Ezekiel · Chapter 22

V. 2. Judge-The question is doubled, to awaken the prophet more fully, and to quicken him to his work.

Verse 2. Wilt thou judge the bloody city] Pronounce the sentence of death against the murderers.

Show her all her abominations.] And a most revolting and dreadful catalogue of these is in consequence exhibited.

Verses 2-5. Wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? — Wilt thou plead for it? Or rather, Wilt thou not judge? see note on Ezekiel 20:4. The expression is doubled to awaken the prophet more fully, and to quicken him to his work. Jerusalem is termed the bloody city, Hebrew, µymdh ry[, the city of bloods, because of the blood of innocent persons, of children sacrificed to Moloch, and of prophets and righteous men shed in her, and that by courts of justice under colour of law. Yea, thou shalt show her — Make her know; all her abominations — That I may be justified in all the desolations which I have brought, and shall still more fully bring upon her. The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it — Openly and impudently; that her time may come — The time of her destruction, as the consequence of her having filled up the measure of her iniquities; and maketh idols against herself — To her own ruin. Thou hast caused thy days to draw near — The days of thy sorrows and sufferings; and art come even to thy years — To the end of thy years of trial, so that thou shalt be borne with no longer. Therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen — Have exposed thee to their contempt and scorn; and a mocking to all countries — A proverb, and a by-word, and cause of astonishment to all people, according to the prediction of Moses, (Deuteronomy 28:37,) and the solemn warning given by the Lord to Solomon, when he appeared to him after the dedication of the temple, 1 Kings 9:7. Those that are near — And are eye-witnesses of thy apostacy and degeneracy, as the Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, and Philistines; and those that be far from thee — The Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, &c., to whom thou shalt be carried captive; shall mock thee, which art infamous — Of a most infamous name; and much vexed — Afflicted, empoverished, and ruined: or rather, who art full of tumult and trouble, as hmwhmh tbr more properly signifies: that is, in which there are continually confusion and disorder, by the commission of acts of violence.

2. Wilt thou judge [see Ezekiel 20:4] the bloody city — What a name for the holy sanctuary, now filled with child sacrifices (Ezekiel 20:26) and murders (Ezekiel 22:6, 9; 9:10; 16:38; Ezekiel 23:37, 45). Yea, thou shalt show — Literally, then cause her to know.

V. 3. Her time-The time of ripeness in her sins, and of execution of judgments on her. To defile-For this does more defile them, and provoke God to wrath against them.

Verse 3. Her time may come] Till now, it was my long-suffering; she has fulfilled her days—completed the time of her probation; has not mended, but is daily worse; therefore her judgment can linger no longer.

Verses 2-5. Wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? — Wilt thou plead for it? Or rather, Wilt thou not judge? see note on Ezekiel 20:4. The expression is doubled to awaken the prophet more fully, and to quicken him to his work. Jerusalem is termed the bloody city, Hebrew, µymdh ry[, the city of bloods, because of the blood of innocent persons, of children sacrificed to Moloch, and of prophets and righteous men shed in her, and that by courts of justice under colour of law. Yea, thou shalt show her — Make her know; all her abominations — That I may be justified in all the desolations which I have brought, and shall still more fully bring upon her. The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it — Openly and impudently; that her time may come — The time of her destruction, as the consequence of her having filled up the measure of her iniquities; and maketh idols against herself — To her own ruin. Thou hast caused thy days to draw near — The days of thy sorrows and sufferings; and art come even to thy years — To the end of thy years of trial, so that thou shalt be borne with no longer. Therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen — Have exposed thee to their contempt and scorn; and a mocking to all countries — A proverb, and a by-word, and cause of astonishment to all people, according to the prediction of Moses, (Deuteronomy 28:37,) and the solemn warning given by the Lord to Solomon, when he appeared to him after the dedication of the temple, 1 Kings 9:7. Those that are near — And are eye-witnesses of thy apostacy and degeneracy, as the Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, and Philistines; and those that be far from thee — The Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, &c., to whom thou shalt be carried captive; shall mock thee, which art infamous — Of a most infamous name; and much vexed — Afflicted, empoverished, and ruined: or rather, who art full of tumult and trouble, as hmwhmh tbr more properly signifies: that is, in which there are continually confusion and disorder, by the commission of acts of violence.

3. The city that takes the sword shall perish by the sword, and that “maketh doll images unto itself” shall find in these supposed deities, not help, but defilement and ruin.

V. 4. Thy days-The days of thy sorrows, and punishment. Art come-Thou art grown up to the eldest years in sin, beyond which thou art not to go.

Verse 4. Thou art become guilty in thy blood] Thou art guilty of blood.

Verses 2-5. Wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? — Wilt thou plead for it? Or rather, Wilt thou not judge? see note on Ezekiel 20:4. The expression is doubled to awaken the prophet more fully, and to quicken him to his work. Jerusalem is termed the bloody city, Hebrew, µymdh ry[, the city of bloods, because of the blood of innocent persons, of children sacrificed to Moloch, and of prophets and righteous men shed in her, and that by courts of justice under colour of law. Yea, thou shalt show her — Make her know; all her abominations — That I may be justified in all the desolations which I have brought, and shall still more fully bring upon her. The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it — Openly and impudently; that her time may come — The time of her destruction, as the consequence of her having filled up the measure of her iniquities; and maketh idols against herself — To her own ruin. Thou hast caused thy days to draw near — The days of thy sorrows and sufferings; and art come even to thy years — To the end of thy years of trial, so that thou shalt be borne with no longer. Therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen — Have exposed thee to their contempt and scorn; and a mocking to all countries — A proverb, and a by-word, and cause of astonishment to all people, according to the prediction of Moses, (Deuteronomy 28:37,) and the solemn warning given by the Lord to Solomon, when he appeared to him after the dedication of the temple, 1 Kings 9:7. Those that are near — And are eye-witnesses of thy apostacy and degeneracy, as the Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, and Philistines; and those that be far from thee — The Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, &c., to whom thou shalt be carried captive; shall mock thee, which art infamous — Of a most infamous name; and much vexed — Afflicted, empoverished, and ruined: or rather, who art full of tumult and trouble, as hmwhmh tbr more properly signifies: that is, in which there are continually confusion and disorder, by the commission of acts of violence.

