Ezekiel Chapter 44 Vs. 10-14

The Temple Ministers

Ezekiel 44:10-14

The duties of the Levites for the new temple were explained to Ezekiel. Because of their sinful practices before Israel’s fall to Babylon, their position will be downgraded in the new temple from ministers to servants.

“Levites … shall even bear their iniquity”: God makes distinctions. Levites in the line of those unfaithful in days before the judgment can minister in temple services but they cannot make offerings or enter the Most Holy Place.

Only Zadok’s line can fulfill these ministries, verses 15-16. The reason for this is the value which God attaches to the faithfulness of Zadok in the past.

They will be allowed to serve as gatekeepers, slayers of the sacrifices, and to help the worshipers. The Levites will now do the lesser jobs in the sanctuary as they have been demoted. There were different positions of work in the temple. Some saw to the servile duties, and others were called priests and the high priest to work with the holy things. However, they will not be allowed to serve the Lord as priests or come near any of His holy things or… offerings. It appears these apostate priests had led them in the worship of false gods. They had not been good watchmen. God holds those in ministry more responsible for idolatry, than He does the people who are just following. It appears, those He is speaking to here, had been in near association with God. Perhaps, this is even speaking of the high priest, as well as the priests. God will no longer allow them to handle the holy things in the temple. They will be reduced to servitude. They will not be released from their obligation to serve. They will just do the things preparing for the priests and high priest. The tasks of the Levites in Solomon’s temple were more extensive (cf. 1Ch. 15:16; 16:4; 23:28-31).