Ezekiel 33:23-33
24. they that inhabit ... wastes of ... Israel--marking the blindness of the fraction of Jews under Gedaliah who, though dwelling amidst regions laid waste by the foe, still cherished hopes of deliverance, and this without repentance. Abraham was one ... but we are many--If God gave the land for an inheritance to Abraham, who was but one (Is 51:2), much more it is given to us, who, though reduced, are still many. If he, with 318 servants, was able to defend himself amid so many foes, much more shall we, so much more numerous, retain our own. The grant of the land was not for his sole use, but for his numerous posterity. inherited the land--not actually possessed it (Ac 7:5), but had the right of dwelling and pasturing his flocks in it [Grotius]. The Jews boasted similarly of their Abrahamic descent in Mt 3:9 and Joh 8:39. 25. eat with the blood--in opposition to the law (Le 19:26; compare Ge 9:4). They did so as an idolatrous rite. 26. Ye stand upon your sword--Your dependence is, not on right and equity, but on force and arms. every one--Scarcely anyone refrains from adultery. 27. shall fall by the sword--The very object of their confidence would be the instrument of their destruction. Thinking to "stand" by it, by it they shall "fall." Just retribution! Some fell by the sword of Ishmael; others by the Chaldeans in revenge for the murder of Gedaliah (Jr 40:1-44:30). caves--(Jud 6:2; 1Sa 13:6). In the hilly parts of Judea there were caves almost inaccessible, as having only crooked and extremely narrow paths of ascent, with rock in front stretching down into the valleys beneath perpendicularly [Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 1.16.4]. 28. most desolate--(Jr 4:27; 12:11). none ... pass through--from fear of wild beasts and pestilence [Grotius]. 30. Not only the remnant in Judea, but those at the Chebar, though less flagrantly, betrayed the same unbelieving spirit. talking against thee--Though going to the prophet to hear the word of the Lord, they criticised, in an unfriendly spirit, his peculiarities of manner and his enigmatical style (Eze 20:49); making these the excuse for their impenitence. Their talking was not directly "against" Ezekiel, for they professed to like his ministrations; but God's word speaks of things as they really are, not as they appear. by the walls--in the public haunts. In the East groups assemble under the walls of their houses in winter for conversation. in the doors--privately. what is the word--Their motive was curiosity, seeking pastime and gratification of the ear (2Ti 4:3); not reformation of the heart. Compare Johanan's consultation of Jeremiah, to hear the word of the Lord without desiring to do it (Jr 42:1-43:13). 31. as the people cometh--that is, in crowds, as disciples flock to their teacher. sit before thee--on lower seats at thy feet, according to the Jewish custom of pupils (De 33:3; 2Ki 4:38; Lu 10:39; Ac 22:3). as my people--though they are not. hear ... not do--(Mt 13:20, 21; Jas 1:23, 24). they show much love--literally, "make love," that is, act the part of lovers. Profess love to the Lord (Mt 7:21). Gesenius translates, according to Arabic idiom, "They do the delights of God," that is, all that is agreeable to God. Vulgate translates, "They turn thy words into a song of their mouths." heart goeth after ... covetousness--the grand rival to the love of God; therefore called "idolatry," and therefore associated with impure carnal love, as both alike transfer the heart's affection from the Creator to the creature (Mt 13:22; Ep 5:5; 1Ti 6:10). 32. very lovely song--literally, a "song of loves": a lover's song. They praise thy eloquence, but care not for the subject of it as a real and personal thing; just as many do in the modern church [Jerome]. play well on an instrument--Hebrew singers accompanied the "voice" with the harp. 33. when this cometh to pass--when My predictions are verified. lo, it will come--rather, "lo it is come" (see Eze 33:22). know--experimentally, and to their cost.
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