Ezekiel 44 Commentary
One word explains chapter 44: Exclusions. First: the East Gate is to remain shut permanently. The LORD God has used it and therefore no mortal can use it. There appears to be an exception. The prince may stand there but never actually use it. It is a mixture of prohibition and permission. Could the scripture be referring to the Prince of Peace who comes with a special mix of divinity and humanity at the same time?
Second: foreigners are strictly forbidden from the Sanctuary. The emphasis is placed on the circumcision of the heart as a requirement for entry – obedience. Mere physical membership or residence among the people of God is not good enough. In today’s terms, mere church membership without circumcision of the heart is rejected.
Third: temple servants who stray are punished with partial exclusion. Could this be a reference to a time of rewards for the saints when performers will be set apart from nonperformers!
Four: the descendants of Zadok are commended. They and only they can come into the Holy Place and serve the LORD. And here is their price: they guarded the LORD’s house when the Israelites went astray.
What is the saint’s position when the world has gone astray? It matters.
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