Ezekiel 44:1-14, Keep the East Gate Closed/Obey and Worship the God of…

Ezekiel 44:1-14, Keep the East Gate Closed/Obey and Worship the God of Holiness and Glory

 This passage contains instructions to preserve God's holiness and glory. Chs.40-42 speak of the new temple, and chrs.44-46 speak of the new worship. Worship is paramount in our lives of faith. Let us listen carefully to God's Word.

1. Keep the East Gate Closed(1-6) : Preserve God's holiness and glory.
 The gate divides the inside from the outside. God went out through the east gate of the old temple and then re-entered through the east gate of the new temple.
 The east gate is where God's glory enters and leaves. It is also the holy place where God's presence resides and where His glory is revealed. Yet, God commands us to keep this east gate closed. Vs.1-2, “1.Then the man brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east, and it was shut. 2.The Lord said to me, "This gate is to remain shut. It must not be opened; no one may enter through it. It is to remain shut because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it.” Ezekiel followed the guide to the east gate leading to the outer court of the temple. However, it was closed(1). Because the LORD God had entered through that gate, the LORD commanded that it be closed forever. Why? 1) The east gate was opened because God wanted to prevent sin-polluted humans from entering and dwelling in the place where the holy and glorious God had entered. It was to prevent this. God is absolutely holy. He comes with the radiance of His splendid glory. This holiness and glorious presence cannot be taken lightly. God’s glory and holiness are not accessible to anyone. However, there are exceptions. Only the king could enter through the inner gate, into the vestibule of the east gate, and eat before the Lord there. Then he could return by the inner way. Verse 3 says, "3.The prince himself is the only one who may sit inside the gateway to eat in the presence of the Lord. He is to enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way." As the representative and leader of all the people, the king had the privilege of entering and eating before the Lord. However, even he could not enter the inner court.
 We must approach Him with a reverent heart. We must kneel and worship with a spirit of service. Verse 4 says, "4.Then the man brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple. I looked and saw the glory of the Lord filling the temple of the Lord, and I fell facedown." We must always emulate God's holiness in our worship and life.
2) It also signifies the Lord's will to remain present in the temple, no matter what happens. See 43:7,9; 11:22-23. We must worship this God, draw near to Him, and encounter Him. We must see Him with our eyes, hear with our ears all the words of God, and pay attention with all our heart. Verse 5: “The Lord said to me, "Son of man, look carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I tell you concerning all the regulations and instructions regarding the temple of the Lord. Give attention to the entrance to the temple and all the exits of the sanctuary. And we must proclaim this message. Verse 6: “Say to rebellious Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Enough of your detestable practices, people of Israel!’”
 This glorious gate opens through Jesus Christ to those who believe in Him. Jesus is the only gate (Jn.10:9; 14:6). “I am the gate.” “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is the King of glory and the holy passage and bridge that leads us to God. There is no one else who can be our salvation or glory except Jesus Christ. Do we each confess and worship Jesus Christ as the only way to God? Are you perhaps worshipping worldly values, glory, pleasure, or yourself in your heart? This is idolatry and religious practice. God is most heartbroken.

2. Live as a holy priesthood circumcised in heart and body (6-9)
 The holy and glorious God calls the idolatrous Israelites rebels and those who commit abominations. Verse 6, “Say to rebellious Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Enough of your detestable practices, people of Israel!’” God reveals His displeasure with the people’s sins. What provokes His anger? Among the many abominations committed in the sanctuary, He singles out the bringing in of Gentiles into the temple. Verses 7,9. “7.In addition to all your other detestable practices, you brought foreigners uncircumcised in heart and flesh into my sanctuary, desecrating my temple while you offered me food, fat and blood, and you broke my covenant. 8.Instead of carrying out your duty in regard to my holy things, you put others in charge of my sanctuary. 9.This is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter my sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.”
 The Israelites allowed foreigners into the temple and assigned them to perform their duties, including guarding the temple’s sacred objects and managing the temple’s treasury. This does not mean that foreigners could never enter the temple and worship God. Foreigners could enter the temple and worship God, and serve Him. However, God says, “No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh among the foreigners shall enter my sanctuary”(verse 9). The ungodly cannot enter the temple or approach God. Those who approach God must be qualified. They must be circumcised in both body and mind. Salvation is not achieved through bloodlines. John 1:12-13, "But to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent nor of human decision nor of human will, but of God." We must believe only in Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior, and God. Rom.2:29, "But he is a Jew who is one inwardly. And circumcision is that of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God." Only those who truly repent and obey God can enter the temple of the Lord, worship God, and experience His glory. May we all live as holy priests, circumcised in heart and body.

3. Serve God with Holy Obedience (10-14)
 God stripped the Levites of their position as priests, because they neglected the work God had entrusted to them and engaged in idolatry. However, he assigned them limited roles, such as serving, guarding, and keeping as gatekeepers. He emphasized the importance of purity of heart and obedience. We must serve God with holiness and obedience, not mere diligence or ability. Vs.10-14, “10." 'The Levites who went far from me when Israel went astray and who wandered from me after their idols must bear the consequences of their sin. 11.They may serve in my sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and serving in it; they may slaughter the burnt offerings and sacrifices for the people and stand before the people and serve them. 12.But because they served them in the presence of their idols and made the people of Israel fall into sin, therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin, declares the Sovereign Lord. 13.They are not to come near to serve me as priests or come near any of my holy things or my most holy offerings; they must bear the shame of their detestable practices. 14.And I will appoint them to guard the temple for all the work that is to be done in it.” God limits the ministry of the Levitical priests, except for the descendants of Zadok. In the past, the descendants of Abiathar also served as priests. However, because they were idolaters, they were not permitted to enter the temple(11). They could not offer sacrifices to God. They were not allowed to enter the Holy Place or the Most Holy Place(13). Ordinary Levites had to pay the price for the abominations they committed(13).
 Jesus set an example for us by being completely obedient to God the Father. He is the true high priest without sin. Heb.4:15-16(NIV) Jesus is the high priest who enables us to approach the heavenly throne with confidence. Our privilege of approaching is not due to our own righteousness, but to His righteousness. We too have become royal priests in Jesus. Our qualifications for ministry do not lie in our own works or merits, but solely in the merits and righteousness of Jesus. We must live obediently and holy lives in Jesus Christ. God calls us to be priests in Jesus Christ. He circumcises our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Are we all approaching God in Jesus? Are we living a life of holiness and obedience, relying on the precious blood of Jesus' cross? Are we living as responsible priests in God's house, the temple?
Prayer: Holy God of glory, today we stand before your precious Word. We recognize your holiness. We often take your presence too lightly, and we often make worship a habit. Because of our sin, we were unable to stand before closed doors. But Jesus opened those doors. We give thanks to Jesus Christ for opening those closed doors, and let us stand before God in awe. Let us live lives of true worship and obedience to you. Remove the idols within us and follow only you with our hearts. Following Jesus, the true priest, let us live daily as holy worshippers before you. Restore the priestly calling, and let our service become a life of obedience and companionship with Jesus, leading to the salvation of souls. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.