Ezekiel 24

Ezekiel 24:1

THe ninth] of the captivitie of Jehoiakim, Ezekiel 1:2.

Ezekiel 24:3

Set on a Pot] See such a similitude, Jeremiah 1:13. Ezekiel 11:3. The Pot is Jerusalem, the flesh and the fat pieces, are the chiefe, richest, and the noblest that are in her; the fire are Gods judgements, by which hee would have humbled and mollified his peoples hearts, to bring them to repentance, but that having taken no effect, by reason of their obstinate rebellion, hee would convert those judgements into a totall consumption.

Ezekiel 24:5

Burne also] the Italian, Lay the bones in the bottome] it seemes that the bones that were put into the bottome of the pot, v. 4. 10. and not as others have understood it, without the pot to kindle the fire. And by the bones are meant the great ones and governours which beare up the body of the State.

Ezekiel 24:6

Wherefore thus] To make the accomplishment answerable to the figure, to the p〈…〉] namely, to Jerusalem, that hath not been cleansed by my punishments, see Jer. 4. 11. and 6. 29. Ezekiel 22:24 bring it out] Let all the people without any difference be driven out of it, and carryed away, let none be pardoned: for in warres often times they cast lots, to slay some, and save some.

Ezekiel 24:7

Her blood] Shee is full of misdeeds, especially of murthers and oppressions, She set it] she committed them boldly, and did not care if they were knowne to all men, contrary to that which God had commanded; namely, that the very blood of beasts should be covered over with dust, Leviticus 17:13. Deut. 12. 16. 24.

Ezekiel 24:8

Set her blood] I will punish her openly, and the signes and monuments thereof shall remaine for ever.

Ezekiel 24:9

I will make thee] that is to say, What I have commanded thee to doe for a signe, doe thou also in effect, making ready the Caldeans great fire, Jeremiah 1:13.

Ezekiel 24:10

Spice it well] the Italian, Bring her to be like a composition of sweet smells] causing the whole Nation to be destroyed, leaving not so much as any forme or strength of state.

Ezekiel 24:11

Set it empty] To signifie that Jerusalem, after the inhabitants were gone out of it, should be burned by the Chaldeans, as it were to cleanse it perfectly from all its ordures The brasse] As who should say, her rust.

Ezekiel 24:12

She hath] in stead of the onely meanes of deliverance which was repentance and conversion, shee hath with a great deale of care sought out other worldly and unprofitable meanes.

Ezekiel 24:13

In thy filthinesse] that is to say, Wicked obstinacie hath been the onely cause that thou hast not been cleansed: for I have sought to doe it with all carefulnesse, by admonitions, exhortations and punishments.

Ezekiel 24:14

The Iudge] namely, the Chaldeans, see Ezekiel 23:45.

Ezekiel 24:16

The desire] namely, thy deare wife.

Ezekiel 24:17

Binde the tire] Shew no signe at all of mourning, such as those were of going bare-headed, Lev. 10. 6. & 21. 10. and bare-footed, 2 Samuel 15:30. Isaiah 47:2. of covering ones face, Leviticus 13:45. Micah 3:7. and eating of food, brought in and given by neighbours and friends, Jeremiah 16. 5. 7.

Ezekiel 24:18

A 〈◊〉] namely, by a sudden death, proceeding from some supernaturall and divine cause.

Ezekiel 24:21

I will prophane] I will suffer it to be spoyled by prophane nations at their pleasure, as a place that was not holy, the excellencie] namely, the Temple, the Arke, and other signes of my presence, wherein consisteth the glory and the strength of your subsistence and defence: the desire] namely, your wives, soule pitieth] Heb. what your soule spareth, namely, that which you are most jealous and tender of, ye have lef] in Judea: or the Prophet spake to these which had been carried away prisoners with Jehoiaki.

Ezekiel 24:22

Yee shall doe] You shall be forced to digest all these sorrowes, not daring so much as seeme to be grieved thereat, for feare of angring your enemies; or because that in such a great desolation every one 〈…〉ll thinke upon himselfe, without taking any care for others: Or, because that there will an expresse curse of God be perceived in it: Or, because there will be more cause of weeping for those that are alive, and languish in sorrow, then for the dead, see Job 27:15. Psa. 7. 8. 64. Jeremiah 16:5. Amos 6:10.

Ezekiel 24:23

Pine away] Yee shall be busied in weeping for your owne sinnes and miseries.

Ezekiel 24:24

A signe] The Prophet, as he was speaking these things, became dumbe in an instant; but when these things were fulfilled, he recovered his speech, to assure the Jewes that all proceeded from God, v. 27. see Ezech. 3. 26. 27 and 33. 22. Others doe take this word of becomming dumbe, v. 27. for holding his peace, as if hee said, Thou thou hast spoken enough to this people for to warne them, let them alone, untill that by the comming to passe of these things, thou mayest convince and waken them againe.

Ezekiel 24:25

In the day] When I shall have fulfilled these Prophecies by the taking and ruine of Jerusalem I will cause tidings thereof to be brought unto thee, and then shalt thou put the people in minde of these things, for their instruction and correction, desire] the Italian, 〈◊〉 i〈…〉t of their soules] that which they desire and hope for, namely, to see and enjoy their children againe.