Exposition of Ezekiel 6-13, Commentary on Ezechiel · Chapter 9 · Verse 11
VERS. 11.
And behold the man cloathed with linnen which had the Inkeborne by his ſide, reported the matter, ſaying, I have done as thou haſt commanded me.
THeſe words are the fourth and laſt part of the Chapter, in which you have,
1. A reporter.
2. His report.
The reporter is Chriſt, who was ſent to ſeale the mourne…, and is here deſcribed by two adjuncts.
1. He is cloathed with linnen.
2. Hath an Inkhorn by his ſide; of which hath been ſpoken in the 2d verſ.
The report is in theſe words, I have done as then haſt commanded.
Reported the matter.
Hebrew, returned the word, or cauſed the word to returne; that is, gave in an anſwer.
Qu: Why doth onelyonly Chriſt report what he had done, and not the other ſixe who had commiſſion alſo to ſlay thoſe who were unmark'd.
A. 1. To let us underſtand that the Lord is more ſolicitous about the welfare of the godly then the ruine of the wicked; he had a tender care of his mourners and mark'd ones, he was deſirous to hear of their ſafety, and acceptance of his love, and therfore Chriſt haſtens to make report of what was done; they are all ſeal'd, and ſo ſecur'd.
2. To revive the drooping ſpirit of Ezek. who was perplexed and greatly caſt down at the bloody ſlaughter of his people. He was yet in the Temple, and the report was made in his preſence, that ſo he hearing it was wel with all the godly mourning party, might be comforted. Had the other ſix come in and told how many thouſands they had ſlain, this would have added affliction to him that was afflicted.
That Chriſt is a faithfull and forward executioner of Gods will: God bid him goe and ſeal thoſe mourned in Jeruſalem, Obſer. 1.and preſently he did it, comes and informes his father of it, I have done as thou haſt commanded me, both what was commanded, and as it was commanded, Iob. 14.31. As the Father gave me commandement, even ſo I doe. He doth the will of his Father, and no otherwiſe then he would have it done, hee minded what was to be done, and the manner of doing it. Here is a pretious pattern of obedience for us: Doth Chriſt doe the will of his father, not his own; and ſhall we doe our wills and not the Lords? Its argument then that we are neither of Chriſt, nor of God, but of our ſelves. Moſt men when God appoints, commands, they either neglect or doe it not ſpeedily, or not in that manner they ought to doe.
2. Thoſe that faithfully and conſcientiouſly execute the commiſſion given them of God, may boldly give up their accompts to God. The man here cloathed with linnen had done his duty, executed his Commiſſion to the full, and he could with cheerfulneſſe and confidence come before the Lord, and ſay, I have done as thou haſt commanded me. When Chriſt was on earth, and had many commands from his Father, and great worke to doe, he did perform what was impos'd, and ſo exactly, that hee could at end of the day when his worke was done, with confidence give up his accompt, give in his report, and ſay, I have glorified thee on earth, I have finiſhed the worke thou gaveſt me to do, and now O father glorifie me with thy ſelf. He did not his own will, but his Fathers will, not his own works, but his Fathers works. If we doe the will and work of God, we ſhall be able to lift up our heads, and comfortably to make report of what we have done.
The unjuſt Steward when call'd to give accompt, could not doe it with comfort or confidence; thoſe abide in the doctrine & work of Chriſt ſhall have confidence before Chriſt at his comming: You are in place look to your charge, can you ſay with him in the Goſpel, Luke 14.22. Lord it is done as thou haſt commanded.
3. Chriſt delights in doing good to, and ſecuring of thoſe his Father affects: Mourners here pleaſed God; he ſends Chriſt to ſeale them and comfort them, and quickly returns to ſatisfie the mind of his Father, and to ſhew what delightfull worke that is unto him. Chriſt was as carefull afterwards as now, Iohn 6.39. This is the Fathers will which hath ſent me, that of all which he hath given me I ſhould looſe nothing, but ſhould raiſe it up againe at the laſt day.