Today's reading is part of the extended vision at the end of Ezekiel which foretells the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is a specific prophecy for the descendants of the priestly families. During the period of decline in Jerusalem, sometimes the priests -- who should have known better -- failed to uphold the teachings of Torah. Instead, many priests also accommodated the foreign traditions (and sometimes foreign gods) of others. These priests -- and their descendants -- will not be allowed in the rebuilt Temple. However, member of the one family who refused to do such things (the house of Zadok), will be the ones who will serve as priests in the reestablished kingdom. These people -- who had kept the faith -- will be the ones responsible to teach "the difference between the holy and the common."
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]
