Ezekiel 44:10

“And the Levites that are gone away far from me, &c.] These Levites were priests, as appears from (<264413>Ezekiel 44:13), who professed themselves Gospel preachers, ministers of the reformed churches; but departed from the reformation principles; erred from the faith; and either mixed it with the doctrines of men, or wholly dropped, concealed, or dissembled it; departed from the word of God, as the rule of faith and practice; and set up their own reason as their guide in matters of religion; were gone off from the pure worship of God and his ordinances, and entirely neglected the discipline of his house: when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; though there…”

“Levites . . . shall . . . bear--namely, the punishment of their iniquity . . . Yet they shall be ministers--So Mark, a Levite, nephew of Barnabas (Act 4:36), was punished by Paul for losing an opportunity of bearing the cross of Christ, and yet was afterwards admitted into his friendship again, and showed his zeal (Act 13:13; Act 15:37; Col 4:10; Ti2 4:11). One may be a believer, and that too in a distinguished place, and yet lose some special honor--be acknowledged as pious, yet be excluded from some dignity [BENGEL]. charge at the gates--Better to be "a doorkeeper in the house of God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psa 84:10). Though standing as a mere doorkeeper, it is in the…”

“Admonition to the ministering priests, grounded upon former neglect. Ezekiel 44:4 The north gate before the house - The north gate of the inner court. God expostulates with His people in the seat of their former idolatries Ezekiel 8:3. Ezekiel 44:5 Mark well - The careful arrangements made had all been intended to keep the temple and its surroundings from profanation. Hence, attention to these particulars is enjoined. Ezekiel 44:7 Strangers - This refers especially to the sin of unauthorized and unfaithful priests ministering in the services of the temple. Compare marginal references. Ezekiel 44:8 Mine holy things - The altar, its sacrifices, the sacred utensils, and the like. For yourselves…”

“Are gone away - By their idolatry. Ezekiel 44:11”

“44:10 when Israel strayed away from me to worship idols: The people had a long history of failing to follow God’s plan for worship, including the specific sin of employing foreigners as temple guards (44:8).”

“the Levites: Eze 44:15, Eze 22:26, Eze 48:11; Kg2 23:8, Kg2 23:9; Ch2 29:4, Ch2 29:5; Neh 9:34; Jer 23:11; Zep 3:4; Ti1 5:22 bear: Gen 4:13; Lev 19:8; Num 5:31; Psa 38:4; Isa 53:11 Ezekiel 44:11”