The Sacred Resurgence: God’s Dwelling Among Us
"¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places." - Ezekiel 43:7
Ezekiel 43:7 declares, "And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places." This profound verse from the Book of Ezekiel captures a significant moment in the prophetic dialogue between God and His chosen people, Israel.
To understand the depth of this scripture, we must position it within the context of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, which spans a critical period of Israel's history, marked by sin, suffering, and eventual restoration. The phrase "Son of man" indicates God's intimate address to Ezekiel, establishing the prophet's identity as both a messenger and a representative of humanity—a role that layers this passage with immense significance.
Here, God refers to His throne and the place of the soles of His feet, symbolizing His sovereign authority and presence among His people. In ancient Near Eastern thought, a king’s throne was central to his rule, often placed within temples that symbolized divine presence. This imagery communicates that God's desire is to dwell with His people, emphasizing relational closeness rather than mere distance. The essence of God’s character is revealed in His yearning to inhabit the midst of Israel, highlighting His commitment to be not just a distant deity but an ever-present source of guidance and love for His people.
As we delve deeper, the text contrasts God's holy name with the defilement brought about by the actions of Israel and its kings, which included idolatry and moral corruption. The phrase "shall the house of Israel no more defile..." serves as a prophetic declaration of future restoration and purity. This foretelling compels us to reflect upon the significance of holiness in our individual and communal lives today. The commitment to uphold God's name is not merely ritualistic; it requires authentic devotion and a conscious rejection of practices that lead us away from His righteousness.
The warning against "whoredom" and the "carcases of their kings in their high places" is particularly poignant, leading us to consider the implications of spiritual adultery. Whoredom, as referred to here, is not limited to physical acts but embodies the totality of turning one's heart away from God to pursue empty idols that lead to death. These high places, once sanctuaries of worship, became altars to false gods, defiling the name of the Lord and causing a rift between Him and His people.
In contemporary culture, we are constantly surrounded by high places of our own making—entities that vie for our devotion, attention, and loyalty. Whether it's success, societal norms, or personal pleasures, we must regularly evaluate our allegiances. Is God's voice the one we listen to most? Are we ensuring that our worship—our very lives—are reflective of His holiness? Aren't we often tempted to justify our compromises, just as Israel did?
However, within this passage lies hope. The assurance of God dwelling among His children was ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who took on flesh and made His dwelling among us (John 1:14). This divine presence through Jesus offers each of us an invitation into a restored relationship with God, free from the taints of idolatry and sin. When we acknowledge our transgressions and choose to turn back to Him, we voice our desire for Him to once again inhabit the spaces of our hearts—our very lives become temples of His presence.
Therefore, as we meditate on Ezekiel 43:7, let us respond to God’s desire to dwell with us. Let us be diligent in guarding our hearts and sanctifying our lives, ensuring that we do not defile the sacredness of His name. May our lives reflect the holiness that He desires, and may we invite His presence into every aspect of our being.
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Ezekiel 43:7 - "¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places."
"¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places." - Ezekiel 43:7
Ezekiel 43:1 - "Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:"
Ezekiel 43:4 - "And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east."
Ezekiel 43:16 - "And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof."
Ezekiel 43:15 - "So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns."
Ezekiel 43:6 - "And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me."
John 7:43 - "So there was a division among the people because of him."
Ezekiel 23:43 - "Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?"
Ezekiel 40:43 - "And within were hooks, an hand broad, fastened round about: and upon the tables was the flesh of the offering."
Ezekiel 43:5 - "So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house."
1 Kings 7:43 - "And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases;"
Ezekiel 43:21 - "Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary."
Nehemiah 7:43 - "¶ The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four."
Ezekiel 43:10 - "¶ Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern."
Ezekiel 43:22 - "And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock."
Ezekiel 43:12 - "This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house."
Ezekiel 43:26 - "Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves." The image should not depict explicit or offensive content but be symbolic.
Ezekiel 43:9 - "Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever."
Ezekiel 43:2 - "And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory."
Jeremiah 43:7 - "So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes."
Ezekiel 43:23 - "When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish."
Ezekiel 43:24 - "And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD."
"Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves." - Ezekiel 43:26
"And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory." - Ezekiel 43:2
Ezekiel 43:25 - "Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish."
Ezekiel 43:20 - "And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it."
"Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:" - Ezekiel 43:1
Ezekiel 43:19 - "And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering."
"So there was a division among the people because of him." - John 7:43