Ezekiel 33:1-6

Again the word of the Lord came unto me “It is plain that Ezekiel uttered what is contained in this chapter to Ezekiel 33:20, before Jerusalem was taken by the Babylonians; but how long before is uncertain.” Bishop Newcome. Son of man, speak to the children of thy people To the Jews, to whom he had not spoken since he declared what is contained in chap. 24. The reader will find in chap. 3., from Ezekiel 33:17, the substance of what is repeated in the first ten verses of this chapter. The instruction is the same in both passages; but the subject is here more fully and explicitly illustrated. “When the prophet had confirmed his predictions of evil, both to the Jews and heathen, by exemplifications of the like predictions already fulfilled among the latter, he proceeds to apply home the conclusion arising hence by an expostulation and pathetic address to the hearts and consciences of the Jews. But to what Jews is this addressed? To the Jews who were already in captivity. In order, then, that this address might make the stronger impression on them, and produce its wished-for effect, he immediately subjoins an information, which he here presents, as having been just then received, of the actual capture and destruction of the city of Jerusalem, agreeably to his foregoing prophecies against it: the accomplishment of which prediction against the Jews themselves, joined to his historic narrations before, of the accomplishment of many others against the heathen, both completes his arguments in favour of the credit and veracity of his predictions against Egypt, or other nations, and also proves, by a conspicuous example, the truth of that maxim with which he had concluded his late address to the captive Jews, That God will judge every one after his ways, both Jews and heathen.” Obs. on Books, 2: 196.

When I bring the sword upon a land When an enemy approaches to any land, which never happens without my appointment or permission; if the people of the land take a man of their coast Or, from among them, to which sense the word מקצה, here used, is translated, Genesis 47:2; and set him for their watchman Such watchmen were placed upon the turrets of their city-walls, or upon high mountains near, to give notice of the enemy's approach: see the margin. If when he seeth the sword come upon the land If, when he spies the enemy marching against it, he blow the trumpet, sound the alarm; and warn the people The sound of the trumpet is a warning, yet it is sometimes necessary to add a warning by word of mouth, and tell the people brought together by the trumpet what he sees. Whosoever heareth, &c., and taketh not warning Considers not, minds not what he hears, nor will be made sensible of the danger, so as to provide for resisting or fleeing from the sword; if the sword come and take him away Destroy him; his blood shall be upon his own head His destruction is owing to himself. He heard the sound of the trumpet He heard as well as others who escaped, and he might have delivered himself as they did who took warning. His blood shall be upon him The guilt and blame of his death cannot be charged on any but himself. But he that taketh warning shall save his soul Shall save his life from the danger that threatens it. In like manner, he that takes warning by the prophet's admonition shall preserve himself from the judgments threatened against sinners. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet If he neglect his charge, which is to give the alarm; and the people be not warned But are surprised by the enemy; if the sword take any person from among them Cut any one off unexpectedly; he is taken away in his iniquity Punished and cut off by the Lord for his sins formerly committed, and in consequence of the present fault of not watching, a great fault in every one that is guilty of it in time of war. But his blood will I require at the watchman's hands The guilt of that blood will I charge upon the watchman, and punish him for it, for he sinned in not giving the necessary warning.