Ezekiel 9:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Commencing from the holy place, specifically from the priests who have desecrated the sacred space, as well as from those unrighteous individuals who worship the sun between Elam and the altar.

I shall also express, echoing the words of the blessed Apostle Paul, ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’ (Hebrews 10:31); and I will include the wisdom of King David, ‘Blessed are they that keep judgment, and do righteousness at all times’ (Psalm 105:3); for on the day of reckoning, the Lord will save them. (Ps. 105: 105.) We can observe both truths in the message delivered by the Prophet; some are mercilessly scattered along with the entire lineage, and their punishment affects all generations, while others are justly preserved and remain separate from the former group.

If those appointed to the priesthood encounter scripture instructing them not to engage in virtuous practices but merely to teach verbally, let them continue in the mindset they have chosen. However, if the Word of God consistently commends those who pursue virtue and rejects those who wish to teach solely through words, why do they neglect the commands of the Divine and elevate the priesthood as a self-sufficient authority? The Divine mandates require those who hold the priestly office to be primarily devoted to service and accomplishments, setting an example for others. When the faithful observe those in authority diligently laboring, they are encouraged to aspire to a noble life out of respect. Often, it is not merely words that inspire action but the character of the instructors.