But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.
Ver. 9. Shall go out the way of the south gate.] For more easy passage sake, in such a multitude of people. But withal to teach us many things; as (1.) Not to turn our backs upon the holy ordinances; a (2.) To "make straight paths for our feet"; Heb 12:13 not looking back with Lot's wife; Luk 17:32 not longing for the onions of Egypt, as those rebels in the wilderness, but advancing forward with St Paul, Php 3:13-14 looking forthright, Pro 4:25 having our eye upon the mark, and making daily progress toward perfection; (3.) That our memories are frail, and here we shall meet with many things that will withdraw us from thinking upon God; (4.) That our life is but short; a very passage from one gate to another: where to go back - i.e., to add anything to our lives - it is not granted, since our time is limited, Job 14:3 Act 17:26 and we are all hastening to our long home. Ecc 12:5 One being asked what life was? made an answer answerless; for he presently went his way.
a The Jews at this day depart out of the synagogue with their faces still toward the ark, like crabs going backward.