Ezekiel · Chapter 2

V. 1. 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.

Verse 1. And he said unto me] In the last verse of the preceding chapter we find that the prophet was so penetrated with awe at the sight of the glory of God in the mystical chariot, that “he fell upon his face;” and, while he was in this posture of adoration, he heard the voice mentioned here. It is evident, therefore, that the present division of these chapters is wrong. Either the first should end with the words, “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord,” Ezekiel 1:28; or the first verse of this chapter should be added to the preceding, and this begin with the second verse.

Verses 1, 2. And he — Who sat upon the throne, the Son of God, whose messenger Ezekiel is here appointed to be to the Jewish captives now in Chaldea; said unto me, Son of man — A title ninety-five times, at least, given to Ezekiel, in this prophecy, in order, as most commentators suppose, to put him in mind of his frailty and mortality, and to keep him humble, amidst so many divine visions and revelations vouchsafed him from God: see Psalm 8:4. Stand upon thy feet — Arise, fear not, and put thyself into a posture of attending to what I shall say to thee. And with this command God sent forth a power, enabling him to arise and stand. And the spirit entered into me — The same spirit which actuated the living creatures and the wheels; when he spake unto me — While he was speaking the words, or, as soon as they were spoken.

Verse 1. Son of man. Here the Messiah, speaking from the throne of glory, gives his servant a humble title, but a title which he himself assumed after his incarnation, being meek and lowly in heart. This title reminded Ezekiel that though he saw the divine glory, communed with his Maker, and stood before angels, yet he was but a frail mortal. Thus St. Paul, after a sight of the same glory in the third heaven, had to labour under the thorn of infirmity. But the appellation was attended with honour. Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak to thee.

EZEKIEL RECEIVES HIS COMMISSION FROM JEHOVAH, 1-8.

The circumstances are the most solemn possible. The man whom Jehovah honors thus with a private interview must be about to receive no ordinary commission. Beyond any other in Scripture this might be called the preacher’s chapter.

1. Son of man — This was a form of address which was very common in Chaldea, especially when the gods were supposed to speak. (Compare Lightfoot.) It vividly calls attention to the contrast between human mortality and weakness and divine eternity and majesty. Yet let it be noticed that when Jehovah — in the likeness of a man upon a throne (Ezekiel 1:26) — wants a messenger to speak to mankind he searches for one who is pre-eminently human. The whole prophecy shows how powerfully Jehovah can use a man to display his glory when he speaks and acts not according to his own will, but Jehovah’s. I will speak unto thee — “The Hebrew here indicates confidential conversation with the prophets although he may only take part as a listener.” — Orelli. Stand upon thy feet — The man of flint (Ezekiel 3:9) must rise up and receive his commission standing (Ezekiel 1:28). He must at once be taught obedience and courage, and stand ready to run at the conclusion of the message.

V. 2. The spirit-The same spirit which actuated the living creatures.

Verse 2. And the spirit entered into me] This spirit was different to that mentioned above, by which the wheels, &c., were moved. The spirit of prophecy is here intended; whose office was not merely to enable him to foresee and foretell future events, but to purify and refine his heart, and qualify him to be a successful preacher of the word of life. He who is sent by the God of all grace to convert sinners must be influenced by the Holy Ghost; otherwise he can neither be saved himself, nor become the instrument of salvation to others.

And set me upon my feet] That he might stand as a servant before his master, to receive his orders.

Verses 1, 2. And he — Who sat upon the throne, the Son of God, whose messenger Ezekiel is here appointed to be to the Jewish captives now in Chaldea; said unto me, Son of man — A title ninety-five times, at least, given to Ezekiel, in this prophecy, in order, as most commentators suppose, to put him in mind of his frailty and mortality, and to keep him humble, amidst so many divine visions and revelations vouchsafed him from God: see Psalm 8:4. Stand upon thy feet — Arise, fear not, and put thyself into a posture of attending to what I shall say to thee. And with this command God sent forth a power, enabling him to arise and stand. And the spirit entered into me — The same spirit which actuated the living creatures and the wheels; when he spake unto me — While he was speaking the words, or, as soon as they were spoken.

