In this chapter we have, I. The appropriating of the east gate of the temple to the prince, Ezek. 44:1–3. II. A reproof sent to the house of Israel for their former profanations of God’s sanctuary, with a charge to them to be more strict for the future, Ezek. 44:4–9. III.

The prophet is here brought to review what he had before once surveyed; for, though we have often looked into the things of God, they will yet bear to be looked over again, such a copiousness there is in them. The lessons we have learned we should still repeat to ourselves.

This is much to the same purport with what we had in the beginning of Ezek. 43:1–31 As the prophet must look again upon what he had before seen, so he must be told again what he had before heard.

The Master of the house, being about to set up house again, takes account of his servants the priests, and sees who are fit to be turned out of their places and who to be kept in, and takes a course with them accordingly. I.

God’s priests must be regulars, not seculars; and therefore here are rules laid down for them to govern themselves by and due encouragement given them to live up to those rules. Directions are here given, I.