This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The gate of the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be opened. – Ezekiel 46:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (June 13, 2017): Ezekiel 46

In September 1997, Queen Elizabeth II did something that she rarely does for anyone. At the funeral of her daughter-in-law Princess Diana Spencer, the Queen bowed her head in a gesture of respect. Two things made this a notable moment. First, the Queen is not required to bow her head to any mortal person (she does, most likely, bow her head to her God). She is the Queen of the British Commonwealth; she occupies the top rung of the respect ladder. At the most, the people that she comes in contact with are equals, and that might not even be true, especially for the Brits. So people bow to her, she does not bow to others. I am not sure it is right to say that she never bows to others, but it is a rare sight to see her give that kind of respect. The second thing that made this moment notable was the ongoing conflict that seemed to be raging at the time between the Royals and the estranged Diana. The gesture of respect appeared to be strangely out of place when compared to the media story of the conflict that was being fed to the public. And so we noticed it.

Sometimes we are defined by the things that we don’t do or rarely do. This one simple act performed by the Queen at a funeral spoke volumes about the Queen’s ability to forgive and extend mercy, even to those with whom she may have disagreed. Not all sovereigns have possessed this quality, and when it is presented, it needs to be noted. If Queen Elizabeth had routinely bowed her head in the presence of others, this act of respect given to Diana wouldn’t have meant so much. Because she didn’t bow to everyone, we note the times that she does give this gesture of respect.

God tells Ezekiel that they inner east gate of the Temple is to be closed on the six working days. But on the Sabbath, and on celebrations of the New Moon, the gate was supposed to be opened. The message that we are intended to take from this is that this gate was unique. It was not to be sullied by the mundane day to day experiences and business of the temple. It was to be reserved for the sacred days devoted to God. On holy days, this is the gate through which the king would make his entrance. Because it was not used every day, this gate was esteemed.

Of course, at the time of Ezekiel, there was no king to make an entrance through this gate. Some have argued that this is the hidden meaning behind the instructions that the gate should be opened for the New Moon or New Light. As such, this becomes a Messianic passage looking forward to the day that the Messiah would come, and a New Light would dawn for Israel. And on that day, the esteemed inner East gate of the Ezekiel’s Temple would open to welcome the King.     

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 47