Ver. 2. The Spirit entered into me. I was revived by his voice. I was renovated by his presence, and inspired to preach and to prophesy. I stood up upon my feet, ready and willing to do all the work of the Lord.

2. And the spirit — Literally, a spirit. This was probably the spirit that controlled the living creatures (Ezekiel 1:20), though Ezekiel does not yet seem to recognize this. Set me upon my feet — God’s majesty may smite the beholder with weakness, but when one is weakest he finds working within him a “spirit” making him strongest. This spirit only comes to the humble soul. It is only after one has fallen upon his face before God that he becomes able to stand before him and hear him speak. The inner strength comes to the man who does not dare even to lift up his face to heaven.

Verse 3. Son of man] This appellative, so often mentioned in this book, seems to have been given first to this prophet; afterwards to Daniel; and after that to the MAN Christ Jesus. Perhaps it was given to the two former to remind them of their frailty, and that they should not be exalted in their own minds by the extraordinary revelations granted to them; and that they should feel themselves of the same nature with those to whom they were sent; and, from the common principle of humanity, deeply interest themselves in the welfare of their unhappy countrymen. To the latter it might have been appropriated merely to show that though all his actions demonstrated him to be GOD, yet that he was also really MAN; and that in the man Christ Jesus dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. When the acts of Christ are considered, it is more easy to believe his eternal Godhead, than to be convinced that the person we hear speaking, and see working, is also a man like unto ourselves.

I send thee to the children of Israel] To those who were now in captivity, in Chaldea particularly; and to the Jews in general, both far and near.

Verses 3-5. I send thee to the children of Israel — God had for many ages been sending to them his servants the prophets, but to little purpose: they were now sent into captivity for abusing God’s messengers; and yet even there God raises up and sends a prophet among them, to try if their ears were open to receive instruction, now they were holden in the cords of affliction. To a rebellious nation — Hebrew, µywg, nations, the prophet’s commission extending to the dispersed Israelites, as well as the captive Jews, as also to the Jews still in Judea, to whom most of his predictions and reproofs related, and whom his writings would reach, in the order of Divine Providence. They and their fathers have transgressed against me — From age to age they had rebelled against him, and were now as much inclined to do so as ever. They are impudent children, and stiff-hearted — The Hebrew, bl yqzjw µynp yvq, may be more significantly rendered, They are children impudent in their countenance, and hardened in their hearts. “They are so far hardened in their wickedness as to have cast off all shame, and even the very outward show of modesty.” And whether they will hear, &c. — Whether they will regard what is said by thee or not, they shall know that there hath been a prophet, &c. — 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. So that the event, answering to thy predictions, shall render thy authority unquestionable, and them inexcusable for not hearkening to the warnings thou hast given them.

Ver. 3. I send thee to the children of Israel, the scattered wanderers of the twelve tribes, rebellious of old, and now rebellious still. Ministers must know the character of the people they address, and like physicians who consult on the critical case of a patient, they must study and devise the best means of reclaiming and converting their souls. The question should often be put, Can these dry bones live?

3. I send thee — Only a man can speak to men. Only one who is a child of man can sympathize enough with the woes of humanity to act as God’s messenger to them. To a rebellious nation — Literally, nations; LXX., rebellious ones. Here each tribe or division of the people seems to be counted as a nation, for evidently the expression refers to the children of Israel and Judah. Ezekiel did have a message for the heathen, but this is not referred to here. They and their fathers have transgressed — Disobedience is inbred and has been long continued. There must be a taint in the blood. This heredity is not an excuse, but an explanation of the faithlessness and guilty conduct of the present generation. (Compare 16:23.)

Verse 4. Thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord] Let them know that what thou hast to declare is the message of the LORD, that they may receive it with reverence.

