16 they shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my instruction.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Come near to my table - To place the shew-bread there, and to burn incense on the golden altar in the holy of holies.
They shall enter into my sanctuary,.... Both to officiate, and to participate, which strangers and uncircumcised persons might not do, Ezekiel 44:9,
and they shall come near to my table to minister unto me; which some understand of the altar of burnt offering, which was as a table, and the sacrifice on it was the food of the Lord, Leviticus 3:11, others, the altar of incense; see Ezekiel 41:22. Kimchi interprets it of the table of shewbread; but, whatever is meant in the letter, the mystical sense is, the ordinance of the Lord's supper, called the Lord's table, 1-Corinthians 10:21, a table richly spread, and well furnished with spiritual provision: here Christ himself sits, bids his people welcome, eats with them, and they with him; and here all the saints are guests, and ministers in particular officiate:
and they shall keep my charge; continue to do so; for this they did before, Ezekiel 44:15, but now should be confirmed in their office, and never be displaced, as others; they that honour God he will honour, 1-Samuel 2:30.
Into my sanctuary - Both to the altar, to the temple, and the high - priest into the holy of holies. Come near - To set the shew - bread on, and to take it off. To minister - To offer sacrifice at the altar, and incense in the house. God will put marks of honour upon those who are faithful to him in trying times, and will, employ those in his service, who have kept close to it, when others drew back.
*More commentary available at chapter level.