Ezekiel’s Unbuilt Temple

“Thou son of man, show the temple to the house of Israel,

that they may be ashamed of their iniquities,

and let them measure the pattern.

And if they be ashamed of all that they have done,

then make known to them the design of the temple, and its arrangement,

and its exits and its entrances; that is, its whole design,

as well as all its ordinances; even all its design and all its laws.

And write it down in their sight, that they may observe all its laws

and all its ordinances, and carry them out.”

Ezekiel 43:10-11

During the Babylonian captivity, God gave the captive prophet and priest, Ezekiel, very detailed plans for a new temple, and a new layout for the twelve tribes.   These plans are found in Ezekiel 40–48.  The people of Israel had been taken into captivity and the temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed.  But there was renewed hope, for God had now revealed to Ezekiel a plan for the restoration of the nation.

There was just one condition, found in verse 11 above.  There, God commands His servant Ezekiel to show the people the new plans “if they be ashamed of all that they have done”.  Apparently, they never were ashamed of the wickedness that had led to the destruction of their nation.  Consequently, they never saw the details of the new temple and the new arrangement of the nation.

I wonder how many good things God has wanted to give His people, but did not because they would not turn from their own ways!  God has good thoughts toward us, and good plans for us.  Let’s not miss those blessings because of an attachment to sin!