Every preacher of God’s word should take heed that it is God’s message he delivers to the people. Let him not suppose, because it is according to his own creed or confession of faith, that therefore it is God’s word. False doctrines and fallacies without end are foisted on the world in this way. Bring the creed first to the Word of God, and scrupulously try whether it be right; and when this is done, leave it where you please; take the Bible, and warn them from God’s word recorded there.

Verses 3-5. I send thee to the children of Israel — God had for many ages been sending to them his servants the prophets, but to little purpose: they were now sent into captivity for abusing God’s messengers; and yet even there God raises up and sends a prophet among them, to try if their ears were open to receive instruction, now they were holden in the cords of affliction. To a rebellious nation — Hebrew, µywg, nations, the prophet’s commission extending to the dispersed Israelites, as well as the captive Jews, as also to the Jews still in Judea, to whom most of his predictions and reproofs related, and whom his writings would reach, in the order of Divine Providence. They and their fathers have transgressed against me — From age to age they had rebelled against him, and were now as much inclined to do so as ever. They are impudent children, and stiff-hearted — The Hebrew, bl yqzjw µynp yvq, may be more significantly rendered, They are children impudent in their countenance, and hardened in their hearts. “They are so far hardened in their wickedness as to have cast off all shame, and even the very outward show of modesty.” And whether they will hear, &c. — Whether they will regard what is said by thee or not, they shall know that there hath been a prophet, &c. — 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. So that the event, answering to thy predictions, shall render thy authority unquestionable, and them inexcusable for not hearkening to the warnings thou hast given them.

4. For they are impudent children — Literally, And the children are stiff-faced and stiff-hearted. “The children of Israel are first described as rebellious heathen (verse 3), then as heartless children.” — Curry. Centuries of disobedience had made them bold and stubborn, their brows like brass and their necks like iron sinews (Isaiah 48:4; Exodus 33:3). When the heart is frozen the face soon shows it. Thus saith the Lord God — Literally, Lord Jehovah. Jehovah — pronounced by the Hebrews yah-we and by the Babylonians ja’ava — was the national covenant-keeping name of the “merciful and gracious One, long-suffering and abundant in loving-kindness and truth,” whose nature is so beautifully described at the beginning of Hebrew history (Exodus xxxiv). It is in this most loving name, which is intertwined with the most glorious and patriotic memories of the nation, that the prophet is commanded to utter his warning and reproof. It has not been proved that Yah-we was worshiped outside the borders of the Israelite kingdom. (Journal of Biblical Literature, 13:101, etc.)

V. 5. 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.

Verse 5. Yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.] By this they shall be assured of two things: 1. That God in his mercy had given them due warning. 2. That themselves were inexcusable, for not taking it.

Verses 3-5. I send thee to the children of Israel — God had for many ages been sending to them his servants the prophets, but to little purpose: they were now sent into captivity for abusing God’s messengers; and yet even there God raises up and sends a prophet among them, to try if their ears were open to receive instruction, now they were holden in the cords of affliction. To a rebellious nation — Hebrew, µywg, nations, the prophet’s commission extending to the dispersed Israelites, as well as the captive Jews, as also to the Jews still in Judea, to whom most of his predictions and reproofs related, and whom his writings would reach, in the order of Divine Providence. They and their fathers have transgressed against me — From age to age they had rebelled against him, and were now as much inclined to do so as ever. They are impudent children, and stiff-hearted — The Hebrew, bl yqzjw µynp yvq, may be more significantly rendered, They are children impudent in their countenance, and hardened in their hearts. “They are so far hardened in their wickedness as to have cast off all shame, and even the very outward show of modesty.” And whether they will hear, &c. — Whether they will regard what is said by thee or not, they shall know that there hath been a prophet, &c. — 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. So that the event, answering to thy predictions, shall render thy authority unquestionable, and them inexcusable for not hearkening to the warnings thou hast given them.

