_GOD ANSWERETH IDOLATERS ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN HEART. THEY ARE EXHORTED TO REPENT, FOR FEAR OF JUDGMENTS BY MEANS OF SEDUCED PROPHETS. GOD'S IRREVOCABLE SENTENCE OF FAMINE, OF NOISOME BEASTS, OF THE SWORD, AND OF PESTILENCE. A PENITENT REMNANT SHALL BE RESERVED FOR EXAMPLE TO OTHERS._ _Before Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN CAME CERTAIN OF THE ELDERS— The prophet tells us neither the names nor the intention of these _elders of Israel,_ nor the time when they came to him. But the manner wherein God speaks, gives us to understand, that they came only to tempt him, as the Pharisees came to Christ, and with no design... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE MEN HAVE SET UP THEIR IDOLS— They are not only inclined to idolatry in their hearts, but have actually set up idols, and worshipped them. However, the prophet shews plainly, that their idolatries consisted not in intirely deserting, but in polluting the religion of Moses with foreign worship.... [ Continue Reading ]
I THE LORD WILL ANSWER HIM THAT COMETH— That is, I will take care that the false prophet shall so answer him as his idolatries have deserved. See on Ezekiel 14:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY TAKE THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, &C.— "That I may deal with them according to their deserts, and thereby convince them that I am a searcher of hearts, and know the inward and secret wickedness of their thoughts.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE STRANGER— _Of the proselyte who sojourneth in Israel, who estrangeth himself,_ &c. By _myself I Jehovah will answer him, even by myself._... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE PROPHET BE DECEIVED— The reader will observe, that Ezekiel, or God by Ezekiel, is here speaking of false prophets or anti-prophets, as described in the foregoing chapter; such as had set themselves up in opposition to the true prophets of God. They were prophets _that prophesied out of their... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE LAND SINNETH AGAINST ME— The design of this and the following verses is, to shew that when the inhabitants of a land have filled up the measure of their iniquities, and God ariseth to execute judgment upon them, the few righteous among them shall not be able to deliver the nation from the j... [ Continue Reading ]
IN BLOOD— _By the pestilence._ Houbigant. The Chaldee reads, _With great slaughter._... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL SEE THEIR WAY, &C.— "Their afflictions shall bring them to a due sense of their former iniquities; and, escaping from these sore judgments, they shall humbly confess their own sins, and the sins of those who were consumed in the destruction of their city: whence it will appear, that I have... [ Continue Reading ]