Ezekiel 40:24-31: a reflection

24He led me toward the south; and behold, there was a gate toward the south. He measured its posts and its arches according to these measurements. 25There were windows in it and in its arches all around, like the other windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the width twenty-five cubits. 26There were seven steps to go up to it, and its arches were before them. It had palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, on its posts. 27There was a gate to the inner court toward the south. He measured one hundred cubits from gate to gate toward the south. 28Then he brought me to the inner court by the south gate. He measured the south gate according to these measurements; 29with its lodges, its posts, and its arches, according to these measurements. There were windows in it and in its arches all around. It was fifty cubits long, and twenty-five cubits wide. 30There were arches all around, twenty-five cubits long and five cubits wide. 31Its arches were toward the outer court. Palm trees were on its posts. The ascent to it had eight steps.

Ezekiel's guided tour of the visionary temple continues, gate after gate, each carefully measured, the south gate like the east, the inner gates like the outer, each with its chambers, its windows, its palm-tree carvings, and its ascent of steps. The repetition can feel tedious, but it testifies to something: nothing about God's dwelling is careless or accidental. Every gate is measured with the same exactness; the whole structure is ordered, consistent, deliberate.

Notice two quiet things in the repetition. First, the consistency: every gate is held to the same careful measure, north, south, and east alike, nothing haphazard or slapdash. God is a God of order and faithfulness, not caprice; his house, and his ways, are consistent and deliberate. And second, the gates on every side, each with steps leading up: there is a way of approach from every direction, an ascent into the presence of God available on every side.

Without building temples, we can take encouragement from both. The God whose visionary house is measured so consistently is not a God of caprice but of faithful, ordered care; you can rely on his consistency. And the gates on every side, each with its steps up, whisper that there is a way to approach him wherever you are; the ascent into his presence is available, from every direction, to those who would draw near. Whatever side you come from, there is a way up to God. Draw near by it, and trust the consistent, careful faithfulness of the God whose house is ordered with such care.

Lord, your visionary house was measured gate by gate with the same careful exactness, nothing haphazard, with a way up on every side. Thank you that you are a God of order and faithful consistency, not caprice; I can rely on you. And thank you that there is a way to approach you from every direction, an ascent into your presence available wherever I come from. Help me draw near by it, and trust the careful, consistent faithfulness of the God whose ways are ordered with such care.