5. Whether they will hear — Heredity may have determined the form of their guilt, but it does not relieve them from responsibility. They are still able to hear and obey — yet these words breathe a sad suspicion that they will still remain persistently impenitent. Yet shall know, etc. — To speak as a herald, not originating the message or arguing about it, or tampering with it, but simply crying, “Thus saith the Lord,” is the best way to convince a sharp-tongued and impudent people that there is a prophet in their midst. Even such hearers will soon begin to acknowledge that there is something in religion, and “if there is a prophet on earth, Ezekiel is one.”

V. 6. 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.

Verse 6. Be not afraid of them] They will maltreat thee for thy message; but let not the apprehension of this induce thee to suppress it. Though they be rebels, fear them not; I will sustain and preserve thee.

Verses 6-8. And thou, be not afraid of them — “The prophets and messengers of God are often exhorted to take courage, and are promised a proportionable assistance in the discharge of their office, without fearing any man’s person, or standing in awe of any man’s greatness.” — Lowth. Neither be afraid of their words — Their accusations, threats, or whatever else a malicious heart can suggest to the tongue. Though briers and thorns be with thee — Though thou art among such as study to vex and torment thee. Briers, usually running up among thorns, are a very fit emblem of the frowardness and keenness of sinners against God and his prophets, and therefore wicked and persecuting men are often denoted by this expression in the prophetical writings. And thou dost dwell among scorpions — Among men that are malicious and revengeful, and as dangerous and hurtful as the worst of serpents. Nor be dismayed at their looks — Wherewith they would brow-beat thee. They that would do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear the faces of men. And thou shalt speak my words unto them — Do not forbear or desist from speaking to them what I have given thee in charge to speak, let them threaten and behave as they will, for thou shalt not receive any hurt from them, whether they pay regard to thee as a prophet or not. But thou, hear what I say unto thee — Obey when thou hearest. Those that would speak from God to their fellow-creatures, must be sure first to hear from God themselves, and then must be obedient to his voice. Be not thou rebellious, &c. — That is, do not refuse to go on this errand, or to deliver the message wherewith I send thee; do not fly off, as Jonah did, for fear of offending thy countrymen. If ministers, whose office it is to reprove sinners, connive at sin, and gratify sinners, either not showing them their wickedness, or not setting before them the fatal consequences of it, for fear of displeasing them, and exposing themselves to their ill will, they hereby make themselves partakers of their guilt, and are rebellious like them. If people will not do their duty in reforming, yet let ministers do theirs in reproving, and this will yield them comfort on reflection, whatever the success may be. Open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee — Receive into thy mind and heart, meditate upon, and digest the things which I reveal to thee. God’s words were to sink into him, that he might faithfully deliver them to others. The knowledge of divine truths is often expressed in Scripture by the metaphors of eating, digesting, and being nourished by bodily food: see Isaiah 55:1, 2; John 6:27.

Ver. 6. Son of man, be not afraid of them. In reading ancient history we are astonished at the courage of certain ambassadors, addressing hostile princes at the head of invading armies. And if they were so bold, (and if otherwise, both their own sovereigns and the enemies they addressed would have despised them) how bold should ministers be who have the omnipotent arm for their defence? Yet we must be prudent, like our divine Master, who said to the woman of Samaria, “go call thy husband.” Harsh language is the last resource, as it was with our Lord. Matthew 23. Thou dost dwell among scorpions, a creeping insect of brown colour, having a sting in its tail, and proper as a metaphor to designate the race that sought Jeremiah’s life, and despised Ezekiel’s ministry.

6. Briers… thorns… scorpions — The work of a true prophet is not easy, and will necessarily arouse the most bitter opposition. To suffer the grief of exile is bad enough (Psalm 137), but extra torments are in reserve for the faithful preacher. Ezekiel must be prepared for “thorns in the flesh” and scorpion stings. (Compare Matthew 10:16-23.) The constant irritation of the brier is as bad for the temper as the sting of the scorpion. Many who could go into the lion’s jaws without shrinking are beaten back from the path of daily duty by the briers in the path. Though they be a rebellious house — Literally, for they be a house of rebelliousness. They always have been and are yet rebellious, and therefore they could not do otherwise than dislike and persecute one who tells them the truth.

