Ezekiel 11

Ezekiel 11:1

LIft me up] In vision I thought I was carried up in the aire from the Priestscourt to the East-gate of the court of the people Five and twenty] These are not the same as those which were spoken of, Ezekiel 8:16. but these seeme to be the Senate of Ierusalem, which was composed of foure and twenty, with their President, who was the Governour or Prefect of the City. See upon Revelation 4:4. which Senate did often use to come together at the gate of the Temple. As Ier. 26. 10.

Ezekiel 11:2

Then said he] namely, the Lord who sate upon the Throne as chiefe of this vision.

Ezekiel 11:3

It is not] There is no likelihood that these Prophets predictions concerning the taking and desolation of Jerusalem, should happen so soone. Wherefore, without taking any more care about it, let us take our eases. The storme is fallen, and hath spent its rage upon the Jewes, which are already gone into captivity with Iehoiakim. See Isaiah 29:1. Ezech. 12. 22. Amos 6:3. This City] Questionlesse these people did make a scosse at Ieremiahs prophecie, Ier. 1. 13. By which Ierusalem was likened to a pot, and the Chaldeans to a fire, thereby prophanely gathering, that if that be the pot, we shall be the flesh, and shall remaine in it, and shall not be driven out, as these Prophets contradicting one another, doe threaten us.

Ezekiel 11:4

Prophecie] namely in vision, using such gestures, and doing as if thou wert in Ierusalem, speaking to this people.

Ezekiel 11:6

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

Ezekiel 11:7

They are] They indeed shall remaine there, but your chiefe and heads shall be carried out to be slaine, Ier. 39. 6. and 52. 10.

Ezekiel 11:10

In the border] namely, in Riblah, in the land of Hamath, the Northerne border of Israel, Ier. 39. 6.

Ezekiel 11:11

Shall not be] that is to say, you shall not remaine in it.

Ezekiel 11:13

And when] The Prophet saw this sudden death in vision, as an executioner of the fore-said threatenings: whereupon he feared that God would presently destroy every thing.

Ezekiel 11:15

Thy brethren] namely, the Jewes which remained under Zedekiah in Ierusalem, doe scorne thee and thine, and those of Iudah, who have already been carried away into captivity, as if God had reproved them, and they alone were his people, and heires of all the pledges of his grace.

Ezekiel 11:16

Yet will I be] that is to say, they shall have from me really, and in spirituall vertue, that which was figured by the materiall sanctuary in Ierusalem; namely, the presence of my grace and favour, my protection, comfort, and conduct of my spirit, &c.

Ezekiel 11:17

I will] Under the corporall returne from the captivity, is also understood the spirituall gathering together of the Church under the Mesfias.

Ezekiel 11:19

Of flsh. namely, a will pliable to my word and spirit; sensible of my motions, and acts of mildenesse or severity, and penetrable to my grace.

Ezekiel 11:21

Whose heart] Who cannot turne by any good reason, or sound Judgement, from their foolish inclination to idolatry.

Ezekiel 11:22

The Cherubims] This was a signe of Gods totall departure out of Ierusalem.

Ezekiel 11:23

From the midst] namely, from the East-gate of the Temple, where he had rested the third time, Ezek. 10 19. And stood] This is Gods last stop at his departure, by which is signified, that God would yet make one triall more, to see if the people would call him backe, by invocation, and lively repentance. Or that God being gone out of the City, stood there to be present at, and see the ruine of it. See the promise of his returning upon the selfe same hill, Zach. 14. 4. The mountaine] which is the Mount of Olives.

Ezekiel 11:24

By the spirit] Not corporally, nor in a dreame and naturall imagination, but in a divine and supernaturall rapture, caused by the Holy-Ghost.