Comments on Ezekiel 44 This chapter continues the subject of the Temple from the previous chapter, but focuses mainly on the ordinances for the Levites. v1-3 The east gate is closed to all traffic (v. 1) after the Lord accepts the Temple as His (v. 2). However, the prince may enter in by another way and eat bread in the porch, or vestibule, of the gate (v. 3). The symbolism is the closing of the east gate memorializes the appearance of the Lord and His acceptance of the Temple. It also serves to indicate that no mortal is permitted, or even able, to enter the Temple in the manner the Lord did, not even the most noble among men, the princes of Judah. But, the princes of Judah may enter in by another way and sit in the vestibule of the east gate and eat bread before the Lord. So, avoiding the east gate becomes an act of deference, it is the Lord's gate and none else are worthy to enter in by it. But, the most noble among men may approach it. Verse 3 also serves to draw a connection between the leadership of Israel and the Temple. The preceding chapter seems to encourage separation of Church and State by forcing the palace outside of the confines of the Temple. But, here, the prince is told to enter into the Temple and approach the east gate and eat bread before the Lord there. Thus, the political leaders of the people are to worship the Lord in the Temple. The implicit message is the political leaders are not to corrupt to the Temple anymore, they are only to enter it to worship the Lord. Thus, the Church and State are divided bureaucratically and administratively, but are to be united spiritually. v3 "the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the Lord", I would assume this is in connection with Num. 15:19 as v. 30 reminds all of the people to observe Num. 20-21. That the prince is permitted to eat in the vestibule of the east gate suggests he is one who should be especially close to the Lord given the Davidic ideal of a prophet-king, cf. 34:23-24, 37:24-25. v4-31 contrasts the unfaithful Levitical priests (v. 6-14) with the faithful ones (v. 15-31). v4-5 To set up the contrast between the ideally sanctified glorious Temple and the previous defiled one, the Lord again reveals His glory to Ezekiel (v. 4). He then reiterates the command to observe all of the ordinances associated with the Temple (v. 5). The text then goes on to detail how inglorious and rebellious the former Temple attendants were. V6-14 The Lord recounts in general the abominations committed in the Temple, which the Levites were to oversee. They violated the Law by permitting non-Israelites, apparently in connection with idol worship, cp. 2 Kings 16:15. They allowed unclean people to participate in sacred feasts (v. 7-9). As a result, those Levites who were unfaithful priests are barred from altar services as priests and are demoted to act as general labor in the Temple (v. 10-14). One would presume the offspring of these banned Levites were subsequently prohibited as well as the rites were lineage- based. Perhaps that is the situation with those described in Ezra 2:61-62. v15-27 In contrast to the above unfaithful priests, the faithful sons of Zadock may continue to minister as priest before the Lord's altar (v. 15-16). The Lord then gives regulations for their conduct in Temple service, all of which are drawn from the Law, as the footnotes in the LDS edition KJV indicate (v. 17-27). v17-27 reiterate the continuity of the Law despite an interruption in Temple worship while in exile in Babylon. In an eschatological setting we would assume the Jews would commit these practices as well as the sacrifices of the previous chapter as they still recognize the Law as binding. In a Millennial setting we would assume the ordinances associated with literal sacrifice would cease and be replaced by symbolic tokens of the same. v28-31 The Levites are also still to have no hereditary lands among Israel, the Temple is to be their portion as dictated by the Law (v. 28). And the Law's statements concerning the offerings going to the priest's support are to be observed as well (v. 29-30). Dietary restrictions are also still in force as well (v. 31). v31 is more aimed at the people than the priests. The people are not permitted to bring them anything but the best when it comes to the Temple offerings. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.