Eze 43:7a And [the Lord] said to [Ezekiel], “Son of man, this is 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 forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings …

This verse comes towards the end of the book of Ezekiel where God gives him a vision of a new temple. The description of the temple is given in great detail but no physical building has been constructed following this pattern. Clearly, it was foretelling what the Lord would do with the church in the New Testament.

Buried in the middle of the detailed description is this verse, which expresses the deepest longings of God’s heart. The second half of the verse establishes the changes He will make to those that are to be His people. The Old Testament people of Israel had not maintained their testimony to God nor their dedication to the Lord. Many times God expresses His concern that His name has been sullied by their behaviour. But now He is going to do something new! As He has already expressed to Ezekiel; those that will be His people will receive a new heart, one that will keep them from defiling His name by living in sin and uncleanness. For those that desire this, God will make them anew so that they live for Him and unto Him in holiness and righteousness.

On the basis of this new work that God will do in His people, He will be able to fulfil the greatest desire of His heart. That is to be welcomed by and dwell amongst those that are His. His dwelling place will be a throne, not just to receive the adoration of His people, but also to protect and rule over them in love and mercy and with great justice. He will find a place of welcome in the hearts of those that honour His name and in this present time establish His kingdom throughout the earth: … you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house … (1Pe 2:5a)