The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad.
Enlargement upwards
As the temple was highest, so it enlarged itself still upward; for as it ascended in height, so it still was wider and wider; even from thelowest chambers to the top. And this was to show us that God’s true gospel temple, which is His Church, should have its enlargedness of heart still upward, or most for spiritual or eternal things, wherefore He saith, “Thy heart shall fear, and be enlarged,” that is, be most affected with things above (Isa_60:5; Col_3:1). Indeed it is the nature of grace to enlarge itself still upward, and to make the heart widest for the things that are above. The temple therefore was narrowest downwards, to show that a little of earth, or this world, should serve the Church of God. And having food and raiment, let us therewith be content. I read not in Scripture of any house, but this that was thus enlarged upwards; nor is there anywhere, save only in the Church of God, that which doth answer this similitude. All others are widest downward, and have the largest heart for earthly things. (John Bunyan.)
