Ezekiel 40:20

And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.

Ezekiel 40:20 (KJV)

Context

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, containing visions and messages from God to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. In this chapter, Ezekiel is given a vision of a new temple and is instructed to measure its various parts, including the gates and chambers. This verse records the measuring of the gate of the outward court that faced north, noting both its length and breadth.

Meaning

The outward court was the area where the people gathered for worship and sacrifice, a place where Israelites came to offer sacrifices and seek God’s presence. The act of measurement symbolizes God’s attention to detail and His desire for order and structure. By instructing Ezekiel to measure the temple, God emphasizes His sovereignty and involvement in every aspect of the worship and life of His people. The measurements of this north gate correspond to the east gate already measured (Ezekiel 40:6-19) and anticipate the south gate (Ezekiel 40:24), showing uniformity in the temple design. This uniformity suggests a consistent standard for entrance into worship, calling for an orderly and reverent approach to God.

Biblical connections

The gate is a point of entry into the temple, and Jesus said in John 10:9 (KJV), “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” Through faith in Jesus, believers have access to God and can enter into His presence. The outward court was a place of worship and sacrifice, and as Christians, we are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) and worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

Application

• Attention to Detail: God is a God of order and precision, paying attention to the smallest details of our lives. This encourages us to seek His guidance in every aspect of our worship and service to Him.

• Access to God: The gate is a point of entry, and through Jesus, we have access to God and can enter into His presence.

• Worship and Sacrifice: The outward court was a place of worship and sacrifice. We are called to approach our worship with reverence and sincerity, offering ourselves as living sacrifices.

Reflection

Ezekiel 40:20 provides a glimpse into the vision of a new temple, highlighting the measurements of the gate of the outward court. The verse reminds us of God’s attention to detail, the importance of accessing God through Jesus, and the significance of worship and sacrifice in our lives. The detailed measurements also offered hope to the exiles that God had not forgotten them and that restoration would come.