CHAPTER XIV _Here God threatens those hypocrites who pretended to worship_ _him, while they loved and practised idolatry_, 1-11. _He declares his irreversible purpose of punishing so guilty a_ _nation, in behalf of which no intercession of the people of God_ _shall be of any avail. The gross id... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:3. _THESE MEN HAVE SET UP THEIR IDOLS IN THEIR HEART_] Not only in their houses; in the _streets_; but they had them in their _hearts_. These were _stumbling-blocks_ of iniquity; they _fell over_ _them_, and broke the neck of their souls. And should God be inquired of by such miscre... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:4. _ACCORDING TO THE MULTITUDE OF HIS IDOLS_] I will treat him as an idolater, as a flagrant idolater.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:7. _AND COMETH TO A PROPHET_] Generally supposed to mean a _false prophet_. _I THE LORD WILL ANSWER HIM BY MYSELF_] I shall discover to him, by my own true prophet, what shall be the fruit of his ways. So, while their false prophets were assuring them of peace and prosperity, God'... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:9. _I THE LORD HAVE DECEIVED THAT PROPHET_] That is, he ran before he was sent; he willingly became the servant of Satan's illusions; and I _suffered_ this to take place, because he and his followers refused to consult and serve me. I have often had occasion to remark that it is com... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:10. _THE PUNISHMENT OF THE PROPHET_] They are both equally guilty; both have left the Lord, and both shall be equally punished.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:13. _BY TRESPASSING GRIEVOUSLY_] Having been frequently warned, and having refused to leave their sin, and so filled up the measure of their iniquity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:14. _THOUGH - NOAH, DANIEL, AND JOB_] The intercession even of the holiest of men shall not avert my judgments. _Noah_, though a righteous man, could not by his intercession preserve the old world from being drowned. _Job_, though a righteous man, could not preserve his children fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:21. _MY FOUR SORE JUDGMENTS_] SWORD, _war_. FAMINE, occasioned by _drought_. PESTILENCE, epidemic diseases which sweep off a great part of the inhabitants of a land. The NOISOME BEAST, the multiplication of _wild beasts_ in consequence of the general destruction of the inhabitants.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:22. _BEHOLD, THEY SHALL COME FORTH UNTO YOU_] Though there shall be great desolations in the land of Judea, yet a _remnant_ _shall be left that shall come here also as captives_; and their account of the abominations of the people shall prove to you with what propriety I have acted... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 14:23. _YE SHALL KNOW THAT I HAVE NOT DONE WITHOUT CAUSE_] There is no part of the conduct of God towards man that is not dictated by the purest principles of _justice, equity_, and _truth_. He does nothing but what is _right_; and whatever is right to be done, that _ought_ to be done.... [ Continue Reading ]