Verse 7. Whether they will hear] Whether they receive the message, or persecute thee for it, declare it to them, that they may be without excuse.

Verses 6-8. And thou, be not afraid of them — “The prophets and messengers of God are often exhorted to take courage, and are promised a proportionable assistance in the discharge of their office, without fearing any man’s person, or standing in awe of any man’s greatness.” — Lowth. Neither be afraid of their words — Their accusations, threats, or whatever else a malicious heart can suggest to the tongue. Though briers and thorns be with thee — Though thou art among such as study to vex and torment thee. Briers, usually running up among thorns, are a very fit emblem of the frowardness and keenness of sinners against God and his prophets, and therefore wicked and persecuting men are often denoted by this expression in the prophetical writings. And thou dost dwell among scorpions — Among men that are malicious and revengeful, and as dangerous and hurtful as the worst of serpents. Nor be dismayed at their looks — Wherewith they would brow-beat thee. They that would do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear the faces of men. And thou shalt speak my words unto them — Do not forbear or desist from speaking to them what I have given thee in charge to speak, let them threaten and behave as they will, for thou shalt not receive any hurt from them, whether they pay regard to thee as a prophet or not. But thou, hear what I say unto thee — Obey when thou hearest. Those that would speak from God to their fellow-creatures, must be sure first to hear from God themselves, and then must be obedient to his voice. Be not thou rebellious, &c. — That is, do not refuse to go on this errand, or to deliver the message wherewith I send thee; do not fly off, as Jonah did, for fear of offending thy countrymen. If ministers, whose office it is to reprove sinners, connive at sin, and gratify sinners, either not showing them their wickedness, or not setting before them the fatal consequences of it, for fear of displeasing them, and exposing themselves to their ill will, they hereby make themselves partakers of their guilt, and are rebellious like them. If people will not do their duty in reforming, yet let ministers do theirs in reproving, and this will yield them comfort on reflection, whatever the success may be. Open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee — Receive into thy mind and heart, meditate upon, and digest the things which I reveal to thee. God’s words were to sink into him, that he might faithfully deliver them to others. The knowledge of divine truths is often expressed in Scripture by the metaphors of eating, digesting, and being nourished by bodily food: see Isaiah 55:1, 2; John 6:27.

7. Thou shalt speak my words — In spite of all the irritation naturally aroused by these piercing briers Ezekiel must not add one personal word to the message; nor must he keep back one syllable of it. It will seem to have no good effect; it will arouse such antagonisms that he will seem to be standing in a bed of scorpions. Let him still speak. It is the duty of the preacher to preach, not to convert.

V. 8. Hear-Obey. Open-This was done only in a vision.

Verse 8. Open thy mouth and eat that I give thee.] Take my word as thou wouldst take thy proper food; receive it into thy heart; ponder it there, that it may be the means of strengthening and preserving thy soul, as proper nourishment will strengthen the body, and preserve from death. And the people to whom such messages of God may come should so hear it read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it, that it may become efficient nourishment to their souls.

