Ezekiel 11

1 et elevavit me spiritus et introduxit me ad portam domus Domini orientalem quae respicit solis ortum et ecce in introitu portae viginti quinque viri et vidi in medio eorum Hiezoniam filium Azur et Pheltiam filium Banaiae principes populi

2 dixitque ad me fili hominis hii viri qui cogitant iniquitatem et tractant consilium pessimum in urbe ista

3 dicentes nonne dudum aedificatae sunt domus haec est lebes nos autem carnes

4 idcirco vaticinare de eis vaticinare fili hominis

5 et inruit in me spiritus Domini et dixit ad me loquere haec dicit Dominus sic locuti estis domus Israhel et cogitationes cordis vestri ego novi

6 plurimos occidistis in urbe hac et implestis vias eius interfectis

7 propterea haec dicit Dominus Deus interfecti vestri quos posuistis in medio eius hii sunt carnes et haec est lebes et educam vos de medio eius

8 gladium metuistis et gladium inducam super vos ait Dominus Deus

9 et eiciam vos de medio eius daboque vos in manu hostium et faciam in vobis iudicia

10 gladio cadetis in finibus Israhel iudicabo vos et scietis quia ego Dominus

11 haec non erit vobis in lebetem et vos non eritis in medio eius in carnes in finibus Israhel iudicabo vos

12 et scietis quia ego Dominus qui in praeceptis meis non ambulastis et iudicia mea non fecistis sed iuxta iudicia gentium quae in circuitu vestro sunt estis operati

13 et factum est cum prophetarem Pheltias filius Banaiae mortuus est et cecidi in faciem meam clamans voce magna et dixi heu heu heu Domine Deus consummationem tu facis reliquiarum Israhel

14 et factum est verbum Domini ad me dicens

15 fili hominis fratres tui fratres tui viri propinqui tui et omnis domus Israhel universi quibus dixerunt habitatores Hierusalem longe recedite a Domino nobis data est terra in possessionem

16 propterea haec dicit Dominus Deus quia longe feci eos in gentibus et quia dispersi eos in terris ero eis in sanctificationem modicam in terris ad quas venerunt

17 propterea loquere haec dicit Dominus Deus congregabo vos de populis et adunabo de terris in quibus dispersi estis daboque vobis humum Israhel

18 et ingredientur illuc et auferent omnes offensiones cunctasque abominationes eius de illa

19 et dabo eis cor unum et spiritum novum tribuam in visceribus eorum et auferam cor lapideum de carne eorum et dabo eis cor carneum

20 ut in praeceptis meis ambulent et iudicia mea custodiant faciantque ea et sint mihi in populum et ego sim eis in Deum

21 quorum cor post offendicula et abominationes suas ambulat horum viam in capite suo ponam dicit Dominus Deus

22 et elevaverunt cherubin alas suas et rotae cum eis et gloria Dei Israhel erat super ea

23 et ascendit gloria Domini de medio civitatis stetitque super montem qui est ad orientem urbis

24 et spiritus levavit me adduxitque in Chaldeam ad transmigrationem in visione in spiritu Dei et sublata est a me visio quam videram

25 et locutus sum ad transmigrationem omnia verba Domini quae ostenderat mihi

Ezekiel 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

Divine judgments against the wicked at Jerusalem. (1-13) Divine favour towards those in captivity. (14-21) The Divine presence forsakes the city. (22-25)

Verses 1-13 Where Satan cannot persuade men to look upon the judgment to come as uncertain, he gains his point by persuading them to look upon it as at a distance. These wretched rulers dare to say, We are as safe in this city as flesh in a boiling pot; the walls of the city shall be to us as walls of brass, we shall receive no more damage from the besiegers than the caldron does from the fire. When sinners flatter themselves to their own ruin, it is time to tell them they shall have no peace if they go on. None shall remain in possession of the city but those who are buried in it. Those are least safe who are most secure. God is often pleased to single out some sinners for warning to others. Whether Pelatiah died at that time in Jerusalem, or when the fulfilment of the prophecy drew near, is uncertain. Like Ezekiel, we ought to be much affected with the sudden death of others, and we should still plead with the Lord to have mercy on those who remain.

Verses 14-21 The pious captives in Babylon were insulted by the Jews who continued in Jerusalem; but God made gracious promises to them. It is promised, that God will give them one heart; a heart firmly fixed for God, and not wavering. All who are made holy have a new spirit, a new temper and dispositions; they act from new principles, walk by new rules, and aim at new ends. A new name, or a new face, will not serve without a new spirit. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. The carnal heart, like a stone, cannot be made to feel. Men live among the dead and dying, and are neither concerned nor humbled. He will make their hearts tender and fit to receive impressions: this is God's work, it is his gift by promise; and a wonderful and happy change is wrought by it, from death to life. Their practices shall be agreeable to those principles. These two must and will go together. When the sinner feels his need of these blessings, let him present the promises as prayers in the name of Christ, they will be performed.

Verses 22-25 Here is the departure of God's presence from the city and temple. It was from the Mount of Olives that the vision went up, typifying the ascension of Christ to heaven from that very mountain. Though the Lord will not forsake his people, yet he may be driven away from any part of his visible church by their sins, and woe will be upon them when He withdraws his presence, glory, and protection.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 11

This chapter contains an account of the sins of the princes of Judah; a prophecy of their destruction; some comfortable, promises respecting those of the captivity; and the chapter is closed with the finishing of the vision of the Lord's removing from Jerusalem; and the whole being ended, the prophet related it to the men of the captivity. In Eze 11:1; the prophet, is shown five and twenty men, among whom were two he knew, and are mentioned by name, and were princes of the people; and he is told that these men devised mischief, and gave bad advice to the people, Eze 11:2,3; wherefore he is bid to prophesy against them, Eze 11:4; which he accordingly did, the Spirit of the Lord falling upon him, Eze 11:5; declaring that their secret evils were known, as well as their public ones; and that, seeing they had multiplied their slain, and had feared the sword, the sword should come upon them; some should fall by it, and others should be carried captive; the consequence of which would be, that God would be known, and his justice acknowledged, it being what their sins deserved, Eze 11:6-12; upon this prophecy being delivered out, one of the princes before named died immediately; which filled the prophet with great concern, and put him upon expostulating with God, Eze 11:13; wherefore, for his comfort, he is told, that though the inhabitants of Jerusalem had insulted their brethren that were carried captive, and looked upon the land of Israel as their own possession, that God would be a little sanctuary to them; that he would gather them out of all lands, and give them the land of Israel; that they should come thither, and remove all idolatry from it, and should have regenerating and renewing grace given them, to walk in the statutes and ordinances of the Lord, by which they should appear to be his people, and he to be their God, Eze 11:14-20; but as for such that continued in their abominable idolatries, these should receive a just recompence of reward, Eze 11:21; after which follows an account of the entire removal of the glory of the Lord from the city of Jerusalem, Eze 11:22,23; and the prophet being, in vision, brought again to Chaldea, reports the whole he had seen to them of the captivity, Eze 11:24,25.