May 24, Ezekiel 40
”Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel." - Ezekiel 40:4
The detailed description of this city and temple structure that Ezekiel saw in a vision are detailed, repetitive and long. They probably reminded you of the detailed instructions God gave Moses about building the tabernacle in Exodus, or the detailed report about Solomon's
temple in 1 Kings.
One significant difference in the dimensions record in Chapter 40 and other chapters that follow is that this vision temple was similar to, but much larger than Solomon's temple. The other very significant difference is that this temple was just that— a vision temple, not one that was ever built. The Jews who went back to their homeland after the Babylonian captivity would rebuild the city wall and construct another temple. But what they built was nowhere near the size described in Ezekiel's words about the vision he saw. Most of the Israelites who returned to the land never truly and fully returned to loving God and keeping his laws. Malachi and other prophets delivered stern rebukes and warnings to the returned exiles who were not living godly lives.
Israel's hardened, habitual disobedience kept them from realizing some of the benefits and blessings God offered them through Ezekiel's preaching and prophecies. If what Ezekiel saw in this vision was ever intended to be a literal structure, it never became anything more than a vision, just like many other blessings of prosperity God offered them if they would turn back to him.
Perhaps it is because I am mechanically and mathematically challenged, but those detailed descriptions of the vision temple seem to glaze my eyes and cloud my brain. So, for this chapter's text verse, I chose one that did engage my attention and imagination in a way that I hope will bless us as we think about it together.
I'm sure you've noticed that the Lord addressed Ezekiel many times in this book as "son of man." Ezekiel was one of the greatest among the prophets. But he was still a man, a human like the rest of us children of Adam and Eve. But God chose that human being, showed him images of both glorious splendor and terrible disaster, and sent him to communicate what he had seen and heard to his fellow humans.
As a communicator of God's word, I need to remember that I'm just a "son of man" when I preach or write. Any ability I have and any good I do is the result of his enabling, equipping grace. God can do more with us, in us and for us that we can even imagine. When we trust him instead of ourselves, he can use us for his purposes. He can bless us and others around us when we are his humble servants. Our own eyes and ears should be open; our hearts should be set on all God has revealed to us. When the opportunity comes to share it with someone else, we will be prepared for the task.
I'm sure you also recognize "Son of man" as the self-descriptive title that Jesus used most often to identify and speak of himself. The wonder of Incarnation is in the words "son of man" when Jesus spoke them. He who was in very nature God, emptied himself to become one of us. As John described him, "And the word became flesh, and dwelled among us." His life of self-sacrifice and humble service should guide us to be less self-centered, and more willing to serve one another with humility and joy.
There are things in Ezekiel's words that we may not be able to explain or comprehend. But this idea of being "a son of man" is something we all can grasp. Let's remember that we are indeed humans with the flaws and weaknesses that characterize our race. But let's also realize that God can use us to do great things when we humbly surrender our wills to his. Let's treasure the knowledge of a Savior who became like us so we could become like him, who died for us so we could live with him forever. There's plenty of meaning and encouragement for us sons and daughters of men in that rich and descriptive title, "son of man."
Copyright © 2024 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—May 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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