Eze 8:16 | TNotes | STEP | 8:16 The fourth and crowning act of idolatry took place in the very heart of the Temple complex, in the inner courtyard of the Lord ’s Temple , as close as anyone could approach to the Temple building without actually entering it. • The twenty-five men ... worshiping the sun were possibly priests, as none but priests should have had access to this area, though they might have been non-priests flaunting the rules of access. Though physically closer to the Lord’s presence than anyone else, they had turned their backs to the sanctuary of their Creator. Instead of worshiping him, they worshiped what he had created (cp. Rom 1:25 ).

bRom 1:25►

‏ Ezekiel 8:16

8:16 ^a The fourth and crowning act of idolatry took place in the very heart of the Temple complex, in the inner courtyard of the Lord’s Temple, as close as anyone could approach to the Temple building without actually entering it.

• The twenty-five men ... worshiping the sun were possibly priests, as none but priests should have had access to this area, though they might have been non-priests flaunting the rules of access. Though physically closer to the Lord’s presence than anyone else, they had turned their backs to the sanctuary of their Creator. Instead of worshiping him, they worshiped what he had created (cp. Rom 1:25 ^b).