Before, there was a direct commission, now there is a symbolic action. John has the same vision (Revelation 10:8 ff), but there that is expressed, which is here left to be inferred, namely, that “as soon as he had eaten it his belly was bitter.” The sweetness in the mouth denoted that it was good to... [ Continue Reading ]
TO MANY PEOPLE - To various nations using diverse languages. SURELY - The thought is that expressed by our Saviour Himself (margin reference). Some render it: “but I have sent thee unto these; they can hearken” etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE MADE ... THY FOREHEAD STRONG - I have given thee a strength superior to theirs; a metaphor taken from horned animals.... [ Continue Reading ]
ADAMANT - Or, diamond Jeremiah 17:1, which was employed to cut flint. Ezekiel’s firmness being that of a diamond, he should cut a stroke home to the hardened hearts of a rebellious people. For “though” read “for.”... [ Continue Reading ]
THY PEOPLE - God’s people.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HEARD BEHIND ME - The commission having been given, and the prophet transported to the place of his ministry, the chariot of the vision passes away with the proper tokens Ezekiel 1:24. A voice from above the firmament is now heard proclaiming the divine glory. FROM HIS PLACE - The place where the... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT TOUCHED - literally, touching. The living creatures in their flight raised their wings, so as to touch each other.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFTED ME UP - We are not to suppose that the prophet was miraculously transported from one place to another in the land of his captivity. Compare Matthew 4:1; Acts 8:39. He had been in an ecstatic vision Ezekiel 1:1, and now guided by the Spirit he goes forth among his countrymen. THE HEAT OF MY S... [ Continue Reading ]
TEL-ABIB - , on the river Chebar was the chief seat of the Jewish exiles in Babylonia. The name “Tel-abib” (“mount of ears of corn”) was probably given on account of its fertility. I SAT WHERE THEY SAT - Rather, “And I saw them sitting there and I sat there.” ASTONISHED - Rather, silent, with fixed... [ Continue Reading ]
The Lord guards both Ezekiel and his countrymen from dwelling exclusively on the national character of his mission. In the midst of the general visitations, each individual was to stand as it were alone before Him to render account of his doings, and to be judged according to his works.... [ Continue Reading ]
WATCHMAN - The priests and ministers of the Lord were often so called. Ezekiel is especially distinguished by this title Ezekiel 33:7. The duties of a watchman are twofold, (1) to wait and watch what God will order, (2) to watch over and superintend the people. Isaiah describes and censures unfai... [ Continue Reading ]
This passage anticipates the great moral principle of divine government Ezekiel 18 that each man is individually responsible for his own actions, and will be judged according to these and these alone. Ezekiel 3:20 I LAY A STUMBLINGBLOCK BEFORE HIM - I bring him to trial by placing difficulties and... [ Continue Reading ]
A fresh revelation of the glory of the Lord, to impress upon Ezekiel another characteristic of his mission. Now he is to learn that there is “a time to be silent” as well as “a time to speak,” and that both are appointed by God. This represents forcibly the authoritative character and divine origin... [ Continue Reading ]
“Shut” in the privacy of his own chamber he is to receive a message from Yahweh. This “shutting up,” however, and the “bands” (Ezekiel 3:25, used figuratively) were signs of the manner in which Ezekiel’s countrymen would close their ears, hindering him as far as in them lay from delivering the messa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL MAKE - Rather, Then will I “make.” One action is the consequence of the other. Because the people would silence the prophet, God to punish them will close his mouth (compare Isaiah 6:9; Matthew 13:14).... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HEARETH ... - The judicial blindness of which Ezekiel speaks had already fallen upon the great body of the nation (Ezekiel 14:4. Compare Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:11).... [ Continue Reading ]