4. Therefore — This is not God’s will, but hers. She has defiled herself, and by her sins hastened the day and the year of punishment which repentance could have postponed or averted.

V. 5. Much vexed-Afflicted, impoverished, and ruined.

Verse 5. Those that be near] Both distant as well as neighbouring provinces consider thee the most abandoned of characters; and through thee many have been involved in distress and ruin.

Verses 2-5. Wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? — Wilt thou plead for it? Or rather, Wilt thou not judge? see note on Ezekiel 20:4. The expression is doubled to awaken the prophet more fully, and to quicken him to his work. Jerusalem is termed the bloody city, Hebrew, µymdh ry[, the city of bloods, because of the blood of innocent persons, of children sacrificed to Moloch, and of prophets and righteous men shed in her, and that by courts of justice under colour of law. Yea, thou shalt show her — Make her know; all her abominations — That I may be justified in all the desolations which I have brought, and shall still more fully bring upon her. The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it — Openly and impudently; that her time may come — The time of her destruction, as the consequence of her having filled up the measure of her iniquities; and maketh idols against herself — To her own ruin. Thou hast caused thy days to draw near — The days of thy sorrows and sufferings; and art come even to thy years — To the end of thy years of trial, so that thou shalt be borne with no longer. Therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen — Have exposed thee to their contempt and scorn; and a mocking to all countries — A proverb, and a by-word, and cause of astonishment to all people, according to the prediction of Moses, (Deuteronomy 28:37,) and the solemn warning given by the Lord to Solomon, when he appeared to him after the dedication of the temple, 1 Kings 9:7. Those that are near — And are eye-witnesses of thy apostacy and degeneracy, as the Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, and Philistines; and those that be far from thee — The Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, &c., to whom thou shalt be carried captive; shall mock thee, which art infamous — Of a most infamous name; and much vexed — Afflicted, empoverished, and ruined: or rather, who art full of tumult and trouble, as hmwhmh tbr more properly signifies: that is, in which there are continually confusion and disorder, by the commission of acts of violence.

5. Infamous and much vexed — Literally, defiled in name and full of turmoil. The city which was to have been the joy of the whole earth has now become the scorn of the heathen.

V. 6. Every one-Not one to be found of a more merciful temper. To their power-According to their ability.

Verse 6. Behold, the princes] Ye are a vile and murderous people, and your princes have been of the same character. Like people, like prince.

Verses 6-12. Behold, the princes of Israel, &c. — Probably the members of the great sanhedrim, or the king’s counsellors and chief officers, are here intended; every one in thee — Not one to be found of a more merciful temper; to their power — According to their ability; to shed blood — Every one of the princes committed acts of violence, and shed blood, as far as he had it in his power to do it. In thee have they set light by father and mother — Disobedience to, or slighting of parents, is unnatural and brutish in itself, and had, in particular, a curse denounced against it by God’s law, Deuteronomy 27:16; so that it is here placed next to murder in the catalogue of their sins. Thou hast despised my holy things, &c. — Thou hast paid no proper regard to my holy temple, mine altars, sacrifices, feasts, and other things consecrated to my service, nor to the pure worship I appointed; but hast defiled and profaned them all by worshipping of idols together with me, and mingling heathen rites with the forms of worship which I ordered. The sabbaths, which I appointed to be set apart for my honour, thou hast, in great measure, employed in the worship and to the honour of false gods. In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood — Who raise calumnies and depose falsehoods even so far as to take away the lives of innocent persons. In thee they eat upon the mountains — Thy inhabitants sacrifice, and feast upon the sacrifices, in the mountains, in honour of idols or false gods. In the midst of thee they commit lewdness — And that in the most scandalous instances. In thee have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness — Have defiled their fathers’ beds, or taken their mothers-in-law for wives, called by St. Paul, such fornication as is not named among the Gentiles. In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood — Thy judges have taken bribes, not only to pervert justice, but even to take away the lives of the innocent.

6. To their power — Literally, each according to his arm.

V. 7. In thee-In Jerusalem.

Verse 7. In thee have they set light] The children do not reverence their parents. Parental affection and filial respect do not exist among you. The stranger is not only not succoured, but he is oppressed. The widows and fatherless are vexed by wrongs and exactions.

Verses 6-12. Behold, the princes of Israel, &c. — Probably the members of the great sanhedrim, or the king’s counsellors and chief officers, are here intended; every one in thee — Not one to be found of a more merciful temper; to their power — According to their ability; to shed blood — Every one of the princes committed acts of violence, and shed blood, as far as he had it in his power to do it. In thee have they set light by father and mother — Disobedience to, or slighting of parents, is unnatural and brutish in itself, and had, in particular, a curse denounced against it by God’s law, Deuteronomy 27:16; so that it is here placed next to murder in the catalogue of their sins. Thou hast despised my holy things, &c. — Thou hast paid no proper regard to my holy temple, mine altars, sacrifices, feasts, and other things consecrated to my service, nor to the pure worship I appointed; but hast defiled and profaned them all by worshipping of idols together with me, and mingling heathen rites with the forms of worship which I ordered. The sabbaths, which I appointed to be set apart for my honour, thou hast, in great measure, employed in the worship and to the honour of false gods. In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood — Who raise calumnies and depose falsehoods even so far as to take away the lives of innocent persons. In thee they eat upon the mountains — Thy inhabitants sacrifice, and feast upon the sacrifices, in the mountains, in honour of idols or false gods. In the midst of thee they commit lewdness — And that in the most scandalous instances. In thee have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness — Have defiled their fathers’ beds, or taken their mothers-in-law for wives, called by St. Paul, such fornication as is not named among the Gentiles. In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood — Thy judges have taken bribes, not only to pervert justice, but even to take away the lives of the innocent.

7. The princes broke every commandment of the decalogue, and their example was followed by the people. (See Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 28:16, 19.)

V. 8. Thou-O Jerusalem. Mine holy things-All mine institutions, temple, sacrifices, feasts.

Verse 8. Thou hast despised] All my ordinances are not only neglected, but treated with contempt; and my Sabbaths profaned. There is not only no power of godliness among you, but there is no form.

