Ezekiel 44:1

The three outer gates of the *temple were alike. But the outer east gate had the most important position. It was in front of the inner east gate. The inner east gate was in front of the *altar for *sacrifices. And that *altar was in front of the *temple building.

God’s *glory had entered the *temple through the east gate. So he did not turn as he entered the *temple. We can see this in the description of God’s *glory in Ezekiel chapter 1. The *cherubim did not turn (1:9; 1:17). They were looking in all directions. So they did not need to turn, even when they moved.

To ‘turn’ was a word picture. It meant a change of attitudes. But God never changes (Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17). So God’s *glory entered his *temple by a straight route. He did not turn. He had not changed. He was still the same God.