The Lord then replied that many of the Jews in Jerusalem were saying that the Judahites who had gone into captivity were the ones that God was judging. They believed that the Jews left in Jerusalem were the remnant that God would preserve and bless. They incorrectly believed that Israel’s future lay with the Jews in Jerusalem rather than with the Jews in exile. read more
The assurance of restoration in the future 11:14-21Block entitled this modified disputation speech "The Gospel according to Ezekiel." [Note: Block, The Book . . ., p. 341.] read more
The Doom of the Leaders of Jerusalem’s wickedness. Comfort for the ExilesThe slaughter in Ezekiel 9 was only the visionary rehearsal of a judgment still in the future. The vision now takes another turn, and shows the wicked inhabitants still alive. Ezekiel is brought to the outer eastern gate of the Temple where he finds a group of the leaders of Jerusalem’s sinful policy, two of whom are mentioned by name (Ezekiel 11:1-2). A proverb by which they express their light-hearted security is turned... read more
(15) Thy brethren—i.e., those who were with Ezekiel in the Captivity. The expression is made emphatic by repetition, and by the addition, “men of thy kindred.” The people remaining in Jerusalem, with arrogant confidence in themselves, and without sympathy for the exiles, had said to them, by words and by deeds, “We are holier than you; we dwell in the chosen city, we have the Temple, the appointed priesthood and sacrifices, and we have in possession the land of the Church of God; you are... read more
Ezekiel 11:2-3 The plans of the conspirators did not mature all at once Ezekiel on the Chebar had time to hear of them, and direct a prophecy against the 'men that devise mischief. These revolutionary spirits were not unaware of the risks they ran: 'This city is the caldron, and we be the flesh'. With a certain grim-ness of humour they acknowledge that it will be hot for them, but the strong city will protect them as the pot protects the flesh from the fire. Ezekiel tells them that the only... read more
YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT UNTO YOU DESOLATEEzekiel 8:1-18; Ezekiel 9:1-11; Ezekiel 10:1-22; Ezekiel 11:1-25ONE of the most instructive phases of religious belief among the Israelites of the seventh century was the superstitious regard in which the Temple at Jerusalem was held. Its prestige as the metropolitan sanctuary had no doubt steadily increased from the time when it was built. But it was in the crisis of the Assyrian invasion that the popular sentiment in favour of its peculiar sanctity was... read more
Ezekiel 11:1-25 . The priests and the leaders of the nation were steeped in wickedness, defied God and the judgments His prophets had announced. They devised mischief (or iniquity) and gave wicked counsel. Their wicked counsel consisted in disobedience against Jehovah and His Word. In regard to the judgment they said, “It is not the time to build houses; this is the cauldron and we are the flesh.” They knew of Jeremiah’s letter which he had sent to the elders who were carried away captives. In... read more
11:15 Son of man, thy {g} brethren, [even] thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, [are] they to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Retire far from the LORD: to us is this land given in possession.(g) They that remained at Jerusalem thus reproached them that were gone into captivity as though they were cast off and forsaken by God. read more
VISIONS OF IDOLATRY It is the general opinion that these chapters introduce a new stage of the prophecies, and that while those of the last lesson comprehended Judah and Israel, these refer more particularly to Jerusalem and the people of Judah under Zedekiah. The fuller story of this period was in Jeremiah. The prophet is seen in his own house by the Chebar, and the elders of Judah are before him for instruction (Ezekiel 8:1 ). “Elders” we understand to mean, some who are in captivity with... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 11:15
15. thy brethren . . . brethren—The repetition implies, "Thy real brethren" are no longer the priests at Jerusalem with whom thou art connected by the natural ties of blood and common temple service, but thy fellow exiles on the Chebar, and the house of Israel whosoever of them belong to the remnant to be spared. men of thy kindred—literally, "of thy redemption," that is, the nearest relatives, whose duty it was to do the part of Goel, or vindicator and redeemer of a forfeited inheritance... read more