Ezekiel 34

Ezekiel 34:2

The spirit - The Spirit of God. These angels in their ministry punctually observed both his impulse and conduct. They - The wheels, inferior agents and second causes. Their spirit - The wheels concurred with the spirit of the living creatures, so that there was an hearty accord between those superior and inferior causes. For - An undiscerned, yet divine, mighty, wise, and ever - living power, spirit, and being, actuated all, and governed all.

Ezekiel 34:3

For - The same wisdom, power, and holiness of God, the same will and counsel of his, that guides and governs the angels, does by them order and dispose all the motions of the creatures in this lower world.

Ezekiel 34:4

Likeness - The appearance or resemblance. As crystal - For splendor, purity, and solidity, all that was above these creatures and wheels was beautiful and very majestic, and ’tis therefore called terrible, because it impressed a veneration upon the mind of the beholders.

Ezekiel 34:5

Under - Below at a great distance, stood these living creatures. Straight - Stretched forth, ready for motion. One - Each of the four had two other wings with which they covered their bodies.

Ezekiel 34:6

The voice - Thunder. Speech - The prophet heard the voice in an articulate manner. An host - A tumultuous voice of men. Stood - Having done their office they present themselves before God, waiting for the commands of their Lord.

Ezekiel 34:8

A man - Christ, God - man, who here appears as king and judge.

Ezekiel 34:9

Amber - In this colour does Christ appear against the rebellious Jews; he that would have visited them clothed with the garments of salvation, now puts on the garments of vengeance, expressed by such metaphors. Brightness - Majesty, justice, and unstained holiness, shine round about him.

Ezekiel 34:10

The bow - A like appearance of Christ in a surrounding brightness, as of the rainbow you have, Revelation 4:3. Mercy, and truth, and both according to covenant are about the throne of Christ. Glory - It was not the full glory of God, but such as the prophet might bear. I fell - With deep humility and reverence.

Ezekiel 34:12

And - He that sat upon the throne, Jesus Christ. Son of man - A phrase which is ninety - five times, at least, used in this prophecy to keep him humble who had such great revelations. Stand - Arise, fear not. And with this command God sent forth a power enabling him to rise and stand.

Ezekiel 34:13

The spirit - The same spirit which actuated the living creatures.

Ezekiel 34:16

Shall know - They that obey shall know by the good I will do them, those that will not, by the evil which I will bring upon them.

Ezekiel 34:17

Words - Accusations, threats, or whatever else a malicious heart can suggest to the tongue. Briars - Which usually run up among thorns, are a very fit emblem of the frowardness and keenness of sinners against God and his prophet. Scorpious - Malicious, revengeful men. They that will do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear the faces of men.

Ezekiel 34:19

Hear - Obey. Open - This was done only in a vision.

Ezekiel 34:20

Roll - Their books were not like ours, but written in parchment and in the length of it, and so one piece fastened to another, ’till the whole would contain what was to be written, and then it was wrapped or rolled about a round piece of wood, fashioned for that purpose.

Ezekiel 34:21

And - The person, who held out his hand. Spread - Unrolled it. Within &c. - On both sides, on that side which was inward when rolled, and on that side also that was outward.

Ezekiel 34:23

Eat - This was done in a vision. Findeth - In the hand which was sent to him.

Ezekiel 34:25

Belly - The mouth is the proper instrument of eating, but when meat is digested, the belly is said to eat. Fill thy bowels - This denotes the fulness of the measure wherewith we should read, meditate, and digest the word of God. Honey - It was sweet to receive things by revelation from God, and so to converse with God. And usually the first part of the ministerial work is pleasant.

Ezekiel 34:26

Speak - What things I shall shew thee, and in what words I shall declare them to thee.

Ezekiel 34:28

Many people - Divers nations, that thou shouldest need divers tongues, to speak to them all in their own language.

Ezekiel 34:29

All - The far greater part, tho’ not every particular person.

Ezekiel 34:30

I have - I have given thee, constancy, and manly carriage. The more impudent wicked people are in their opposition to religion, the more openly and resolutely should God’s people appear in the practice and defence of it.