Verses 6-8. And thou, be not afraid of them — “The prophets and messengers of God are often exhorted to take courage, and are promised a proportionable assistance in the discharge of their office, without fearing any man’s person, or standing in awe of any man’s greatness.” — Lowth. Neither be afraid of their words — Their accusations, threats, or whatever else a malicious heart can suggest to the tongue. Though briers and thorns be with thee — Though thou art among such as study to vex and torment thee. Briers, usually running up among thorns, are a very fit emblem of the frowardness and keenness of sinners against God and his prophets, and therefore wicked and persecuting men are often denoted by this expression in the prophetical writings. And thou dost dwell among scorpions — Among men that are malicious and revengeful, and as dangerous and hurtful as the worst of serpents. Nor be dismayed at their looks — Wherewith they would brow-beat thee. They that would do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear the faces of men. And thou shalt speak my words unto them — Do not forbear or desist from speaking to them what I have given thee in charge to speak, let them threaten and behave as they will, for thou shalt not receive any hurt from them, whether they pay regard to thee as a prophet or not. But thou, hear what I say unto thee — Obey when thou hearest. Those that would speak from God to their fellow-creatures, must be sure first to hear from God themselves, and then must be obedient to his voice. Be not thou rebellious, &c. — That is, do not refuse to go on this errand, or to deliver the message wherewith I send thee; do not fly off, as Jonah did, for fear of offending thy countrymen. If ministers, whose office it is to reprove sinners, connive at sin, and gratify sinners, either not showing them their wickedness, or not setting before them the fatal consequences of it, for fear of displeasing them, and exposing themselves to their ill will, they hereby make themselves partakers of their guilt, and are rebellious like them. If people will not do their duty in reforming, yet let ministers do theirs in reproving, and this will yield them comfort on reflection, whatever the success may be. Open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee — Receive into thy mind and heart, meditate upon, and digest the things which I reveal to thee. God’s words were to sink into him, that he might faithfully deliver them to others. The knowledge of divine truths is often expressed in Scripture by the metaphors of eating, digesting, and being nourished by bodily food: see Isaiah 55:1, 2; John 6:27.

8. Be not thou rebellious — God sees the inward hesitation of the prophet to accept this hard and thankless task to which he was called. From what we know of the prophet (see Introduction, IV) it is plain that his whole nature revolted against it. His extreme sensitiveness, so easily lacerated by a pricking word; his meditative and lonely life as a priest, his peculiar and tender love for his home (Ezekiel 24:15-21), his patriotism and special regard for his suffering comrades in exile — all seemed to unfit him for the stern and thorny work of a reformer. It almost seems as if he put his fingers in his ears, protesting against even listening to these stern criticisms and rebukes of those whom even in their sins he loved so well. But Jehovah cries, Thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee, and reaches him through his conscience. To disobey will be to become like those whose flagrant disobedience he recognizes and laments. Israel is in captivity, and the temple falling into ruins, because it refused its commission and fled from duty. “Be not rebellious like that rebellious house.” (See note Ezekiel 3:14.) Eat that I give thee — This is a symbolism most common in the Orient and well understood everywhere. Orientals still speak of “eating” blows, grief, wounds, etc. (Compare Jeremiah 1:7-9; Revelation 10:9.) The prophet must receive the truth and feel it; it must become a part of his very life before he can speak it. No one can give until he has received. But what a message! IN SYMBOL AND BY DIRECT INSTRUCTION THE PREACHER IS TAUGHT THAT HE MUST NOT SPEAK HIS OWN WORDS, BUT JEHOVAH’S, Ezekiel 2:9-3:11.

V. 9. 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.

Verse 9. A hand was sent] Here the hand signifies not only the instrument of conveyance, but an emblem of the Divine power, which the hand of God always signifies.

A roll of a book] rps tlgm megillath sepher. All ancient books were written so as to be rolled up; hence volumen, a volume, from volvo, I roll.

Verses 9, 10. Behold a hand was sent unto me — I saw a hand stretched out toward me, as from that divine person who appeared to me in the shape of a man. And lo, a roll of a book was therein — Wherein were contained the contents of the following prophecy. And he spread it before me — That I might understand the contents of it. And it was written within and without — The ancient books were rolled on cylinders of wood or ivory, and usually the writing was only on the inside; but this was written on both sides, both that which was innermost when it was rolled up, and on the outside also, which signified that the prophecy contained a long series of events. And there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and wo — It contained predictions and revelations of impending calamities, and divers terrible judgments coming on the Jewish nation, and giving great cause for bitter sorrow and lamentation.

