There were pillars— Hereby seem to be meant the two great pillars of brass, whereof we have the dimensions and a description in the first book of Kings, chap. Ezekiel 7:15, &c. and 2 Chronicles 3:15.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The date of this prophesy is in the twenty-fifth year of the captivity of Jeconiah, in the tenth day of the beginning of the year, which was reckoned in two different ways: the civil year began at the autumnal equinox, and then this tenth day must have been the great day of atonement: the ecclesiastical year commenced from the vernal equinox, and then this day falls on the tenth of Nisan, answering to part of our March and April, when the paschal lamb was separated from the flock, in order to be slain on the fourteenth.
The scene is laid in the land of Judges; and in vision the prophet is set on a very high mountain; and there was, as it were, the frame of a city, full in his view. There appeared to him in the gate, a glorious personage, an angel deputed from God, or, as many suppose, the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the maker and builder of this city of God, his church.* His figure was bright and glittering as burnished brass, and in his hand he bore a measuring reed and line; and, addressing the prophet, bid him carefully behold, attentively hear, with fixed thoughtfulness weigh, and with fidelity deliver to the house of Israel, what was about to be revealed to him. Note. (1.) The ministers of God must themselves carefully read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the word of truth, that they may be enabled truly to declare it to others. (2.) We must be ourselves divinely taught by the Lord Jesus, before we can possibly teach others.
* See the Note prefixed to the Preliminary Remarks on this vision.
2nd, The measuring reed in the hand of the glorious Person before mentioned, was six cubits long, exceeding the common cubit by a hand's breadth.
The outer wall is first measured, three yards and a half high, and of the same breadth. The church is a sacred inclosure, and safely protected by the power and love of him, who is as a wall of fire round about his people.
In this wall were three gates, at the east, the north, and south; typical, it may be, of Jesus the way to God, no man coming to the Father but by him. The ascent to the gates was by seven steps; intimating, that when we go to the temple, we should lift up our hearts to God. The little chambers adjoining to the gate, should teach all true worshippers, especially ministers, to seek no great things here below; and they were many, for in our Father's house are many mansions. Each chamber had windows, for all believers enjoy the light of the divine word: the windows were narrow, the measure of our knowledge here below being at the best imperfect. The different courts may intimate the different estates of God's people, some of whom maintain more intimate communion with him than others. The posts, with palm-trees engraven on them, represent the strength and flourishing condition of the saints of God, never overwhelmed by the heaviest afflictions, and triumphing over all their foes. The glittering pavement may teach us where all the glories of this present world should be put, even under our feet.
3rdly, The inner court here described appears exactly similar to the outer; for though some Christians are much more advanced than others, yet all bear the same image of Christ, differing only as brethren of several statures. By eight steps was the ascent into this court; the nearer we approach to God, the more shall we be raised above the world, and the things of it.
4thly, We have notice taken,
1. Of the tables, to slay and prepare the sacrifices for the altar. Before we draw near to God, we should prepare our offering, and not be rash with our lips, to utter any thing before God.
2. The chambers; some for the singers, others for the priests, who had the care of the house and the altar. They who serve at the temple, deserve a provision there.
3. The altar in the inner court represents the Lord Jesus; and as it stood in the centre against the three gates, all the worshippers in the most distant court could look to it: for him, in all our worship, we must ever keep in view, by whom alone we have access unto God.
4. Before the temple was a porch, with pillars, probably like Jachin and Boaz, intimating the stability and beauty of the Gospel church.