Verses 6-12. Behold, the princes of Israel, &c. — Probably the members of the great sanhedrim, or the king’s counsellors and chief officers, are here intended; every one in thee — Not one to be found of a more merciful temper; to their power — According to their ability; to shed blood — Every one of the princes committed acts of violence, and shed blood, as far as he had it in his power to do it. In thee have they set light by father and mother — Disobedience to, or slighting of parents, is unnatural and brutish in itself, and had, in particular, a curse denounced against it by God’s law, Deuteronomy 27:16; so that it is here placed next to murder in the catalogue of their sins. Thou hast despised my holy things, &c. — Thou hast paid no proper regard to my holy temple, mine altars, sacrifices, feasts, and other things consecrated to my service, nor to the pure worship I appointed; but hast defiled and profaned them all by worshipping of idols together with me, and mingling heathen rites with the forms of worship which I ordered. The sabbaths, which I appointed to be set apart for my honour, thou hast, in great measure, employed in the worship and to the honour of false gods. In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood — Who raise calumnies and depose falsehoods even so far as to take away the lives of innocent persons. In thee they eat upon the mountains — Thy inhabitants sacrifice, and feast upon the sacrifices, in the mountains, in honour of idols or false gods. In the midst of thee they commit lewdness — And that in the most scandalous instances. In thee have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness — Have defiled their fathers’ beds, or taken their mothers-in-law for wives, called by St. Paul, such fornication as is not named among the Gentiles. In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood — Thy judges have taken bribes, not only to pervert justice, but even to take away the lives of the innocent.

Verse 8. Thou hast profaned my sabbaths, the sabbatical days and years. This is repeated in Ezekiel 23:38, to show that the desecration of holy things filled up the measure of Judah’s sin: Ezekiel 20:12.

8. Thou hast — That is, Jerusalem (verse 4). In the heat of his speech the prophet returns to the personal form of address. These sabbath breakers and oppressors and murderers are now the real representatives of Jerusalem.

V. 9. Carry tales-Informers, or persons that for money, give in false witness against the innocent. They eat-Offer sacrifice on the mountains and feast there, in honour of their idols.

Verse 9. In thee are men that carry tales] Witnesses that will swear any thing, even where life is concerned.

They eat upon the mountains] Sacrifice to idols, and celebrate their festivals.

Verses 6-12. Behold, the princes of Israel, &c. — Probably the members of the great sanhedrim, or the king’s counsellors and chief officers, are here intended; every one in thee — Not one to be found of a more merciful temper; to their power — According to their ability; to shed blood — Every one of the princes committed acts of violence, and shed blood, as far as he had it in his power to do it. In thee have they set light by father and mother — Disobedience to, or slighting of parents, is unnatural and brutish in itself, and had, in particular, a curse denounced against it by God’s law, Deuteronomy 27:16; so that it is here placed next to murder in the catalogue of their sins. Thou hast despised my holy things, &c. — Thou hast paid no proper regard to my holy temple, mine altars, sacrifices, feasts, and other things consecrated to my service, nor to the pure worship I appointed; but hast defiled and profaned them all by worshipping of idols together with me, and mingling heathen rites with the forms of worship which I ordered. The sabbaths, which I appointed to be set apart for my honour, thou hast, in great measure, employed in the worship and to the honour of false gods. In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood — Who raise calumnies and depose falsehoods even so far as to take away the lives of innocent persons. In thee they eat upon the mountains — Thy inhabitants sacrifice, and feast upon the sacrifices, in the mountains, in honour of idols or false gods. In the midst of thee they commit lewdness — And that in the most scandalous instances. In thee have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness — Have defiled their fathers’ beds, or taken their mothers-in-law for wives, called by St. Paul, such fornication as is not named among the Gentiles. In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood — Thy judges have taken bribes, not only to pervert justice, but even to take away the lives of the innocent.

9. Men that carry tales — Slanderers and false witnesses (Exodus 23:1; Leviticus 19:16; 1 Kings 21:10; Jeremiah 9:3; 37:13). Eat upon the mountains — See Ezekiel 18:6, 11. Lewdness — See Ezekiel 16:43.

V. 10. Discovered-Defiled their fathers bed.

Verse 10. In thee have they discovered] They are guilty of the most abominable incest and unnatural lust.

In thee have they humbled] In their unholy and unnatural connexions, they have not abstained from those set apart because of their infirmities. The catalogue of crimes that follow is too plain to require comment.

Verses 6-12. Behold, the princes of Israel, &c. — Probably the members of the great sanhedrim, or the king’s counsellors and chief officers, are here intended; every one in thee — Not one to be found of a more merciful temper; to their power — According to their ability; to shed blood — Every one of the princes committed acts of violence, and shed blood, as far as he had it in his power to do it. In thee have they set light by father and mother — Disobedience to, or slighting of parents, is unnatural and brutish in itself, and had, in particular, a curse denounced against it by God’s law, Deuteronomy 27:16; so that it is here placed next to murder in the catalogue of their sins. Thou hast despised my holy things, &c. — Thou hast paid no proper regard to my holy temple, mine altars, sacrifices, feasts, and other things consecrated to my service, nor to the pure worship I appointed; but hast defiled and profaned them all by worshipping of idols together with me, and mingling heathen rites with the forms of worship which I ordered. The sabbaths, which I appointed to be set apart for my honour, thou hast, in great measure, employed in the worship and to the honour of false gods. In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood — Who raise calumnies and depose falsehoods even so far as to take away the lives of innocent persons. In thee they eat upon the mountains — Thy inhabitants sacrifice, and feast upon the sacrifices, in the mountains, in honour of idols or false gods. In the midst of thee they commit lewdness — And that in the most scandalous instances. In thee have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness — Have defiled their fathers’ beds, or taken their mothers-in-law for wives, called by St. Paul, such fornication as is not named among the Gentiles. In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood — Thy judges have taken bribes, not only to pervert justice, but even to take away the lives of the innocent.

