Ezekiel 40:43

The double-pronged hooks, each a handbreadth long, were fastened all around the inside of the room, and the flesh of the offering was to be placed on the tables.

Study Bible

The double-pronged hooks
The Hebrew word used here is "שְׁפַתַּיִם" (shephatayim), which refers to hooks or pegs. These hooks were likely used for hanging the sacrificial animals or parts thereof. In the context of the temple, these hooks symbolize the preparation and orderliness required in worship. They remind us of the meticulous care God desires in our approach to Him, emphasizing that worship is not haphazard but intentional and reverent.

each a handbreadth long
The term "handbreadth" is derived from the Hebrew "טֶפַח" (tephach), a unit of measurement approximately equal to four inches or the width of a hand. This specific measurement indicates precision and uniformity in the temple's design, reflecting God's nature of order and detail. It serves as a reminder that every aspect of our worship and service to God should be measured and intentional, reflecting His glory and majesty.

were attached all around the inside of the room
The phrase suggests a comprehensive and encompassing arrangement. The hooks being "all around" signifies the completeness and sufficiency of God's provision for the sacrificial system. It illustrates that God has made full provision for atonement and worship, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who fulfills and completes the sacrificial system.

The tables
The Hebrew word "שֻׁלְחָן" (shulchan) refers to tables or platforms. These tables were essential for the preparation of offerings, symbolizing the place where the sacred meets the practical. In a broader sense, they represent the altar of our hearts, where we prepare and present our lives as living sacrifices to God, as encouraged in Romans 12:1.

were for the flesh of the offerings
The "flesh of the offerings" refers to the sacrificial meat prepared for offerings. This phrase highlights the centrality of sacrifice in the worship of God. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were a means of atonement and communion with God. For Christians, this points to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate offering for sin, fulfilling the requirements of the law and opening the way for eternal communion with God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel receives visions from God, including the detailed vision of a new temple in chapters 40-48.

2. The Temple
The vision describes a future temple, symbolizing God's presence and the restoration of Israel. This temple is not the Second Temple built after the exile but a visionary, idealized temple.

3. The Offerings
The context of the verse involves the sacrificial system, which was central to Israelite worship, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God.

4. Double-pronged hooks
These were likely used for handling the sacrificial meat, indicating the practical aspects of temple service and the importance of order and cleanliness in worship.

5. The Tables
Used for preparing the offerings, these tables highlight the structured and sacred nature of temple rituals.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Order in Worship
The detailed description of temple furnishings, including the hooks and tables, underscores the importance of order and reverence in worship. Our worship should reflect God's holiness and be conducted with care and respect.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The sacrificial system points to the need for atonement and foreshadows Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Reflect on how Christ's sacrifice fulfills the law and offers us a new way to approach God.

God's Presence and Restoration
The vision of the temple represents God's desire to dwell among His people and restore them. Consider how God is working to restore and renew your life today.

Practical Service in Worship
The hooks and tables remind us of the practical aspects of serving God. Every task, no matter how mundane, is significant in the context of worship and service to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the detailed description of the temple furnishings in Ezekiel 40:43 reflect the nature of worship that God desires from His people?

2. In what ways does the sacrificial system in the Old Testament point to the work of Christ as described in the New Testament?

3. How can we apply the principles of order and reverence in our personal and corporate worship today?

4. What does the vision of the temple in Ezekiel teach us about God's desire for restoration and His presence among His people?

5. How can we view our everyday tasks and responsibilities as acts of worship and service to God, similar to the practical roles in the temple?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 1-7
These chapters detail the various offerings and sacrifices, providing background on the significance of the sacrificial system in Israelite worship.

Hebrews 9:11-14
This passage contrasts the Old Testament sacrificial system with the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, emphasizing the fulfillment of the law through Jesus.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Paul speaks of believers as the temple of God, connecting the physical temple's holiness to the spiritual temple of the church.