EZEKIEL CHAPTER 5 Under the type of the prophet's hair, EZEKIEL 5:1, is showed God's judgment upon Jerusalem, EZEKIEL 5:5, by pestilence, by famine, by the sword, and by dispersion, EZEKIEL 5:12. It is not unlikely that this command was given to the prophet so soon as he had understood the former ch... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse tells you into how many parts the hair was to be divided, and how to be disposed of, and so plain it needs little explication. WITH FIRE; so either pestilence, or famine, with the displeasure of God, and the burning of the city and of the citizens, is noted. THE CITY, described on the til... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREOF, i.e. of the last third which were to be dispersed. A FEW, or small quantity. IN NUMBER; or, by number, as THEM IN THY SKIRTS; as men tie up in a handkerchief, or in the skirt of their garment, what they would not lose. So some few shall be kept, God will not cut off the whole house of Israe... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN TAKE OF THEM AGAIN; another division make of that little number, the preserved remnant. Throw some of them into the fire; they are not all to be saved who are delivered at the end of the siege. BURN THEM; literally burn the hair, but signify the burning them that are meant by it. IN THE FIRE of... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD: this solemn declaration in God's name the prophet useth by express order, EZEKIEL 3:11. THIS portrayed city's typically Jerusalem, and her inhabitants. I HAVE placed her in a most delightful situation, chosen out the best part of the known world for her; in a neighbourhood t... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE; Jerusalem, the metropolis, where the temple and the solemn feasts and sacrifices were, which in likelihood was forwardest, fullest, and most expensive on other invented modes of worship; she who was most obliged to me. HATH CHANGED: the Hebrew includes a rebellion and contumacy; and these were... [ Continue Reading ]
YE MULTIPLIED: there is some difficulty in assigning what it is they multiplied in, either numbers of people, benefits received from God, luxury, pride, tumultuousness, with increase of your riches; or in idols, superstitions, and appendant wickednesses. This last seems most agreeable with the text;... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE; it is very just what God doth, he hath cause more than enough given him to do so. BEHOLD; take notice, and consider me, not as now for you, but against you. You look to the instruments, to the rod, but, behold, I am, even I am, against you, against thee, O Jerusalem. WILL EXECUTE JUDGMENT... [ Continue Reading ]
Though the old world perished by water, and the judgment was greater in its extent, and Sodom was destroyed by fire, yet neither one or other was so lingering a death. These poor Jews were long dying, and felt themselves dying. Read the Lamentations as commentary on this text, or Josephus's Wars of... [ Continue Reading ]
And this explains what is above threatened. No history I know of that does mention any thing like this; barbarous Indians sell one another, and some report (as I take it) that children among them unnaturally murder aged parents, but they eat them not. IN THE MIDST OF THEE; it may intimate their doin... [ Continue Reading ]
AS I LIVE; a form of an oath becoming none but the living God, used often in Scripture and in this prophet. DEFILED; violated and profaned. MY SANCTUARY; my temple. WITH ALL THY DETESTABLE THINGS; not that all they did abominably was done in the temple; but either because they never heeded how they... [ Continue Reading ]
From this to the end of the chapter we have a particular and more express declaration how God would execute these severe judgments upon this people. WITH PESTILENCE; no doubt, though it were not mentioned or threatened, as JEREMIAH 34:17, we might conclude it could not but be in such a besieged city... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS; in this terrible and relentless manner already declared. MINE ANGER; my provoked justice, not passion, shall be executed to the full of that I intend and have spoken. MY FURY: after the manner of man is this spoken, and implies the great and hot displeasure of the Lord. TO REST; my bowels were... [ Continue Reading ]
Judgments should empty the land of men that might till and manure it, and so your fruitful land shall be turned and continued a waste and desolate land. A REPROACH, JEREMIAH 24:9, JEREMIAH 29:18,22; a reproach or curse; men should taunt at them, and, in wishing the worst they can, wish their enemies... [ Continue Reading ]
A REPROACH: see EZEKIEL 5:14. A TAUNT; a very proverb among men. AN INSTRUCTION; sinners like thee shall learn by thy miseries what they may expect from me, and they shall acknowledge Divine justice in all. WHEN I SHALL EXECUTE JUDGMENTS, in highest degrees of severity. I THE LORD; I, who can do it,... [ Continue Reading ]
I SHALL SEND; it is a messenger that goes not till God sends, and ever goes when he sendeth; he sends cleanness of teeth. THE EVIL ARROWS; either because thunder, tempests, locusts, blastings, &c., which cause famine, are sent by him, and fly like arrows; or because, like arrows shot forth, they pie... [ Continue Reading ]
EVIL BEASTS; Heb. _evil beast_: either the king of Babylon, which, like a ravenous and insatiable beast, tore and devoured all. Or, literally, lions, bears, &c., which are one of his four sore judgments, EZEKIEL 14:21. BEREAVE THEE, of your children, friends, and your own life; when you flee to moun... [ Continue Reading ]