THE EQUITY OF THE DIVINE JUSTICE (chap. 18) EXEGETICAL NOTES.—The judgments announced in chaps. 8, 11, were intended to bring Israel to repentance. But this salutary purpose was frustrated by the manner in which these judgments were interpreted. The people considered themselves as innocent children... [ Continue Reading ]
(Ezekiel 18:5.) EXEGETICAL NOTES.—True righteousness is described as the fulfilment of the commandments of God. Through such righteousness the righteous shall live. Ezekiel 18:5. “THAT WHICH IS LAWFUL AND RIGHT” (Heb.) “Judgment and righteousness.” The deeds must conform to the rule of right, and... [ Continue Reading ]
(Ezekiel 18:10) EXEGETICAL NOTES—Two cases are here supposed: (1). That of a righteous father who begets an unrighteous son. (2). That of a righteous son who refuses to copy the evil example of his father. And the prophet affirms that, in the former case, the righteousness of the father will not a... [ Continue Reading ]
(Ezekiel 18:21.) EXEGETICAL NOTES.—The ways of life and death are here for all set forth. A man’s own sins even, provided they are forsaken, will not exclude him from salvation. “The proof that every one must bear his sin did not contain an exhaustive reply to the question—in what relation the right... [ Continue Reading ]
(Ezekiel 18:27.) EXEGETICAL NOTES.— Ezekiel 18:29. “Are not your ways unequal?” “They asserted (Ezekiel 18:25) that the ways of God were not right—properly, not weighed in the balance of righteousness (Job 21:6)—but regulated by caprice. This assertion proceeded from defective consciousness of sin,... [ Continue Reading ]