10, 11. This people, called to be a witness of Jehovah’s purity to all the earth, was going into the lowest depths of lust. There is no reason to doubt that this is a true picture of the corruption of this period. (See Jeremiah 5:7; Amos 2:6-8; Hosea 7:7, etc.) Yet the fact that the prophet could use the marriage covenant as he did, to figure the relation of Jerusalem to Jehovah, shows how much purer was the sentiment of the Jewish people even in their worst days than that of the nations surrounding them. (See Romans 1:28.) These commonest sins of the heathen were always against the Hebrew law (Leviticus 21:9, 15; 20:10, 12, 17).

Verses 6-12. Behold, the princes of Israel, &c. — Probably the members of the great sanhedrim, or the king’s counsellors and chief officers, are here intended; every one in thee — Not one to be found of a more merciful temper; to their power — According to their ability; to shed blood — Every one of the princes committed acts of violence, and shed blood, as far as he had it in his power to do it. In thee have they set light by father and mother — Disobedience to, or slighting of parents, is unnatural and brutish in itself, and had, in particular, a curse denounced against it by God’s law, Deuteronomy 27:16; so that it is here placed next to murder in the catalogue of their sins. Thou hast despised my holy things, &c. — Thou hast paid no proper regard to my holy temple, mine altars, sacrifices, feasts, and other things consecrated to my service, nor to the pure worship I appointed; but hast defiled and profaned them all by worshipping of idols together with me, and mingling heathen rites with the forms of worship which I ordered. The sabbaths, which I appointed to be set apart for my honour, thou hast, in great measure, employed in the worship and to the honour of false gods. In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood — Who raise calumnies and depose falsehoods even so far as to take away the lives of innocent persons. In thee they eat upon the mountains — Thy inhabitants sacrifice, and feast upon the sacrifices, in the mountains, in honour of idols or false gods. In the midst of thee they commit lewdness — And that in the most scandalous instances. In thee have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness — Have defiled their fathers’ beds, or taken their mothers-in-law for wives, called by St. Paul, such fornication as is not named among the Gentiles. In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood — Thy judges have taken bribes, not only to pervert justice, but even to take away the lives of the innocent.

10, 11. This people, called to be a witness of Jehovah’s purity to all the earth, was going into the lowest depths of lust. There is no reason to doubt that this is a true picture of the corruption of this period. (See Jeremiah 5:7; Amos 2:6-8; Hosea 7:7, etc.) Yet the fact that the prophet could use the marriage covenant as he did, to figure the relation of Jerusalem to Jehovah, shows how much purer was the sentiment of the Jewish people even in their worst days than that of the nations surrounding them. (See Romans 1:28.) These commonest sins of the heathen were always against the Hebrew law (Leviticus 21:9, 15; 20:10, 12, 17).

Verses 6-12. Behold, the princes of Israel, &c. — Probably the members of the great sanhedrim, or the king’s counsellors and chief officers, are here intended; every one in thee — Not one to be found of a more merciful temper; to their power — According to their ability; to shed blood — Every one of the princes committed acts of violence, and shed blood, as far as he had it in his power to do it. In thee have they set light by father and mother — Disobedience to, or slighting of parents, is unnatural and brutish in itself, and had, in particular, a curse denounced against it by God’s law, Deuteronomy 27:16; so that it is here placed next to murder in the catalogue of their sins. Thou hast despised my holy things, &c. — Thou hast paid no proper regard to my holy temple, mine altars, sacrifices, feasts, and other things consecrated to my service, nor to the pure worship I appointed; but hast defiled and profaned them all by worshipping of idols together with me, and mingling heathen rites with the forms of worship which I ordered. The sabbaths, which I appointed to be set apart for my honour, thou hast, in great measure, employed in the worship and to the honour of false gods. In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood — Who raise calumnies and depose falsehoods even so far as to take away the lives of innocent persons. In thee they eat upon the mountains — Thy inhabitants sacrifice, and feast upon the sacrifices, in the mountains, in honour of idols or false gods. In the midst of thee they commit lewdness — And that in the most scandalous instances. In thee have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness — Have defiled their fathers’ beds, or taken their mothers-in-law for wives, called by St. Paul, such fornication as is not named among the Gentiles. In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood — Thy judges have taken bribes, not only to pervert justice, but even to take away the lives of the innocent.

12. Taken gifts — Bribes (Exodus 23:8; Isaiah 1:23; Micah 3:11). Thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors — In ancient Babylon the money lenders received twenty-five per cent a month from their victims. Assyriologists have noticed that some of these money lenders had Hebrew names, so that these words of Ezekiel may have been a severe blow to the “elders” in his congregation — as to many in the modern Church.

V. 13. Smitten mine hand-In testimony of my abhorrence.

Verses 13-16. Therefore I have smitten my hand at thy dishonest gain, &c. — Therefore I have expressed my indignation against thy avarice and unjust practices: I have called for punishment to come upon thee, and have animated and encouraged thy enemies to destroy thee. Can thy heart endure? — Will not thy heart fail thee when thou shalt fall into those calamities which I will certainly bring upon thee? And will consume thy filthiness out of thee — Will purge thee in the furnace of afflictions, and take that method to consume thy dross, and put an end to thy idolatrous practices. And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen — “Instead of being mine inheritance, and under my peculiar care and protection, thou shalt be cast out among the heathen, and there eat the fruit of thine own ways, and receive the just reward of thy wickedness.” The translation of this clause in the margin seems preferable: Thou shalt be profaned, that is, thou shalt no longer enjoy the privileges of a city called by my name, and set apart for my worship, but shalt be laid open as common ground to be profaned by infidels: compare Isaiah 47:6.

13. Smitten mine hand at [or, in] — See note Ezekiel 6:11. Yet perhaps this is not a clapping of the hands, but a striking of the hand upon the evil object.

V. 14. Endure-Withstand the evils that are coming, or bear them when come.

Verses 13-16. Therefore I have smitten my hand at thy dishonest gain, &c. — Therefore I have expressed my indignation against thy avarice and unjust practices: I have called for punishment to come upon thee, and have animated and encouraged thy enemies to destroy thee. Can thy heart endure? — Will not thy heart fail thee when thou shalt fall into those calamities which I will certainly bring upon thee? And will consume thy filthiness out of thee — Will purge thee in the furnace of afflictions, and take that method to consume thy dross, and put an end to thy idolatrous practices. And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen — “Instead of being mine inheritance, and under my peculiar care and protection, thou shalt be cast out among the heathen, and there eat the fruit of thine own ways, and receive the just reward of thy wickedness.” The translation of this clause in the margin seems preferable: Thou shalt be profaned, that is, thou shalt no longer enjoy the privileges of a city called by my name, and set apart for my worship, but shalt be laid open as common ground to be profaned by infidels: compare Isaiah 47:6.

