The Chambers For the Priests
April 22, 2022
Commentary
Leaving the temple proper, Ezekiel then described several adjacent structures for use by the priests (vv. 1-12). This complex of rooms was connected with the inner court, with entrances from the outer court. There were two buildings on the north side with a common corridor 17½ feet (10 cubits) wide (v. 4). The row of rooms next to the outer court was 87½ feet (50 cubits) long. The other row of rooms next to the sanctuary was twice as long, 175 feet (100 cubits, v. 8). These rooms were three stories high, with the rooms on the third level being narrower than those on the first and second floors (vv. 3-6). An identical group of rooms was on the temple’s south side (vv. 10-12).
In these rooms the priests who approach the Lord will eat the most holy offerings and store their garments (vv. 13-14)). Approaching God must not be taken lightly. The Priests were to wear holy garments which may have symbolized having a holy heart when approaching God. According to the Mosaic Law the priests received a portion of some offerings (Lev. 6:16, 26-30). A similar provision will be made for the millennial priests. After the angel measured everything within the temple complex, he then led Ezekiel outside to record the external dimensions of the temple (vv. 15-20). The complex was a square measuring 875 feet (500 cubits) on each side. The total area occupied by this temple area was 765,625 square feet-enough square feet for more than 13 football fields.
Application
I always want to respect God for who He is and approach Him with a holy heart. I believe this includes being careful in the way I dress and in the way I act as well as the way I handle the Word of God.
Ezekiel 42:1– 20 (NET)
1 Then he led me out to the outer court, toward the north, and brought me to the chamber that was opposite the courtyard and opposite the building on the north. 2 Its length was 175 feet on the north side, and its width 87½ feet. 3 Opposite the 35 feet that belonged to the inner court, and opposite the pavement that belonged to the outer court, gallery faced gallery in the three stories. 4 In front of the chambers was a walkway on the inner side, 17½ feet wide at a distance of 1¾ feet, and their entrances were on the north. 5 Now the upper chambers were narrower, because the galleries took more space from them than from the lower and middle chambers of the building. 6 For they were in three stories and had no pillars like the pillars of the courts; therefore, the upper chambers were set back from the ground more than the lower and middle ones. 7 As for the outer wall by the side of the chambers, toward the outer court facing the chambers, it was 87½ feet long. 8 For the chambers on the outer court were 87½ feet long, while those facing the temple were 175 feet long. 9 Below these chambers was a passage on the east side as one enters from the outer court.
10 At the beginning of the wall of the court toward the south, facing the courtyard and the building, were chambers 11 like those on the north with a passage in front of them. The chambers that were toward the south were the same length and width as those on the north, and had matching exits and entrances and arrangements. 12 There was an opening at the head of the passage, the passage in front of the corresponding wall toward the east when one enters.
13 Then he said to me, “The north chambers and the south chambers that face the courtyard are holy chambers where the priests who approach the Lord will eat the most holy offerings. There they will place the most holy offerings—the grain offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering, because the place is holy. 14 When the priests enter, then they will not go out from the sanctuary to the outer court without taking off their garments in which they minister, for these are holy; they will put on other garments, then they will go near the places where the people are.”
15 Now when he had finished measuring the interior of the temple, he led me out by the gate that faces east and measured all around. 16 He measured the east side with the measuring stick as 875 feet by the measuring stick. 17 He measured the north side as 875 feet by the measuring stick. 18 He measured the south side as 875 feet by the measuring stick. 19 He turned to the west side and measured 875 feet by the measuring stick. 20 He measured it on all four sides. It had a wall around it, 875 feet long and 875 feet wide, to separate the holy and common places.
Illustration: Making Jam and Sealing the Jars
I grew up on a farm and my mother used to make jam, I would watch her pour wax over the top of the preserves until it was at the brim of the jar. She would then carefully wipe some wax around the rim itself, and place the rubber lined lid on tight. The wax and the vacuum caused by the cooling preserves would seal that jar so tight that it could have sat on a basement shelf for years, and the jam would have been good when finally opened. Sealed, preserved, protected. The Word of God was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, and after listening to the message of truth, the good news of our salvation, and having believed, we were sealed in Him (Christ) by the Holy Spirit of promise”. A seal of God’ ownership was placed over our lives, and unlike Pilate’s seal, no power in Heaven or earth can break that seal, a seal that means a great deal to God. He shut us up tightly. We are set aside for His use, for His eternal fellowship. Preserved, protected until the day of the redemption of our bodies (or glorification). (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).