Ver. 9, 10. Lo, a roll of a book—written within and without. Isaiah 34:4. Vellum being scarce was used with care; the manuscripts were neatly rolled, and the finer copies were rolled on a staff. The Egyptians, the Chaldeans, and the Hebrews read from the right to the left. We, on the contrary, like the Greeks, read from the left to the right. The Jew held the staff, or the soft scroll in his left hand; and as he read, coiled it up in his right hand. Of course some inconvenience attended it, when the manuscript was written on both sides. But such indeed was the roll handed to Ezekiel. The heart of the apostate Jews was full of sin, and all their life one continuous revolt. The punishments superinduced by these revolts were lamentations for the country they had lost, mournings for their slaughtered relations, and woes yet to come.

9, 10. The roll which represented the prophecy Jehovah expected him to deliver was full and running over with lamentations, and mourning, and woe, written on both sides — a thing unusual in ancient papyri — and Ezekiel knew its contents, for it was spread out before him. God never deceives his messengers. He never coaxes them into his service by promises of an easy task. (Compare Matthew 10:34-38.)

V. 10. 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.

Verse 10. It was written within and without] Contrary to the state of rolls in general, which are written on the inside only. The Hebrew rolls are generally written in this way. There are several of such Hebrew rolls before me, all written on the inside only, consisting of skins of vellum, or parchment, or basil, a sort of half-tanned sheep or goat skin, sewed together, extending to several yards in length. Other Asiatic books were written in the same way. A Sanscrit roll of sixty feet in length, also before me, is written all on the inside; and a Koran, written in exceedingly small characters, about two inches broad and twelve feet long, and weighing but about half an ounce. But the roll presented to the prophet was written on both sides, because the prophecy was long, and to the same effect; that they might see the mind of God wherever they looked.

There was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and wo.] What an awful assemblage! yhw hghw µynyq kinim, vahegeh, vehi, lamentations, and a groan, and alas! Lamentations on all hands; a groan from the dying; and alas, or Wo is me! from the survivors. It was the letter that killeth, and is the ministration of death. What a mercy to have that which is emphatically called To Euaggelion, The glad tidings, the good news! Christ Jesus is come into the world to save sinners; and he wills that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Here are rejoicings, thanksgivings, and exultation.

EZEKIEL

Verses 9, 10. Behold a hand was sent unto me — I saw a hand stretched out toward me, as from that divine person who appeared to me in the shape of a man. And lo, a roll of a book was therein — Wherein were contained the contents of the following prophecy. And he spread it before me — That I might understand the contents of it. And it was written within and without — The ancient books were rolled on cylinders of wood or ivory, and usually the writing was only on the inside; but this was written on both sides, both that which was innermost when it was rolled up, and on the outside also, which signified that the prophecy contained a long series of events. And there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and wo — It contained predictions and revelations of impending calamities, and divers terrible judgments coming on the Jewish nation, and giving great cause for bitter sorrow and lamentation.

Ver. 9, 10. Lo, a roll of a book—written within and without. Isaiah 34:4. Vellum being scarce was used with care; the manuscripts were neatly rolled, and the finer copies were rolled on a staff. The Egyptians, the Chaldeans, and the Hebrews read from the right to the left. We, on the contrary, like the Greeks, read from the left to the right. The Jew held the staff, or the soft scroll in his left hand; and as he read, coiled it up in his right hand. Of course some inconvenience attended it, when the manuscript was written on both sides. But such indeed was the roll handed to Ezekiel. The heart of the apostate Jews was full of sin, and all their life one continuous revolt. The punishments superinduced by these revolts were lamentations for the country they had lost, mournings for their slaughtered relations, and woes yet to come.

9, 10. The roll which represented the prophecy Jehovah expected him to deliver was full and running over with lamentations, and mourning, and woe, written on both sides — a thing unusual in ancient papyri — and Ezekiel knew its contents, for it was spread out before him. God never deceives his messengers. He never coaxes them into his service by promises of an easy task. (Compare Matthew 10:34-38.)