Verses 13-16. Therefore I have smitten my hand at thy dishonest gain, &c. — Therefore I have expressed my indignation against thy avarice and unjust practices: I have called for punishment to come upon thee, and have animated and encouraged thy enemies to destroy thee. Can thy heart endure? — Will not thy heart fail thee when thou shalt fall into those calamities which I will certainly bring upon thee? And will consume thy filthiness out of thee — Will purge thee in the furnace of afflictions, and take that method to consume thy dross, and put an end to thy idolatrous practices. And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen — “Instead of being mine inheritance, and under my peculiar care and protection, thou shalt be cast out among the heathen, and there eat the fruit of thine own ways, and receive the just reward of thy wickedness.” The translation of this clause in the margin seems preferable: Thou shalt be profaned, that is, thou shalt no longer enjoy the privileges of a city called by my name, and set apart for my worship, but shalt be laid open as common ground to be profaned by infidels: compare Isaiah 47:6.

15. This was literally fulfilled. (See also Ezekiel 23:27.) The Jews’ love of idolatry and licentiousness was burnt out of them in the hot furnace of the Babylonian captivity. No nation to-day is so free from the social evil.

V. 16. In thyself-Whereas I was thine inheritance so long as thou wert a holy, obedient people; now be an inheritance to thyself, if thou canst.

Verse 16. Thou shalt know that I am the Lord.] I shall so deal with and punish thee, that thou shalt be obliged to own the vindictive hand of a sin-avenging God.

Verses 13-16. Therefore I have smitten my hand at thy dishonest gain, &c. — Therefore I have expressed my indignation against thy avarice and unjust practices: I have called for punishment to come upon thee, and have animated and encouraged thy enemies to destroy thee. Can thy heart endure? — Will not thy heart fail thee when thou shalt fall into those calamities which I will certainly bring upon thee? And will consume thy filthiness out of thee — Will purge thee in the furnace of afflictions, and take that method to consume thy dross, and put an end to thy idolatrous practices. And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen — “Instead of being mine inheritance, and under my peculiar care and protection, thou shalt be cast out among the heathen, and there eat the fruit of thine own ways, and receive the just reward of thy wickedness.” The translation of this clause in the margin seems preferable: Thou shalt be profaned, that is, thou shalt no longer enjoy the privileges of a city called by my name, and set apart for my worship, but shalt be laid open as common ground to be profaned by infidels: compare Isaiah 47:6.

16. And thou shalt take thine inheritance — Rather, as margin, thou shalt be profaned. The name of the holy people, like the holy name of Jehovah, is profaned by their idolatries and consequent punishment (note 20:9). Jerusalem had sought by all manner of wickedness to win the applause and love of the heathen, but gains only their contempt. ISRAEL IN THE ASSYRIAN FURNACE, 18-22.

In this new prophecy Israel is compared with the ore in a smelting furnace. This ore looks now perfectly worthless. Once it was good silver ore, but now it is only the “dross” of silver. That some silver is expected as the resultant of the fiery test is hinted here and clearly expressed elsewhere (verse 15; 18:27; compare 1 Peter 1:7). Again and again the purpose of this punishment is declared to be, not the nation’s destruction, but its purification. Yet as the furnace is supposed to be set up “in the midst of Jerusalem” (verse 19), it may be that only the Jerusalemites, who are elsewhere considered as hopelessly unrepentant, are thought of in this connection, and not the remnant purified in the Babylonian fires. (See notes Ezekiel 24:1-14; 9:8; 11:16, 21, etc.) For the use of this same figure by other prophets see Malachi 3:2, 3; Isaiah 1:22; Jeremiah 6:30.

V. 18. Dross-Utterly degenerate, and base metal. The furnace-The afflictions I have laid upon them have not bettered them. The dross-While they loved mercy, did justly, walked humbly with their God, they were as silver; now they are but dross.

Verse 18. The house of Israel is to me become dross] They are all like base metal-brass, tin, iron, and lead alloyed together with silver. Ye must be put in the furnace, and subjected to the most intense fire, till your impurities are consumed away. No ordinary means will avail any thing; the most violent must be resorted to.

Verses 18-22. The house of Israel is to me become dross — “Their filthiness may be fitly compared to the mixture of dross and baser metals with the pure silver: and as that is purified by being melted in a furnace or crucible, so Jerusalem, when it is set on fire, shall be the furnace into which I will cast them and their wickedness to be consumed: compare Jeremiah 6:28-30. God’s severe judgments are expressed by the furnace of affliction, (Isaiah 48:10,) and compared to a refiner’s fire, (Malachi 3:2; Isaiah 1:25,) because they are designed to purge men from that dross and corruption which are too often the effect of ease and prosperity.” — Lowth. As they gather silver, so will I gather you — From all parts. I will, by a secret, overruling providence, bring you into Jerusalem, as into a furnace where you may be consumed. And I will blow upon you in the fire of my wrath — I will stir or blow up the fire of my wrath against you. God’s vengeance is often compared to fire, but here it was so in a literal sense, when both city and temple were consumed by fire, 2 Kings 25:9.

Ver. 18. They are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace: they are even the dross of silver. Both the Vatican and the Alexandrian versions of the Septuagint represent the house of Israel as gold and silver mixed with those baser metals in the midst of the furnace; for silver is mentioned at the twentieth verse.

V. 19. Gather you-From all parts. I will, by a secret over-ruling providence, bring you into Jerusalem, as into a furnace, where you may be consumed.

Verse 19. I will gather you] Jerusalem is represented here as the fining pot; all the people are to be gathered together in it, and the Chaldean fire is to melt the whole. And God will increase thy sufferings: as the refiner blows the fire with his bellows, so God will blow upon you with the fire of his wrath, Ezekiel 22:21.

