_What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel_ With respect to the desolations made in it by the sword, famine, and pestilence. _The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge_ The present generation is punished for the offences committed by thei... [ Continue Reading ]
_As I live; saith the Lord, ye shall not have occasion to use this proverb any more in Israel_ I will make such a visible discrimination between the righteous and the wicked, between those that tread in the steps of their forefathers and those who take warning by their examples, that you shall not h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, all souls are mine_ As they are all equally my creatures, and in my power, so my dealings with them shall be without prejudice or partiality. _The soul that sinneth, it shall die_ The very same man that committeth sin shall be punished for it. Some commentators explain this of the temporal... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a man be just_ Or _righteous_, rather, as the word צדיק properly signifies; for it is not mere honesty, but true religion that is intended. _And hath not eaten upon the mountains_ Feasted on the sacrifices they offered to false gods. Idolatrous worship was commonly performed upon mountains or hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_If he_ The righteous man before described, who transmits his human nature, but cannot transmit his graces and virtues to his son; _beget a son who is a robber_, &c. Who is guilty of any of the evil practices above mentioned; _and that doeth not any of those duties_ That lives in the neglect of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father?_ God here puts into the prophet's mouth what he knew the Jews would object (at least in their minds) to the foregoing declarations, namely, that they would deny what the prophet had said on this head, and would appeal to facts and e... [ Continue Reading ]
_But if the wicked will turn from all his sins_ That is, repent and bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. _He shall surely live_ He shall escape punishment: he shall be pardoned, and it shall be well with him in time and in eternity; as if he had said, So far is God from punishing the sins of guil... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness,_ &c. “The question here,” say some commentators, “is not whether truly righteous men ever do thus apostatize.” No? Surely it is the question, and the sole question: for if the truly righteous (of whom alone the prophet is speaking, and not... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal_, &c. Yet ye allege that I do not act according to the strict rules of justice and equity: but “the declarations I have so often repeated concerning the eternal rewards and punishments allotted to the righteous and the wicked, are sufficient to vindicate... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore will I judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways_, &c. You complain of the injustice of my ways or proceedings; but if I judge you according to the desert of your ways, you will certainly be all found guilty: and nothing but repentance, and a real turning to God in hea... [ Continue Reading ]