Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them ,.... Like a mighty torrent, carrying all before it: I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath ; by the sword, famine, pestilence, and captivity: their own way have I recompensed on their heads, saith the Lord ; brought just punishment upon them, such as their ways and works deserved; "the vengeance of their way,' as the Targum. read more
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, etc.: - Have I poured out mine indignation - consumed them with the fire of my wrath... read more
Common corruption of all classes . To complete the picture of the debasement and moral deterioration of Jerusalem, the prophet reviews the several classes of which the population of a great city is composed. He finds in every class signs of departure from God, signs of abandonment to the vices and crimes which prevailed among the heathen around. I. THE PROPHETS , WHO SHOULD SPEAK GOD 'S TRUTH , DECEIVE AND LIE , AND THUS MISLEAD THE PEOPLE . In what sense... read more
Highest rank among men not sought. The development of human civilization demands an organized system. Men require to be classified according to their ability and fitness to contribute to the welfare of the whole. For the public benefit there must be ruler and subject, master and servant, teacher and taught, commander and army. Each, according to his office, has duties and obligations, the neglect of which brings instant loss and distant ruin. I. OFFICIAL RANK HAS DEFINITE ... read more
The universal prevalence of wickedness, and the consequent certainty of judgment. "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed," etc. I. THE UNIVERSAL PREVALENCE OF WICKEDNESS . This is exhibited by Ezekiel: 1. In the absence of any effective correction thereof . "Thou art the land that is not cleansed." This refers to the moral condition of the people. The figure is viewed by some as a land that is... read more
The sixth word of judgment. The special sins of princes, priests, and people.Ezekiel 22:26Violated - Better as in margin; to offer “violence” to the Law is to misinterpret it. It was the special office of the priests to keep up the distinction between “holy” and “unholy,” “clean” and “unclean” Leviticus 10:10.Ezekiel 22:28See the marginal reference note.Ezekiel 22:30The land might be said to perish for the lack of such interpositions as saved their forefathers when Moses “stood in the gap.”... read more
Ezekiel 22:29-31. 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... read more
National decay (22:1-31)With Jerusalem’s end approaching, God again told Ezekiel to show the city its sins and the humiliating judgment that these sins would bring upon it (22:1-5). Powerful people exploited others, without any respect for the laws of God or the dignity of their fellow human beings (6-8). The corrupt city was characterized by lies, violence, idolatry, bribery, oppression and sexual sins of the worse kind (9-12). God warned that in punishment for its wickedness, he would destroy... read more
31. their own way . . . recompensed upon their heads— (Ezekiel 9:10; Ezekiel 11:21; Ezekiel 16:43; Proverbs 1:31; Isaiah 3:11; Jeremiah 6:19). read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 22:23-31
Here is, I. A general idea given of the land of Israel, how well it deserved the judgments coming to destroy it and how much it needed these judgments to refine it. Let the prophet tell her plainly, ?Thou art the land that is not cleansed, not refined as metal is, and therefore needest to be again put into the furnace. Means and methods of reformation have been ineffectual; thou art not rained upon in the day of indignation.? This was one of the judgments which God brought upon them in the day... read more