CHAPTER XXII _This chapter contains a recital of the sins of Jerusalem_, 1-12; _for which God threatens it with severe judgments_, 13-16, _in order to purify it from the dross_, 17-22. _And as the corruption is general, pervading prophets, priests,_ _princes, and people; so, it is declared, sha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:2. _WILT THOU JUDGE THE BLOODY CITY_] Pronounce the sentence of death against the murderers. _SHOW HER ALL HER ABOMINATIONS._] And a most revolting and dreadful catalogue of these is in consequence exhibited.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:3. _HER TIME MAY COME_] Till now, it was my long-suffering; she has fulfilled her days - completed the time of her probation; has not mended, but is daily worse; therefore her judgment can linger no longer.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:4. _THOU ART BECOME GUILTY IN THY BLOOD_] Thou art guilty of blood.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:5. THOSE THAT BE _NEAR_] Both _distant_ as well as _neighbouring_ provinces consider thee the most abandoned of characters; and through thee many have been involved in distress and ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:6. _BEHOLD, THE PRINCES_] Ye are a vile and murderous people, and your princes have been of the same character. _Like_ _people, like prince_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:7. _IN THEE HAVE THEY SET LIGHT_] The children do not reverence their parents. Parental affection and filial respect do not exist among you. The _stranger_ is not only not succoured, but he is _oppressed_. The _widows_ and _fatherless_ are _vexed_ by wrongs and exactions.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:8. _THOU HAST DESPISED_] All my ordinances are not only neglected, but treated with contempt; and my Sabbaths profaned. There is not only no _power_ of godliness among you, but there is no _form_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:9. _IN THEE ARE MEN THAT CARRY TALES_] Witnesses that will swear any thing, even where life is concerned. _THEY EAT UPON THE MOUNTAINS_] Sacrifice to _idols_, and celebrate their _festivals_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:10. _IN THEE HAVE THEY DISCOVERED_] They are guilty of the most abominable _incest_ and unnatural lust. _IN THEE HAVE THEY HUMBLED_] In their unholy and unnatural connexions, they have not abstained from those set apart because of their infirmities. The catalogue of crimes that fol... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:16. _THOU SHALT KNOW THAT I_ AM _THE LORD._] I shall so deal with and punish thee, that thou shalt be obliged to own the vindictive hand of a sin-avenging God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:18. _THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL IS TO ME BECOME DROSS_] They are all like _base metal-brass, tin, iron_, and _lead_ alloyed together with _silver_. Ye must be put in the furnace, and subjected to the most intense fire, till your impurities are consumed away. No _ordinary_ means will avail... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:19. _I WILL GATHER YOU_] Jerusalem is represented here as the _fining pot_; all the people are to be gathered together in _it_, and the _Chaldean fire_ is to _melt_ the whole. And God will increase thy sufferings: as the refiner _blows the fire_ with his bellows, so God will _blow u... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:24. _THOU_ ART _THE LAND THAT IS NOT CLEANSED_] Thou art like a country where there is no _rain_, either _to cleanse_ the _garments_, or _fertilize_ the _ground_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:25. THERE IS _A CONSPIRACY_] The false prophets have united together to say and support the same things; and have been the cause of the destruction of souls, and the death of many, so that _widows_, through their means, are multiplied in thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:26. _HER PRIESTS_] Even they whose lips should preserve knowledge, have not instructed the people: they _have violated my_ _law_, not only in their private conduct, but in their careless and corrupt manner of serving in my temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:27. _HER PRINCES_] Are as bad as her _priests_; they are rapacious, and grievously oppress the people by unjust impositions in order to increase their revenues.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:28. _HER PROPHETS_] Even those who profess themselves to be my prophets, have been unfaithful in the discharge of their office; have _soothed_ the people in their sins, and pretended to have oracles of _peace_ and _safety_ when I had not spoken to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:29. _THE PEOPLE_] All that have power or authority have abused it; _vexed_ and _oppressed_ the _poor_, the _needy_, and the _stranger_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:30. _I SOUGHT FOR A MAN_] I saw that there was a grievous breach made in the _moral state_ and _feeling_ of the people, and I sought for a man that would stand in the gap; that would faithfully exhort, reprove and counsel, with all long-suffering and doctrine. But none was to be fou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 22:31. _THEREFORE_] Because of the _profligacies_ already mentioned; because of the _false worship_ so generally practiced; because of the _false prophets_ tolerated; because of the unholy and profane _priesthood_; because of the oppressive _princes_; because of the _unfaithful_ and de... [ Continue Reading ]