Ezekiel 44:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The directives for the priests continue, and it is crucial to note that it does not merely state, They shall keep the sabbaths holy, or as Isaiah said, Your new moons and sabbaths My soul hates (Isaiah 1:14); rather it asserts, My sabbaths. Consequently, we find it recorded in the Gospel that 'the priests in the temple desecrate the sabbath, yet they are blameless' (Matthew 12:5), referring not to God's sabbath but to the literal sabbath of the Jews, rightfully violated by those of the chosen, royal priestly lineage. Moreover, we should understand the sanctity of the sabbath in the way the apostle teaches it is a rest for the people of God, as it is declared, If they shall enter into My rest (Psalms 94:11), which in Hebrew is named the Sabbath. The individual who does not bear the burden of sin on the sabbath, who does not express, 'The burden is heavy upon me' (Psalm 37:5), observes God's sabbath. This person does not gather sticks on the sabbath, nor in the light of Jesus Christ does he build with wood, hay, or straw (1 Corinthians 3); he refrains from igniting fires that consume what is worthless, but remains stationary on the sabbath, likened to a pillar within the temple of God. John writes in the Revelation: I will make the victor a pillar in the temple of My God, and they shall not depart from there (Revelation 3:12). Regarding the command that they shall not approach a corpse, to avoid defilement, it is articulated that the priest must not come into contact with the dead, ensuring that he who intercedes for the sins of others approaches the altar in purity (Matthew 8:22). They incur defilement through a deceased father when they neglect their Creator, and through a deceased mother when they turn away from the Church. They are similarly affected by a son or daughter; these pertain to thoughts and actions, the latter more vividly expressed in Greek as τὰ νοητὰ καὶ αἰσθητα. If a brother or sister is recognized as spiritually dead by the same Spirit, the priest is defiled by that, but only by a sister if she remains a virgin and is untouched by any man. Thus, we see the unique aspect of virginity, whereby any physical contact diminishes perfect purity. We leave it to the reader to determine whether this assertion holds merit. Also apparent is the structure that aligns with divine order: according to the expression of love, as written: ‘Begin to love Me’ (Song 2:4), the ultimate love belongs to the Father of all creation, followed by love for one’s natural father and mother, son and daughter, brother and sister, but only if they have not separated from home and entered into another’s possession. After the priest has completed the purification protocol as outlined in the Mosaic law, then seven days shall be counted toward him. This signifies either the perfect number of repentance or prepares him to enter the holy of holies—the inner court—having fulfilled what is required, and to serve in the sanctuary, offering sacrifices for his conscience's sin while constantly recalling his defilement through father, mother, son, daughter, brother, and sister. In this world’s constraints, we find ourselves compelled to act in many ways, either through carnal demands or through the frailty of our nature. Yet, whoever among them ministers in the sanctuary, entering the inner court and persistently presenting sacrifices to God, thus becoming a true priest or a reflection of Him of whom it is written, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Psalms 109:4), will own no inheritance aside from God—who serves as his inheritance—and shall not acquire property in Israel, which signifies among the common folk, but shall attain his priestly inheritance, for the Lord will declare of him, I am the inheritance, and I am their possession. Once they have embraced Him, they will joyfully affirm, ‘I will hold fast to Him and will not let go,’ and they will echo the sentiments of the psalmist, ‘The Lord is my portion’ (Psalm 72:26).