Ezekiel 12

Ezekiel 12:1-28 . EZEKIEL'S TYPICAL MOVING TO EXILE: PROPHECY OF ZEDEKIAH'S CAPTIVITY AND PRIVATION OF SIGHT: THE JEWS' UNBELIEVING SURMISE AS TO THE DISTANCE OF THE EVENT REPROVED.

1, 2. eyes to see, and see not, . . . ears to hear, and hear not--fulfilling the prophecy of Deuteronomy 29:4 , here quoted by Ezekiel (compare Isaiah 6:9 , Jeremiah 5:21 ). Ezekiel needed often to be reminded of the people's perversity, lest he should be discouraged by the little effect produced by his prophecies. Their "not seeing" is the result of perversity, not incapacity. They are wilfully blind. The persons most interested in this prophecy were those dwelling at Jerusalem; and it is among them that Ezekiel was transported in spirit, and performed in vision, not outwardly, the typical acts. At the same time, the symbolical prophecy was designed to warn the exiles at Chebar against cherishing hopes, as many did in opposition to God's revealed word, of returning to Jerusalem, as if that city was to stand; externally living afar off, their hearts dwelt in that corrupt and doomed capital.

3. stuff for removing--rather, "an exile's outfit," the articles proper to a person going as an exile, a staff and knapsack, with a supply of food and clothing; so "instruments of captivity," Jeremiah 46:19 , Margin, that is, the needful equipments for it. His simple announcements having failed, he is symbolically to give them an ocular demonstration conveyed by a word-painting of actions performed in vision.
consider--( Deuteronomy 32:29 ).

4. by day--in broad daylight, when all can see thee.
at even--not contradicting the words "by day." The baggage was to be sent before by day, and Ezekiel was to follow at nightfall [GROTIUS]; or, the preparations were to be made by day, the actual departure was to be effected at night [HENDERSON].
as they that go forth into captivity--literally, "as the goings forth of the captivity," that is, of the captive band of exiles, namely, amid the silent darkness: typifying Zedekiah's flight by night on the taking of the city ( Jeremiah 39:4 , 52:7 ).

5. Dig--as Zedekiah was to escape like one digging through a wall, furtively to effect an escape ( Ezekiel 12:12 ).
carry out--namely, "thy stuff" ( Ezekiel 12:4 ).
thereby--by the opening in the wall. Zedekiah escaped "by the gate betwixt the two walls" ( Jeremiah 39:4 ).

6. in . . . twilight--rather, "in the dark." So in Genesis 15:17 , "it" refers to "thy stuff."
cover thy face--as one who muffles his face, afraid of being recognized by anyone meeting him. So the Jews and Zedekiah should make their exit stealthily and afraid to look around, so hurried should be their fight [CALVIN].
sign--rather, "a portent," namely, for evil.

9. What doest thou?--They ask not in a docile spirit, but making a jest of his proceedings.

10. burden--that is, weighty oracle.
the prince--The very man Zedekiah, in whom they trust for safety, is to be the chief sufferer. JOSEPHUS [Antiquities, 10.7] reports that Ezekiel sent a copy of this prophecy to Zedekiah. As Jeremiah had sent a letter to the captives at the Chebar, which was the means of calling forth at first the agency of Ezekiel, so it was natural for Ezekiel to send a message to Jerusalem confirming the warnings of Jeremiah. The prince, however, fancying a contradiction between Ezekiel 12:13 ; "he shall not see Babylon," and Jeremiah 24:8 Jeremiah 24:9 , declaring he should be carried to Babylon, believed neither. Seeming discrepancies in Scripture on deeper search prove to be hidden harmonies.

11. sign--portent of evil to come ( Ezekiel 24:27 , Zechariah 3:8 , Margin). Fulfilled ( 2 Kings 25:1-7 , Jeremiah 52:1-11 ).