Verses 18-22. The house of Israel is to me become dross — “Their filthiness may be fitly compared to the mixture of dross and baser metals with the pure silver: and as that is purified by being melted in a furnace or crucible, so Jerusalem, when it is set on fire, shall be the furnace into which I will cast them and their wickedness to be consumed: compare Jeremiah 6:28-30. God’s severe judgments are expressed by the furnace of affliction, (Isaiah 48:10,) and compared to a refiner’s fire, (Malachi 3:2; Isaiah 1:25,) because they are designed to purge men from that dross and corruption which are too often the effect of ease and prosperity.” — Lowth. As they gather silver, so will I gather you — From all parts. I will, by a secret, overruling providence, bring you into Jerusalem, as into a furnace where you may be consumed. And I will blow upon you in the fire of my wrath — I will stir or blow up the fire of my wrath against you. God’s vengeance is often compared to fire, but here it was so in a literal sense, when both city and temple were consumed by fire, 2 Kings 25:9.

Verses 18-22. The house of Israel is to me become dross — “Their filthiness may be fitly compared to the mixture of dross and baser metals with the pure silver: and as that is purified by being melted in a furnace or crucible, so Jerusalem, when it is set on fire, shall be the furnace into which I will cast them and their wickedness to be consumed: compare Jeremiah 6:28-30. God’s severe judgments are expressed by the furnace of affliction, (Isaiah 48:10,) and compared to a refiner’s fire, (Malachi 3:2; Isaiah 1:25,) because they are designed to purge men from that dross and corruption which are too often the effect of ease and prosperity.” — Lowth. As they gather silver, so will I gather you — From all parts. I will, by a secret, overruling providence, bring you into Jerusalem, as into a furnace where you may be consumed. And I will blow upon you in the fire of my wrath — I will stir or blow up the fire of my wrath against you. God’s vengeance is often compared to fire, but here it was so in a literal sense, when both city and temple were consumed by fire, 2 Kings 25:9.

Verses 18-22. The house of Israel is to me become dross — “Their filthiness may be fitly compared to the mixture of dross and baser metals with the pure silver: and as that is purified by being melted in a furnace or crucible, so Jerusalem, when it is set on fire, shall be the furnace into which I will cast them and their wickedness to be consumed: compare Jeremiah 6:28-30. God’s severe judgments are expressed by the furnace of affliction, (Isaiah 48:10,) and compared to a refiner’s fire, (Malachi 3:2; Isaiah 1:25,) because they are designed to purge men from that dross and corruption which are too often the effect of ease and prosperity.” — Lowth. As they gather silver, so will I gather you — From all parts. I will, by a secret, overruling providence, bring you into Jerusalem, as into a furnace where you may be consumed. And I will blow upon you in the fire of my wrath — I will stir or blow up the fire of my wrath against you. God’s vengeance is often compared to fire, but here it was so in a literal sense, when both city and temple were consumed by fire, 2 Kings 25:9.

Verses 18-22. The house of Israel is to me become dross — “Their filthiness may be fitly compared to the mixture of dross and baser metals with the pure silver: and as that is purified by being melted in a furnace or crucible, so Jerusalem, when it is set on fire, shall be the furnace into which I will cast them and their wickedness to be consumed: compare Jeremiah 6:28-30. God’s severe judgments are expressed by the furnace of affliction, (Isaiah 48:10,) and compared to a refiner’s fire, (Malachi 3:2; Isaiah 1:25,) because they are designed to purge men from that dross and corruption which are too often the effect of ease and prosperity.” — Lowth. As they gather silver, so will I gather you — From all parts. I will, by a secret, overruling providence, bring you into Jerusalem, as into a furnace where you may be consumed. And I will blow upon you in the fire of my wrath — I will stir or blow up the fire of my wrath against you. God’s vengeance is often compared to fire, but here it was so in a literal sense, when both city and temple were consumed by fire, 2 Kings 25:9.

V. 23. Her-The land of Israel. Not cleansed-Though God’s judgments have been as violent floods; and as hottest fires. Nor rained upon-Yet neither thy filth hath been carried away, nor thy dross melted out of thee. Therefore thou shalt be deprived of the rain, that should cool thy thirsty land.

23. In another communication from Jehovah the whole land is shown to partake in Jerusalem’s guilt.

Verse 24. Thou art the land that is not cleansed] Thou art like a country where there is no rain, either to cleanse the garments, or fertilize the ground.

Verses 24, 25. Thou art the land that is not cleansed nor rained upon, &c. — Though God’s judgments have been as violent floods, and as hottest fires, thou hast not been cleansed from thy wickedness by the punishments I have sent upon thee, nor purified by the instructions and admonitions which I have given thee by my prophets; which, if they had been duly received, would have been instrumental in cleansing thee from all thy filthiness, as the heavy rains wash away the filth that lies upon the earth: see Isaiah 4:4; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 1:22. Or this latter clause, nor rained upon, may be taken literally, and signify that God had withheld rain from them, which was one of the judgments wherewith God punished them in the day of his wrath, Jeremiah 14:4. There is a conspiracy of her prophets — That is, of the false prophets: a contrivance to speak all alike, smooth words, and to utter promises of peace and safety: they are all agreed together to deceive the people, and to plot the ruin of the true prophets, and those that favour them. They have devoured souls — They have brought men to ruin and destruction, by deceiving them with their false predictions; and taken away their lives, by false accusations and evil practices. They have taken the treasure and precious things — As a reward of their lies. By their cunning arts they have obtained riches, power, and honours, and have drained the people of their substance; they have made her — Namely, the land; many widows — By persuading Zedekiah to persist in the war, which filled Jerusalem with dead husbands and forlorn widows.

24. Not cleansed — LXX., not rained upon. The rains, which in the East are especially considered marks of the divine favor, have been withdrawn. There have been no floods to wash away the filth and blood from the soil, nor showers sufficient to moisten the ground and make it fertile. Instead of “not cleansed,” Keil reads, “not shined upon,” which would give the added thought that the land was deprived of both sunshine and rain.

V. 25. A conspiracy-A contrivance, to speak all alike, smooth words, and give out promises of peace and safety. Thereof-Of the land. The treasure-As a reward of their lies. Made her-By persuading Zedekiah to hold out the war, which filled Jerusalem with dead husbands, and forlorn widows.

