The prophecies of this section Eze. 20–23 were delivered nearly a year after those of the former Ezekiel 8:1. Ezekiel in reply to other inquiries from the chieftains of the people, sets forth their national history, the national judgment, and the hope of divine mercy. This leads up to the prediction... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL - These were as in Ezekiel 14:1, some of Ezekiel’s fellow-exiles, designated in general terms by the name of Israel, though more properly belonging to the kingdom of Judah.... [ Continue Reading ]
ENQUIRE - As to the hope of deliverance from the Babylonians.... [ Continue Reading ]
WILT THOU JUDGE THEM? - We should rather say, Wilt thou not judge them? i. e., wilt thou not pronounce sentence upon them? Compare Ezekiel 22:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
The children of Israel in Egypt were warned to abstain from the idolatry of the pagan. This purpose they lost sight of, yet God spared them and brought them into another state of probation. Ezekiel 20:5 LIFTED UP MINE HAND - i. e., sware, because the hand was lifted up in adjuration. Ezekiel 20:8... [ Continue Reading ]
The probation in the wilderness. The promise was forfeited by those to whom it was first conditionally made, but was renewed to their children. Ezekiel 20:11 The “statutes” were given on Mount Sinai, and repeated by Moses before his death (Exodus 20:1 ff; Deuteronomy 4:8). IN THEM - Or, through t... [ Continue Reading ]
The probation in the land of Canaan from their entry to the day of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 20:27 YET IN THIS - It was an aggravation of their guilt that they defiled with idolatry the land given them for their glory. Ezekiel 20:29 BAMAH - The Hebrew word for “high place.” Another instance of the pervers... [ Continue Reading ]
God’s future dealings with His people: (1) in judgment Ezekiel 20:32; (2) in mercy Ezekiel 20:39. Ezekiel 20:32 The inquirers had thought that if Jerusalem were taken, and the whole people became sojourners in a foreign land, they would cease to be a separate nation. In their love for idolatry so... [ Continue Reading ]
This paragraph is in the Hebrew text, Septuagint and Vulgate the beginning of Ezekiel 21 to which it belongs, as it contains a prophecy delivered in a form which is there explained. It may, however, be regarded as a link between the foregoing and following prophecies, being a general introduction to... [ Continue Reading ]