Ezekiel 14

Ezekiel 14:1

OF the Elders] namely, of the heads of the people which were in Babylon.

Ezekiel 14:3

Set up. that is to say, they are Idolaters in thought and affection, though peradventure they are not so in any outward action, as if their heart were the temple of their idols, and put]they doe seeke out objects, and baites fitting to nourish and kindle that wicked inclination to idolatry, and seeke occasion to fulfill it. See Zephaniah 1:3. Or they themselves, by their sinnes, will be the causers of their owne ruine, Ezech. 18. 30. Should I] being such, is it not a meere hypocrisie and scoffe in them to come to me to aske for help and counsell in their disasters, seeing their hearts are separate from me, and being the only causers of the evils which they suffer? Others translate it, shall I answer them when they seeke to me?

Ezekiel 14:4

According to] His Idols shall not shut up, nor close my mouth, but they shall rather cause me open it to denounce the sentence of punishment against them.

Ezekiel 14:5

That I may] that is to say, mine answers shall be like to many snares to consciences convinced by my word; and therby will I keep him, as it were shut up, in expectation and feare of mine unavoydable judgements.

Ezekiel 14:7

Separateth] Like unto a harlot that forsaketh her husband. See Hos. 4. 14. and 9. 10 My selfe] not according to his desire that asketh the question, nor according to the Prophets mind, but according to my most holy truth and Justice.

Ezekiel 14:8

A signe] namely, for a spectacle of my judgements, of whom every body shall speake.

Ezekiel 14:9

If the Prophet] that is to say, if this Prophet, to whom these idolaters doe come, he any way possessed with the spirit of errour, and answereth them flatteringly to please them; yet their condition shall be never the better: For I in my judgement shall have given way to it, to the end that being seduced, they may perish past recovery. See 1 King. 22. 20. Job 12:16. Jeremiah 4:10. 2 Thessalonians 2:11. Hath spoken] namely, some false Prophet shall have uttered any thing without commission I will stretch] though he doth but what I by my secret providence have suffered him to doe; yet will I punish him, because he sinneth against my Law, which is the rule of humane actions.

Ezekiel 14:13

The Land] the meaning is, when I have resolved to punish a land with some kinde of scourge I will not forbeare to doe it, for any manner of intercession: how much lesse then can I be appeased now that I have decreed a generall punishment of all manner of evils to fall upon Jerusalem for its extreame sinnes? Jer. 7. 16. and 11. 14. and 14. 11.

Ezekiel 14:14

Noah] These three persons are set down for patternes of singular piety, escaped out of extreame desolations Daniel carried into captivity before Ezekiel under Jehoiachim, Daniel 1:1. who already had given manifest proofes of his holinesse and vertue. See Ezekiel 28:3.

Ezekiel 14:19

In bloud] that is to say, with great slaughter.

Ezekiel 14:21

For thus] that is to say, I doe alleadge all these examples of particular scourges to conclude, that I shall much lesse be intreated, when I shall resolve to joyne them all together, for a deluge of evils, which are brought up to their height.

Ezekiel 14:22

Come forth] Within a very short time they shall be brought hither to Babylon in captivity like you Shall be comforted] when ye shall know their grievous sinnes, you will have cause to acknowledge Gods justice, and strengthen your selves against the scandall of this destruction, and give glory to God.