Westminster Annotations, Ezekiel · Chapter 33
CHAP. XXXIII.
Vers. 2. VVHen I bring the sword upon a land] Heb. A land …hen I bring a sword upon her. That is, warre, with all the sudden invasions, inroads and dangers belonging to it.
watchman] He sheweth that the people ought to have continually Governours and Teachers, which may have a ca…e over them, and to warn them ever of the dangers which are at hand.
V. …. whosoever heareth] Heb▪ he that hearing heareth.
his bloud shall be upon his own head] His death must not be imputed to any other, but to himself.
he is taken away in his iniquity] Signifying that the wicked shall not escape punishment, though the watchman be negligent; but if the watchman blow the trumpet, and then he will not obey, he shall des…rve double punishment.
V. 7. So thou] Chap. 3. 17. &c.
at my mouth] Which teacheth, that he that receiveth not his charge at the Lords mouth, is a spie, and not a true watchman.
V. 8. When I say unto the wicked] Chap. 3. 18.
will I require at thine hand] The watchman must answer for the bloud of all that perish through his negligence.
V. 10. If our transgressions] The meaning is, It is true that you Prophets have admonished us heretofore, and we having neglected your admonitions, do bear our punishment, and are ruined past all relief; what good doth it do then to speak to us any more of these preservatives against the evill, into which we are already fallen? The Lord answereth, Your ruine is not so extreme, but that you may rise again …y true repentance, which cometh alwayes in time, either before or after the punishments, so it come during lif….
we pine away in them] Levit. 26. 39.
V. 11. I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked] 2 Sam. 14. 14. Chap. 18. 32.
why will ye die] Chap. 18. 31.
V. 12. The righteousnesse] Chap. 18. 24.
V. 13. that he shall surely live] If he persevere to the end; A condition necessarily annexed to all the promises to the Law.
all his righteousn…sse shall not be remembred] Or, not any of all his righteousnesse shall be remembred.
V. 14. that which is lawfull and right] Hereby he condemneth all them of hypocrisie, which pretend to forsake wickednesse, and yet declare not themselves such by their fruits; that is, in ob…ying Gods commandments, and by godly life.
lawfull and right] Heb. judgement and justice.
V. 15. If the wicked restore the pledge] Exod. 22. 26. Deut. 24. 12. Chap 18. 7.
give again that he hath robbed] Exod. 22. 1, 4. Levit. 6. 2, 4. Num. 5. 6. 7.
the statutes] The observation of which statutes have the promises of life annexed to them. Levit. 18. 5.
V. 17. The way of the Lord] Chap. 18. 25.
V. 20. The way of the Lord] Chap. 18. 25.
V. 21. twelfth year of our captivity] Chap. 1. 2. When the Prophet was led away captive with …econiah.
The city is smitten] 2 Kings 25. Taken by force, and sacked.
V. 22. No… the hand] I was indued with the Spirit of prophesie. Chap. 1. 3. and 8. 1.
had opened my mouth] He had again appointed me to speak to the people, after I had a while held my tongue by his command; or, after I had lost the use of my tongue, and revealed unto me, and inspired me with what I should say, according to the prediction, Chap. 24. 26▪ 27. and hereby is signified, that the Ministers of God cannot speak till God give them courage, and open their mouthes, Chap. 29. 21. Ephes. 6. 19.
V. 24. Abraham was one] If out of Abraham alone could come so numerous an issue, as could conquer, and people all this Countrey; how much more may we hope, that are left in great number, that we may be restored to our former estate, which is beaten down by the Chaldeans, and once again repossesse, and be masters of the Countrey? Thus the wicked thinke themselves more worthy to enjoy Gods promises▪ then the Saints of God, to whom they were made; and would binde God to be subject to them, though they would not be bound to him.
V. 25. Ye eat the bloud] Contrary to the Law, Gen. 9. 4. Levit 7 26. & 17. 10. & 19. 26. Deut. 12. 16. which ye transgresse, and so declare you are not true sons of Abraham.
and lift up your eyes] Chap. 18. 6.
V. 26. Ye stand] Ye men stand upon your sword, and ye women work abomination. Meaning, that every one righteth himself, defends and revengeth himself by violence; and justice and good order and honesty are quite beaten down.
V. 27. to be devoured] Heb. to devour him.
in the caves] In hidden and strong places, into which people did use to flie in time of warre. See Judge… 6. 2. 1 Sam. 13. 6.
V. 28. most desolate] Heb. desolation and desolation.
the pomp of her strength shall cease] Chap. 7. 24. & 24. 21. & 30. 6, 7.
V. 30. are talking against thee] In profane contempt and derision; or through hypocrisie or curiosity.
V. 31. as the people cometh] Heb. according to the coming of the people. Very frequently, and with a shew of devotion; as it were to an ecclesiasticall Assembly. Chap. 14. 1.
they sit before thee as my people] Or, my people sit before thee.
for with their mouth] Isa. 29. 13.
they shew much love] Heb. they make loves, or jests▪ This declareth that we ought to hear Gods Word with such zeal and affection, that we should in all points obey it, else we abuse the Word to our own condemnation, and make of his Ministers as though they were jesters to serve mens foolish fantasies.
V. 32. a very lovely song] Heb. a song of loves.
V. 33. when this cometh] That is, the accomplishments of my threatnings in the last ruine of Jerusalem, and of the whole Nation.
that a prophet] Chap. 2. 5.