The Law of the Temple – Intro to Ezek. 40–48: The book of Ezekiel ends as it began: with a vision of the Glory of the Lord. Like all four visions in the book, this one begins with Ezekiel’s favorite expression for entry into the visionary state, “the hand of the LORD was upon me” (40:1; see the discussion of 1:3, and compare 3:14, 22; 8:1; 37:1). However, chapters 40–48 are linked particularly with chapters 1–3 and 8–11, the other two visions of the Lord’s Glory. Not only theme, but also structure join these three visions. Ezekiel gives the precise date for all three to the year, month, and day (1:1; 8:1; 40:1). Also, they are all called “visions of God” (in Heb., marʾot ʾelohim; Ezek. 1:1; 8:3; 40:2). Together, they form a connected plot line that ties the book together. The first vision …