The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 386

Ver. 9.-The true circumcision and the true worshipper. Provisions such as this were no doubt of an educational character, and were intended to teach the Israelites the necessity and the duty of holiness. 'l'he consecrated nation was called to present to Jehovah a pure offering. The alien was denied the privileges appointed for the Israelite; being uncircumcised, and not a child of the covenant, he was forbidden access to the holy place. I. THE SANCTUARY WAS A SYMBOL OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE, FELLOWSHIP, AND FAVOUR. The Lord's holy temple was the scene of the especial manifestation vouch- safed by Jehovah to Israel. The Divine presence, naturally ubiquitous, was for a purpose localized. Here was, so to speak, the point of contact between the God of Israel and his chosen people ; the media of communication being the sacrifices and services ministered by the consecrated priesthood. Here the acceptance and good will of Jehovah were sealed. They who conformed to Divine appointments were cere- monially justified and cleansed; and they who drew near with hearts prepared to receive a spiritUAl blessing were abundantly rewarded. JI, THE SELECTION OF THE CIRCUMCISED AND CONSECRATED, AND THE EXCLUSION OF THE DNCIBCUMClSED AND THE ALIEN, WERE SYMBOLICAL OF THE SPIRITUAL CON- DITIONS OF ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP. No one can suppose that there was" favouritism" in the treatment of worshippers by the just, impartial God; we know that in every nation those who wrought righteousness were accepted. But so far as the temple at Jerusalem was concerned, there were regulations intended to draw attention to the character of true worship, and to the qualifications of acceptable worshippers. No doubt impnre Israelites were. admitted, and just and benevolent aliens were excluded. But all were taught the indispensable necessity of compliance with Divine regulations, and of the possession of prescribed qualifications. 'l'his provision was a preparation for the introduction amongst men of a higher and purer conception of true holiness, that which is not ceremonial, but real. llL IN CHRISTIANITY WE HAVE THE FULFILMENT OF THE TYPE AND PROMISE OF THIS PREPARATORY DIBPENSATION, The religion of Christ lays stress upon the new nature, the new heart, the new birth, the new life. It requires a cleansing, a putting off of the old nature, the circumcision of the spirit. It requires a naturalization in the new and Divine kingdom, a citizenship such as no physical birth and no external legitilation can impart. A man must be born anew and from above in order to enter into the kingdom of God, of heaven. The conditions of acceptable worship at Jerutialem hal'e to be translated into the language of spiritual reality in order to be applicable to the new dispensation. IV. Tim CONDITIONS OF ENTRANCE INTO THE HEBREW SANOTUARY WERE AN ANTICI- PATION OF '.!'HE TEllMS OF' HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP. 'In this, as in so many passages, the prophecies of Ezekiel point on to the language of the Apocalypse, and the reader of the New Testament interprets these ancient declarations, prescriptions, and promises in the light of the closing book of the canon. The ceremonial preparation required of the Hebrew worshipper prefigured the qualifications laid down as a condition of admission into the celesti2.l temple. Into tho abodes of immortal purity there enters nothing that worketh abomination or maketh a lie. The citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem are r;newed and purified and thus fitted for the privileges and occupations of the city whoso BuUder and Maker is God.-T. OH, XLiv. l-31.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 401