43:1ff This is the culmination of chapters 40–42 because God’s glory returns to the Temple. It reverses the negative tone of the book and serves as a fitting end for all the passages dealing with the blessings reserved for the restored remnant. All true believers should long for that moment when God’s name will finally be glorified and he will live among his people forever.
43:3 The Chebar River connected with the Euphrates River and was the location of a Jewish settlement of exiles in Babylonia.
43:9-11 God’s departure from the city had been a signal for the destruction of the city and the Temple. Now for God to return, his conditions had to be met: Idolatry had to be removed. Some commentators feel these verses indicate that Ezekiel was commanding the people of his day to build this Temple according to the designs and regulations that the angelic architect had given. But the people never repented and the conditions were not met, so the fulfillment was postponed.
43:12 The basic law of God’s Temple was holiness. In all he does, God is holy, perfect, and blameless. There is no trace of evil or sin in him. Just as God is holy, so we are to be holy (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15, 16). People are holy when they are devoted to God and separated from sin. It is important to understand the concept of holiness in order that we may progress in our Christian growth.
43:18-27 This vision was simultaneously flashing back to Mount Sinai and forward to Mount Calvary. When the people returned from exile, they would seek forgiveness through the sacrificial system instituted in Moses’ day. Today, Christ’s death has made the forgiveness of our sins possible, making us acceptable to God (Hebrews 9:9-15). God stands ready to forgive those who come to him in faith.