THEOSISJerome of Stridon
He brought me to the entrance located at the rear of the gate leading into the storage areas of the sanctuary for the priests, which faced north. I saw a designated area to the west. He explained that this is where the priests would prepare the guilt and sin offerings, as well as bake the grain offering, to prevent them from being taken into the outer court and treating the people as holy. He then took me into the outer court and guided me around its corners, revealing courts located at each corner. Each of these four courts measured forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide, uniformly sized. There existed a surrounding wall enclosing the courts, with ovens positioned nearby the dining areas, creating a place for the preparation of the people's sacrifices.
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The man, who routinely guided me, led me through that particular entrance without specifying whether it was on the east, south, or some other side. He brought me to the sanctuary and the priests' quarters, which were oriented to the north and west, correlating to the sea as understood in the context of the Jewish territory. It is important to note that the area designated for the priests, where the guilt and sin offerings are cooked, is in the outer court to the north and west, where the cold winds begin and where the sun sets. This indicates that all food-related matters necessitate a sacrifice for sin. If an offering is made for unintentional sin, it is even more crucial for known transgressions, as illustrated by Job who regularly sacrificed on behalf of his sons in case they had sinned unknowingly.
The instruction not to carry the offerings into the outer court signifies that they should not be carelessly handed over to the unclean, aligning with the teaching not to cast pearls before swine or deliver sacred items to dogs. Consequently, Moses commanded the people to consecrate themselves for three days from all impurity, including from their spouses, prior to approaching Mount Sinai, so that they might receive the holy things. The necessity for those receiving the word of God to sanctify themselves underscores the guidance found in the apostolic letters about mutual abstinence for prayer.
The same individual led me into the outer court and took me around its four corners, confirming the existence of courts in each corner. This indicates that the area I left belonged to the priests, situated to the north, where the sin offerings were prepared. The various courts described in Scripture, such as the temple's courts mentioned in the Psalms, signify distinct areas of worship. John refers to this by asserting that he has other sheep not of this fold, which he must guide to have one flock under one shepherd, indicating both spiritual and physical realms of the faithful.
The four corners of the main court symbolize the four corners of the earth, emphasizing that we labor not in vain as we earn our daily bread. Each of these smaller courts, designated for preparation, matched in size and significance, relating to periods of trial and maturity, as seen in the forty-day fasts of Moses, Elijah, and Christ. The message of sustenance extends to the teaching that in life's journey, satisfaction is found not in abundance but in contentment with what is necessary.
Where sustenance is prepared, there is also trial, and ultimately, we will partake of heavenly nourishment, not earthly food. The equal measurement of the four courts signifies the world’s nations, reminding us that diligent work is essential for physical provision. These courts were either encased by a single wall or situated close to the areas designated for dining, where food preparations occurred, signifying the vital connection between sacrifice and sustenance for the priests, who are reminded through these offerings of their purpose, as nothing else should be sought in the temple than what is personal to them.