Ezekiel 33

Ezekiel 33:2

VVHen I bring the sword upon a land] Heb. A land hen I bring a sword upon her. That is, warre, with all the sudden invasions, inroads and dangers belonging to it.

watchman] He sheweth that the people ought to have continually Governours and Teachers, which may have a cae over them, and to warn them ever of the dangers which are at hand.

Ezekiel 33:3

whosoever heareth] Heb he that hearing heareth.

his bloud shall be upon his own head] His death must not be imputed to any other, but to himself.

he is taken away in his iniquity] Signifying that the wicked shall not escape punishment, though the watchman be negligent; but if the watchman blow the trumpet, and then he will not obey, he shall desrve double punishment.

Ezekiel 33:7

So thou] Chap. 3. 17. &c.

at my mouth] Which teacheth, that he that receiveth not his charge at the Lords mouth, is a spie, and not a true watchman.

Ezekiel 33:8

When I say unto the wicked] Chap. 3. 18.

will I require at thine hand] The watchman must answer for the bloud of all that perish through his negligence.

Ezekiel 33:10

If our transgressions] The meaning is, It is true that you Prophets have admonished us heretofore, and we having neglected your admonitions, do bear our punishment, and are ruined past all relief; what good doth it do then to speak to us any more of these preservatives against the evill, into which we are already fallen? The Lord answereth, Your ruine is not so extreme, but that you may rise again y true repentance, which cometh alwayes in time, either before or after the punishments, so it come during lif.

we pine away in them] Leviticus 26:39.

Ezekiel 33:11

I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked] 2 Samuel 14:14. Chap. 18. 32.

why will ye die] Chap. 18. 31.

Ezekiel 33:12

The righteousnesse] Chap. 18. 24.

Ezekiel 33:13

that he shall surely live] If he persevere to the end; A condition necessarily annexed to all the promises to the Law.

all his righteousnsse shall not be remembred] Or, not any of all his righteousnesse shall be remembred.

Ezekiel 33:14

that which is lawfull and right] Hereby he condemneth all them of hypocrisie, which pretend to forsake wickednesse, and yet declare not themselves such by their fruits; that is, in obying Gods commandments, and by godly life.

lawfull and right] Heb. judgement and justice.

Ezekiel 33:15

If the wicked restore the pledge] Exodus 22:26. Deuteronomy 24:12. Chap 18. 7.

give again that he hath robbed] Exodus 22:1; Exodus 22:4. Levit. 6. 2, 4. Numbers 5:6. 7.

the statutes] The observation of which statutes have the promises of life annexed to them. Leviticus 18:5.

Ezekiel 33:17

The way of the Lord] Chap. 18. 25.

Ezekiel 33:20

The way of the Lord] Chap. 18. 25.

Ezekiel 33:21

twelfth year of our captivity] Chap. 1. 2. When the Prophet was led away captive with econiah.

The city is smitten] 2 Kings 25. Taken by force, and sacked.

Ezekiel 33:22

No the hand] I was indued with the Spirit of prophesie. Chap. 1. 3. and 8. 1.

had opened my mouth] He had again appointed me to speak to the people, after I had a while held my tongue by his command; or, after I had lost the use of my tongue, and revealed unto me, and inspired me with what I should say, according to the prediction, Chap. 24. 26 27. and hereby is signified, that the Ministers of God cannot speak till God give them courage, and open their mouthes, Chap. 29. 21. Ephesians 6:19.

Ezekiel 33:24

Abraham was one] If out of Abraham alone could come so numerous an issue, as could conquer, and people all this Countrey; how much more may we hope, that are left in great number, that we may be restored to our former estate, which is beaten down by the Chaldeans, and once again repossesse, and be masters of the Countrey? Thus the wicked thinke themselves more worthy to enjoy Gods promises then the Saints of God, to whom they were made; and would binde God to be subject to them, though they would not be bound to him.

Ezekiel 33:25

Ye eat the bloud] Contrary to the Law, Genesis 9:4. Levit 7 26. & 17. 10. & 19. 26. Deuteronomy 12:16. which ye transgresse, and so declare you are not true sons of Abraham.

and lift up your eyes] Chap. 18. 6.

Ezekiel 33:26

Ye stand] Ye men stand upon your sword, and ye women work abomination. Meaning, that every one righteth himself, defends and revengeth himself by violence; and justice and good order and honesty are quite beaten down.

Ezekiel 33:27

to be devoured] Heb. to devour him.

in the caves] In hidden and strong places, into which people did use to flie in time of warre. See Judge 6. 2. 1 Samuel 13:6.

Ezekiel 33:28

most desolate] Heb. desolation and desolation.

the pomp of her strength shall cease] Chap. 7. 24. & 24. 21. & 30. 6, 7.

Ezekiel 33:30

are talking against thee] In profane contempt and derision; or through hypocrisie or curiosity.

Ezekiel 33:31

as the people cometh] Heb. according to the coming of the people. Very frequently, and with a shew of devotion; as it were to an ecclesiasticall Assembly. Chap. 14. 1.

they sit before thee as my people] Or, my people sit before thee.

for with their mouth] Isaiah 29:13.

they shew much love] Heb. they make loves, or jests This declareth that we ought to hear Gods Word with such zeal and affection, that we should in all points obey it, else we abuse the Word to our own condemnation, and make of his Ministers as though they were jesters to serve mens foolish fantasies.

Ezekiel 33:32

a very lovely song] Heb. a song of loves.

Ezekiel 33:33

when this cometh] That is, the accomplishments of my threatnings in the last ruine of Jerusalem, and of the whole Nation.

that a prophet] Chap. 2. 5.