the people in the outer court could see the service done at the altar through them. Christ is both our altar and our sacrifice, and we must look to him with faith in every approach to God. He is salvation in the midst of the earth (Psalm 74:12), and people from every direction are to look to him.

IV. Of the porch of the house. The temple is called the house in a special sense, as if no other house deserved that name. Before this house there was a porch, which teaches us not to rush carelessly into God’s presence. We should come slowly and with reverence, passing first through the outer court, then the inner court, then the porch, before entering the house. Between this porch and the altar was a place where the priests used to pray (Joel 2:17). In the porch, besides the posts that held the doors, there were pillars, probably for honor and beauty, like Jachin and Boaz, meaning, “He will establish,” and, “In him is strength” (Ezekiel 40:49). In the gospel church, everything is firm and secure, and everything should stay in its proper place and be done decently and in order.