Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryEzekiel 46

Rules Relating to WorshipThis section sets out rules for public worship in the temple. Some details are different from the law of Moses, so people in later times may have seen these rules as symbolic, not literal. The instructions show that God cares about both the place of worship and how people approach Him. Both leaders and ordinary people are included in these rules, which teach respect, order, and wholehearted devotion when coming before God.v. 1–3: The east gate of the temple is usually shut, but it must be opened on the sabbath and on new moon festivals (Ezekiel 46:1 ). It can also be opened when the prince brings a voluntary offering (Ezekiel 46:12 ). The prince does not walk straight through the gate, but stands at the threshold to worship and watch the priests at the altar (Ezekiel 46:2 ). The people stand behind him and worship at the door of the gate (Ezekiel 46:3 ). This shows that even the highest leaders must humble themselves before God, just as King David wanted to be a doorkeeper in God’s house (I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Psalm 84:10 ). Christ is the true Prince who can truly draw near to God (Jeremiah 30:21 ).

v. 4–5: On the sabbath, the offerings are greater than in the law of Moses. Instead of four lambs, six lambs and a ram are offered by the prince (Ezekiel 46:4 ). This teaches us that we should give more to God on special days. For the lambs, the prince can give as much as he is able (Ezekiel 46:5 ). God is pleased with generous giving, but He only asks us to give what we truly can (1 Corinthians 16:2 ).

v. 6–7: On the new moon, an extra offering is made. Besides the usual sacrifices, a young bull is also offered (Ezekiel 46:6 ). The meat-offering for the bull and ram is larger than before— a whole ephah of flour and a hin of oil for each (Ezekiel 46:7 ). This shows that in times of blessing, God expects us to give back more.

v. 8–10: When the prince comes in, he must enter through the porch of the east gate and leave the same way. The people, when they come to worship, must leave through the opposite gate from where they entered (Ezekiel 46:9 ). This helps keep order and gives people time to think about what they have seen and heard. The prince is among the people as they worship and as they leave (Ezekiel 46:10 ). Leaders should set a good example in worship and encourage others to join them.

v. 11–12: On feast days and for voluntary offerings, the rules for sacrifices are the same as on the new moons. The prince may also bring voluntary burnt-offerings or peace-offerings. When he does, the east gate is opened for him, but closed again when he leaves (Ezekiel 46:12 ).

v. 13–15: Each morning, a lamb is offered as a burnt-offering to the Lord

Laws Concerning the Prince's InheritanceThis section gives clear rules about how the prince can give away his land. The laws are made to make sure the prince’s power is fair and that he cannot take land from the people for his own family. God wants to protect the rights of every person and keep leaders from using their position selfishly.v. 16: If the prince has a son whom he favors, he can give part of his land to that son as a permanent inheritance . This is like when Jacob gave Joseph a special portion above his brothers (I have given to you one portion above your brothers, Genesis 48:22 ). The land must stay in the family and cannot be given away to others forever.

v. 17: If the prince wants to reward a servant, he can let the servant use the land for a time, but the land will return to the prince and his family in the year of liberty . The servant does not have the right to keep it forever. This shows there is a big difference between a child and a servant. As Jesus said, The servant does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever (John 8:35 ).

v. 18: The prince can only give land to his children from his own land, not from the land that belongs to the people . He must not take away the inheritance of anyone in Israel to make his own family richer. It is wrong for rulers to take what belongs to the people. Good leaders protect the rights of others and do not take away what is not theirs. When rulers treat people fairly, they win the people’s love and loyalty, which is better than gaining riches by force.

Buildings about the TempleThis section describes some special buildings around the temple that had not been mentioned before. These buildings were kitchens for preparing the offerings. God wanted everything to be done in an orderly way, so He made sure there were proper places for the priests to cook the holy food. This shows that God cares about both big and small details in worship.v. 19: There were special rooms near the entrance to the inner court. These rooms were for the priests to use when they boiled the offerings. The priests needed a lot of space because many offerings were brought to the altar.

v. 20: In these rooms, the priests boiled the meat from the trespass-offerings and sin-offerings, which were the most sacred portions given to them. They also baked their share of the meat-offering here. The priests were not allowed to take this food out to the outer court, so that people would not think that touching holy food could make them holy. This rule protected people from superstitious ideas, as it says in If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and touches bread or stew... (Haggai 2:12 ).

v. 21–23: There were also kitchens in each of the four corners of the outer court (Ezekiel 46:21-23 ). These extra kitchens meant there was enough room for everything to be prepared properly, so nothing was wasted. Every part of the temple was used for a good purpose, showing respect for the holy ground.