Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Ezekiel
Book: Ezekiel
Chapter: 33
Overview:
Ezekiel's duty as a watchman.
(1-9) He is to vindicate the
Divine government.
(10-20) The
Desolation of
Judea.
(21-29)
Judgments
On the mockers of the prophets.
(30-33)
1-9 The
Prophet is a watchman to the
House of
Israel. His
business is to warn sinners of their misery and danger. He must
warn the wicked to turn from their way, that they may live. If
souls perish through his neglect of duty, he brings guilt upon
himself. See what those have to answer for, who make excuses for
Sin, flatter sinners, and encourage them to believe they shall
have peace, though they go
On. How much wiser are men in their
temporal than in their spiritual concerns! They set watchmen to
Guard their houses, and sentinels to warn of the enemies'
approach, but where the
Everlasting happiness or misery of the
soul is at stake, they are offended if ministers obey their
Master's command, and give a
Faithful warning; they would rather
perish, listening to smooth things.
10-20 Those who despaired of finding
Mercy with
God, are
answered with a solemn declaration of
God's readiness to show
Mercy. The ruin of the
City and state was determined, but that
did not relate to the final state of persons.
God says to the
righteous, that he shall surely live. But many who have made
profession, have been ruined
By proud confidence in themselves.
Man trusts to his own
Righteousness, and presuming
On his own
sufficiency, he is brought to commit iniquity. If those who have
lived a wicked
Life repent and forsake their wicked ways, they
shall be saved. Many such amazing and blessed changes have been
wrought
By the power of Divine
Grace. When there is a settled
separation between a
Man and
Sin, there shall
No longer be a
separation between him and
God.
21-29 Those are unteachable indeed, who do not learn their
dependence upon
God, when all
Creature-comforts fail. Many claim
an interest in the
Peculiar blessings to true believers, while
their conduct proves them enemies of
God. They
Call this
groundless presumption strong
Faith, when
God's
Testimony
declares them entitled to his threatenings, and nothing else.
30-33 Unworthy and corrupt motives often lead men to the places
where the
Word of God is faithfully preached. Many come to find
somewhat to oppose: far more come of curiosity or mere habit.
Men may have their hearts changed. But whether men hear or
forbear, they will know
By the event that a servant of
God has
been among them. All who will not know the worth of mercies
By
the improvement of them, will justly be made to know their worth
By the want of them.