Verse 25. There is a conspiracy] The false prophets have united together to say and support the same things; and have been the cause of the destruction of souls, and the death of many, so that widows, through their means, are multiplied in thee.

Verses 24, 25. Thou art the land that is not cleansed nor rained upon, &c. — Though God’s judgments have been as violent floods, and as hottest fires, thou hast not been cleansed from thy wickedness by the punishments I have sent upon thee, nor purified by the instructions and admonitions which I have given thee by my prophets; which, if they had been duly received, would have been instrumental in cleansing thee from all thy filthiness, as the heavy rains wash away the filth that lies upon the earth: see Isaiah 4:4; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 1:22. Or this latter clause, nor rained upon, may be taken literally, and signify that God had withheld rain from them, which was one of the judgments wherewith God punished them in the day of his wrath, Jeremiah 14:4. There is a conspiracy of her prophets — That is, of the false prophets: a contrivance to speak all alike, smooth words, and to utter promises of peace and safety: they are all agreed together to deceive the people, and to plot the ruin of the true prophets, and those that favour them. They have devoured souls — They have brought men to ruin and destruction, by deceiving them with their false predictions; and taken away their lives, by false accusations and evil practices. They have taken the treasure and precious things — As a reward of their lies. By their cunning arts they have obtained riches, power, and honours, and have drained the people of their substance; they have made her — Namely, the land; many widows — By persuading Zedekiah to persist in the war, which filled Jerusalem with dead husbands and forlorn widows.

Ver. 25-27. There is a conspiracy of her prophets, even in the city and sanctuary. Alas, when the true faith is lost, when the anointed ones fall under an evil influence, the whole body must be depraved, and sickened with a mortal malady.

25. There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like — More probably, as the LXX., whose princes in the midst thereof are like. (Compare verses 6, 7; 19:1; 21:12.)

V. 26. My holy things-Sacrifices, and oblations. Put no difference-Neither have they in their practice, differenced holy and profane, nor in their teaching acquainted the people with the difference, nor in the exercise of their authority, separated the profane from the holy, either persons, or things. Hid their eyes-Despised, and would not see the holiness of the sabbaths. Profaned-Contemned, dishonoured, disobeyed.

Verse 26. Her priests] Even they whose lips should preserve knowledge, have not instructed the people: they have violated my law, not only in their private conduct, but in their careless and corrupt manner of serving in my temple.

Verse 26. Her priests have violated my law — Which they ought to have observed, and to have taught the people to observe; and have profaned my holy things — The gifts and sacrifices offered in my service; either by offering them in an undue manner, as the sons of Eli did, 1 Samuel 2:15, or without due purification of themselves; or else eating them as common meats, without regard to the rules prescribed in the law. They have put no difference between the holy and profane — They have not shown any regard to the rules of my law, concerning what is holy and unholy, clean and unclean, and that both with respect to persons and things. And they are guilty of this neglect in contradiction to an express charge given them respecting this matter, Leviticus 10:10. By the holy is here meant that which was peculiarly dedicated to God; by the profane, things in common use; by the unclean, those meats which were forbidden to be eaten; by the clean, what it was lawful to eat. And have hid their eyes from my sabbaths — They have taken no care that my sabbaths should be kept, and have not attended themselves upon my public worship on the sabbath days, 2 Chronicles 29:7; and thereby have encouraged my people in the neglect and profanation of it. And I am profaned among them — I am dishonoured by them, and they use my name to false and wicked purposes.

Ver. 25-27. There is a conspiracy of her prophets, even in the city and sanctuary. Alas, when the true faith is lost, when the anointed ones fall under an evil influence, the whole body must be depraved, and sickened with a mortal malady.

26. The priests are as bad as the royal princes. They regarded neither the prescriptions of the ceremonial nor the moral law. (Compare verse 8; 44:23; Leviticus 10:10.) The rites and ordinances of worship which Jehovah commands cannot be ignored or changed without guilt. The entire temple service was an object lesson teaching the people the meaning of “holiness.” Whatever belonged to Jehovah was holy. “Holiness is God’s claim to the proprietorship and use of certain objects.” As Dr. James Agar Beet has shown, from the earliest time the word contained a deep spiritual meaning. A holy people is a people devoted, separated, to God, and to whom God is devoted.

V. 27. Destroy souls-Ruin families; cutting off the fathers, and impoverishing the widow, and fatherless.

Verse 27. Her princes] Are as bad as her priests; they are rapacious, and grievously oppress the people by unjust impositions in order to increase their revenues.

Verses 27, 28. Her princes are like wolves — The chief officers of state stick at no method of injustice and oppression whereby they may increase their substance, though it be by taking away the lives and estates of the innocent: see the margin. And her prophets have daubed them, &c. — Have daubed over the evil practices of the great men, by palliating devices: or, have flattered them in their ways of sin and violence, and encouraged them to proceed therein with promises, which, like ill-tempered mortar, will deceive them, though all seems at present smooth and safe.

Ver. 25-27. There is a conspiracy of her prophets, even in the city and sanctuary. Alas, when the true faith is lost, when the anointed ones fall under an evil influence, the whole body must be depraved, and sickened with a mortal malady.

27. Princes — Rather, captains (Jeremiah 26:10). The subordinate officers are in full sympathy with the iniquitous practices of the court and temple. They are after the spoils at any price. (Compare Jeremiah 6:13.)

V. 28. Daubed them-Flattered them, in their ways of sin. Untempered mortar-With promises that like ill-tempered mortar, will deceive them, though all seems at present smooth and safe.

Verse 28. Her prophets] Even those who profess themselves to be my prophets, have been unfaithful in the discharge of their office; have soothed the people in their sins, and pretended to have oracles of peace and safety when I had not spoken to them.

Verses 27, 28. Her princes are like wolves — The chief officers of state stick at no method of injustice and oppression whereby they may increase their substance, though it be by taking away the lives and estates of the innocent: see the margin. And her prophets have daubed them, &c. — Have daubed over the evil practices of the great men, by palliating devices: or, have flattered them in their ways of sin and violence, and encouraged them to proceed therein with promises, which, like ill-tempered mortar, will deceive them, though all seems at present smooth and safe.

