Ezekiel 11

Ezekiel 11:1

THe spirit lift me up] In vision I thought I was carried up into the ayre from the Priests court to the east gate of the court of the people.

five and twenty men] These are not the same as they that were spoken of, Chap. 8. 16. But these seem to be the Senate of Jerusalem, which was composed of foure and twenty, as their president which was the Governour or president of the Citie. See Revelation 4:4. which Senate did often use to come together at the gate of the Temple, as Jeremiah 26:10.

Ezekiel 11:2

Then said he unto me] Namely, the Lord, who sate upon the throne as chiefe of this vision.

Ezekiel 11:3

It is not neare] Or, It is not for us to build houses neare. There is no likelihood that these Prophets predictions concerning the taking and desolation of Jerusalem should happen so soon; wherefore without taking any more care about it, let us take our ease; the storm is fallen, and hath spent its rage upon the Jewes which are already gone into captivitie with Jehoiakim. See Isaiah 29:11. Ezekiel 12:22. Amos 6:3. 2 Peter 3:4.

caldron] Questionlesse these people did make a scoffe at Jeremiahs prophesie, Chap. 1. 13. by which Jerusalem was likened to a pot, and the Chaldeans to a fire, thereby profanely gathering, that if that be the pot, we shall be the flesh, and shall remain in it, and shall not be driven out till the houre of our death come, (as the flesh is not taken out of the caldron till it be sod) as these Prophets contradicting one another, threaten us.

Ezekiel 11:4

prophesie against them] Namely, in vision, using such gestures, and doing as if thou wert in Jerusalem speaking to this people.

Ezekiel 11:5

And the spirit] Chap. 1. 3. & 2. 2.

Ezekiel 11:6

Ye have multiplyed] This may as well be referred to the murthers and violences committed by the Inhabitants of the Citie, as to the occasion which they had given, through their perfidiousnesse to the King of Babylon, and their obstinacie in not yeelding to him according to Gods command, to cause a very great number of people to dye by famine, and pestilence.

Ezekiel 11:7

Your slain] Chap. 24. 3, 6, 10, 11. Mic. 3. 3.

they are the flesh] They indeed shall remain there; but you chiefe and heads shall be carried out to be slaine, Jeremiah 39:6. & Jeremiah 52:10.

Ezekiel 11:8

Ye have feared the sword] Isaiah 66:4. Jeremiah 42:16. Proverbs 10:24.

Ezekiel 11:9

hands of strangers] That is, of the Chaldeans.

among] Or, upon.

Ezekiel 11:10

the border of Israel] That is, in Riblah, 2 Kings 25:6. which Citie was placed in the land of Hamath, 2 Kings 23:33. & Jeremiah 39:5. on the northern border of Israel, Numbers 34:8. Joshua 13:5. 1 Kings 8:65. See the fulfilling of this prophesie, Jeremiah 52:10.

Ezekiel 11:11

shall not be your caldron] That is to say, ye shall not remain in it.

Ezekiel 11:12

for ye have not] Or, which have not walked.

Ezekiel 11:13

when I prophesied] The Prophet saw this sudden death in Vision, as an execution of the fore-said threatnings, whereupon he feared that God would presently destroy every thing.

fell I down] Chap. 9. 8.

Ezekiel 11:15

thy brethren] They that remained still at Jerusalem, thus reproached them that were gone into captivitie, as though they were cast off and forsaken of God, and they that remained thought themselves alone Gods people, and heires of all the priviledges of his grace.

Ezekiel 11:16

yet will I be to them] That is, they shall have from me really, and in spirituall vertue, that which was figured by the materiall Sanctuary in Jerusalem, namely the presence of my grace and favour, my protection, comfort, and conduct of my Spirit, &c.

a little sanctuary] Heb. Little is after Sanctuary, and it may be read, yet will I be to them a sanctuary for a little (to wit, time) in the countrey where they shall come; namely, for those 70. yeares in Babylon, Jeremiah 25:11. & Jeremiah 29:10.

Ezekiel 11:17

I will even gather you] Under the corporall returne from the captivitie is also understood the spirituall gathering together of the Church under the Messias.

Ezekiel 11:19

I will give them one heart Jeremiah 32:39. Chap. 36. 26.

a new spirit] Psalms 51:12.

stony heart] Zechariah 7:12. Meaning the heart whereinto nothing can enter and regenerate them, giving them a will pliable to my Word and Spirit: Sensible of my motions, and acts of mildnesse or severity, soft and ready to receive my grace.

Ezekiel 11:21

whose heart walketh] Who cannot turn by any good reason, or sound judgement, from their foolish inclination to idolatry.

I will recompense] Chap. 9. 10.

Ezekiel 11:22

the cherubims list up their wings] This was a sign of Gods totall departure out of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 11:23

from the midst of the citie] Namely, from the East gate of the Temple, where he had rested the third time, Chap. 10. 19.

and stood] This is Gods last step at his departure, by which is signified that God would yet make one tryall more, to see if the people would call him back by invocation, and lively repentance: Or, that God being gone out of the Citie, stood there to be present at, and see the ruine of it: See the promise of his returning upon the self-same hill, Zechariah 14:4.

the mountaine] Which is the mount of Olives, 2 Samuel 15:30.

Ezekiel 11:24

by the spirit of God] Not corporally, nor in a dream and naturall imagmation, but in a divine and supernaturall rapture, caused by the Holy Ghost.