MPV Commentary

Renewal of Ezekiel's Commission, Now that He Is Again to Address His Countrymen, and in a New Tone.

Heretofore his functions had been chiefly threatening; from this point, after the evil had reached its worst with the overthrow of Jerusalem, the consolatory element takes precedence.

2. To the children of your people—whom he had been forbidden to address from Ezekiel 24:26-27 until Jerusalem was overthrown and those who escaped brought news of the completed judgment. Now that this has happened (Ezekiel 33:21), he opens his previously closed lips to the Jews, addressing them in a new tone.

The first part of the chapter, from Ezekiel 33:2-20, appears to have been imparted to Ezekiel on the evening before (Ezekiel 33:22), serving as a preparation for the second part (Ezekiel 33:23-33) that was given after the news arrived. This explains why the first section lacks a specific date, which is reserved for the latter part.

Watchman—Ezekiel's office as a spiritual watchman is exhibited in Ezekiel 3:16-21 and here in Ezekiel 33:1-9, where the duties of an earthly watchman (compare 2 Samuel 18:24-25; 2 Kings 9:17) are detailed first, followed by the application to the spiritual watchman's duty (compare Isaiah 21:6-10; Hosea 9:8; Habakkuk 2:1).

3. The sword—invaders. This illustration is fitting given the invasion of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar.

4. Blood... upon his own head—metaphor from sacrificial victims, on whose heads they used to lay their hands, praying that their guilt would be transferred to the victims.

6. His iniquity—his negligence in not maintaining constant watchfulness, as those in warfare should do. The significance of this image is revealed beneath it.

7. I have set thee a watchman—application of the image. Ezekiel's appointment as a spiritual watchman is far more solemn, being derived from God rather than the people.

8. Thou shalt surely die—by a violent death, an earnest of eternal death; the condition being assumed, "if thou dost not repent."

9. Blood had already been shed (Ezekiel 33:21), but Ezekiel remained clear in his conscience.

10. Be upon us—that is, their guilt remain on us.

Pine away in them—if we suffer the penalty threatened for them in Ezekiel 24:23, according to the law (Leviticus 26:39).

How should we... live?—as You promise in Ezekiel 33:5 (compare Ezekiel 37:11; Isaiah 49:14).

11. To address the Jews' cry of despair in Ezekiel 33:10, Ezekiel here offers them hope by assuring them that God takes no pleasure in their death but rather desires they repent and live (2 Peter 3:9). A yearning tenderness is evident here, despite all their past sins; yet it remains unyielding in its demands for the honor of God's authority. God's righteousness is vindicated as in Ezekiel 3:18-21 and Ezekiel 18:1-32 by stating that each person should be treated with the closest adaptation of God's justice to his particular case.

12. Not fall... in the day he turns—(2 Chronicles 7:14; see Ezekiel 3:20; 18:24).

15. Give again what they had robbed—(Luke 19:8).

Statutes of life—in obeying which, life is promised (Leviticus 18:5). If the law has failed to give life to humanity, it was not due to a fault in the law but rather human sinful inability to keep it (Romans 7:10, 12; Galatians 3:21). Through Christ's righteous obedience to it, the law becomes life-giving (2 Corinthians 3:6).

17. The way of the Lord—The Lord's manner of dealing in His moral government.

21. Twelfth year... tenth month—a year and a half after the capture of the city (Jeremiah 39:2; 52:5-6), in the eleventh year and fourth month. The one who escaped may have been delayed on his journey due to fear of entering enemy territory or, alternatively, the singular is used for the plural in a collective sense, "the escaped remnant." This phrase is similar to others, such as "the escaped of Moab" (Isaiah 15:9) and "He that escapeth of them" (Amos 9:1).

22. In the evening—(see on Ezekiel 33:2). Thus, the capture of Jerusalem was known to Ezekiel by revelation before the messenger arrived.

My mouth... no more dumb—that is, to my countrymen; as foretold in Ezekiel 24:27, He spoke (Ezekiel 33:2-20) in the evening before the news came.

24. Those who inhabit... wastes of Israel—highlighting the blindness of those Jews under Gedaliah who, despite dwelling amidst regions laid waste by the foe, still cherished hopes of deliverance without repentance.

25. Not only the remnant in Judea but also those at Chebar, though less flagrantly, betrayed the same unbelieving spirit.

Talking against thee—Although going to the prophet to hear the word of the Lord, they criticized his peculiarities and enigmatic style (Ezekiel 20:49) as an excuse for their impenitence. Their talking was not directly "against" Ezekiel but rather a manifestation of their true attitude towards God's word.

By the walls—in public gatherings. In the East, groups assemble under the walls of their houses in winter for conversation.

In the doors—privately.

What is the word—their motive was curiosity, seeking entertainment and gratification of the ear (2 Timothy 4:3); not reformation of the heart. Compare Johanan's consultation with Jeremiah to hear the word of the Lord without desiring to do it (Jeremiah 42:1-43:13).

31. As the people cometh—that is, in crowds, as disciples flock to their teacher.

Sit before thee—on lower seats at your feet, according to Jewish custom (Deuteronomy 33:3; 2 Kings 4:38; Luke 10:39; Acts 22:3).

As my people—though they are not.

Hear... but do not act upon it—(Matthew 13:20-21; James 1:23, 24).

They show much love—literally, "make love," that is, act the part of lovers. Profess love to the Lord (Matthew 7:21). Gesenius translates according to Arabic idiom, "They do the delights of God," that is, all that is agreeable to God.

Heart goes after... covetousness—the grand rival to the love of God; therefore called "idolatry" and associated with impure carnal love, as both transfer the heart's affection from the Creator to the creature (Matthew 13:22; Eph