Ver. 28. They have daubed with untempered mortar, as is stated in chap. 13:11.

28. Even the prophets — who were an independent order supposed to be bound by no temple prejudices or political alliances, called of God in every generation to rebuke both king and high priest when they failed in duty — even they had become flatterers, “whitewashing” (Hebrews) the sins of the nobles and crying “peace” to every voice that raised itself against the evils of the day. (See Ezekiel 13:6-10.)

Verse 29. The people] All that have power or authority have abused it; vexed and oppressed the poor, the needy, and the stranger.

Verses 29-31. The people of the land — The common people; have used oppression — Have wronged each other by acts of fraud and violence, and have greatly and cruelly oppressed each other. And have vexed the poor and needy — By these frauds and oppressions, instead of relieving them, which they ought to have done. Yea, they have oppressed the strangers wrongfully — Without any colour of justice or reason. This was contrary to an express prohibition of God’s law, frequently repeated and enforced upon them, from the consideration, that they themselves were strangers in Egypt. And I sought — God speaks after the manner of men; for a man among them — Any one among the princes, prophets, priests, or people; that should make up the hedge — That should repair the breach, and prevent further mischief; and stand in the gap before me — That might interpose between a sinful people and their offended God; deprecate God’s wrath, and entreat for mercy, that the land might not be destroyed; but I found none — All were corrupted, and went on in sin without repentance. This general complaint must be understood with some restriction, such as is commonly understood in unlimited expressions. For we read, Ezekiel 9:4, that there were some that sighed and cried to God (by way of deprecating his wrath) for the abominations done in Jerusalem; and they undoubtedly exhorted the people to repentance and reformation. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them — Have given it full scope, that it might come upon them in a full stream; yet, whatever calamity God brings upon a sinful people, it is their own way that is therein recompensed upon their heads, and God punishes them not more, but much less, than their iniquity deserves.

29. The common people naturally follow the example of the princes and captains, priests and prophets.

V. 30. I sought-God speaks after the manner of men. A man-Any one, among princes, prophets, priests, or people, to repair the breach. And stand-Interpose between a sinful people, and their offended God, and intreat for mercy. But-All were corrupted.

Verse 30. I sought for a man] I saw that there was a grievous breach made in the moral state and feeling of the people, and I sought for a man that would stand in the gap; that would faithfully exhort, reprove and counsel, with all long-suffering and doctrine. But none was to be found!

Verses 29-31. The people of the land — The common people; have used oppression — Have wronged each other by acts of fraud and violence, and have greatly and cruelly oppressed each other. And have vexed the poor and needy — By these frauds and oppressions, instead of relieving them, which they ought to have done. Yea, they have oppressed the strangers wrongfully — Without any colour of justice or reason. This was contrary to an express prohibition of God’s law, frequently repeated and enforced upon them, from the consideration, that they themselves were strangers in Egypt. And I sought — God speaks after the manner of men; for a man among them — Any one among the princes, prophets, priests, or people; that should make up the hedge — That should repair the breach, and prevent further mischief; and stand in the gap before me — That might interpose between a sinful people and their offended God; deprecate God’s wrath, and entreat for mercy, that the land might not be destroyed; but I found none — All were corrupted, and went on in sin without repentance. This general complaint must be understood with some restriction, such as is commonly understood in unlimited expressions. For we read, Ezekiel 9:4, that there were some that sighed and cried to God (by way of deprecating his wrath) for the abominations done in Jerusalem; and they undoubtedly exhorted the people to repentance and reformation. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them — Have given it full scope, that it might come upon them in a full stream; yet, whatever calamity God brings upon a sinful people, it is their own way that is therein recompensed upon their heads, and God punishes them not more, but much less, than their iniquity deserves.

Ver. 30. I sought for a man among them that should—stand in the gap. A day’s man, Psalm 106:23, that should stand in the gap as Moses did; but I found none. When Moses prayed, the contrite worshipped at the door of their tents; but in Jerusalem “they misused the messengers of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 36:16, 17.

30. There is universal apostasy. There is not left in the city even one man who can plead for it as Abraham for the Sodomites, or as Moses for the people in the wilderness (Psalm 106:23). If only one such man could be found Jehovah would listen. (See notes Ezekiel 13:5, and compare Jeremiah 5:1; Isaiah 58:12; 59:16.)

Verse 31. Therefore] Because of the profligacies already mentioned; because of the false worship so generally practiced; because of the false prophets tolerated; because of the unholy and profane priesthood; because of the oppressive princes; because of the unfaithful and deceiving prophets; because of the oppressions of petty officers; and because of the total corruption of manners in all ranks, places, offices, &c.;— Have I poured out mine indignation-consumed them with the fire of my wrath] Considering the above, has there not been sufficient reason why I should abandon such a people, and pour out upon them such a destructive storm of calamities?

EZEKIEL

Verses 29-31. The people of the land — The common people; have used oppression — Have wronged each other by acts of fraud and violence, and have greatly and cruelly oppressed each other. And have vexed the poor and needy — By these frauds and oppressions, instead of relieving them, which they ought to have done. Yea, they have oppressed the strangers wrongfully — Without any colour of justice or reason. This was contrary to an express prohibition of God’s law, frequently repeated and enforced upon them, from the consideration, that they themselves were strangers in Egypt. And I sought — God speaks after the manner of men; for a man among them — Any one among the princes, prophets, priests, or people; that should make up the hedge — That should repair the breach, and prevent further mischief; and stand in the gap before me — That might interpose between a sinful people and their offended God; deprecate God’s wrath, and entreat for mercy, that the land might not be destroyed; but I found none — All were corrupted, and went on in sin without repentance. This general complaint must be understood with some restriction, such as is commonly understood in unlimited expressions. For we read, Ezekiel 9:4, that there were some that sighed and cried to God (by way of deprecating his wrath) for the abominations done in Jerusalem; and they undoubtedly exhorted the people to repentance and reformation. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them — Have given it full scope, that it might come upon them in a full stream; yet, whatever calamity God brings upon a sinful people, it is their own way that is therein recompensed upon their heads, and God punishes them not more, but much less, than their iniquity deserves.