27. princes—who should have employed the influence of their position for the people's welfare, made "gain" their sole aim. wolves—notorious for fierce and ravening cruelty (Micah 3:2; Micah 3:3; Micah 3:9-11; John 10:12). read more
Corrupt leaders 22:23-31"Often the prophets are inspired to compose attacks on the leadership of Israelite society. The reason for this phenomenon is clear enough: the nation could never have become sufficiently corrupt to merit the outpouring of God’s destructive wrath unless the societal leadership had helped the process along." [Note: Ibid., p. 216.] read more
Judah’s princes (officials, nobles, Heb. sarim) also abused the people to get what the people had. They behaved like wild wolves. The false prophets evidently assisted the nobles in their wickedness by saying in the name of the Lord that what the officials were doing was right."By a terrible Jekyll and Hyde transformation the civil authorities who should have been shepherds with the welfare of their flock at heart changed into wild beasts preying on the sheep (cf. Ezekiel 34:8)." [Note: Allen,... read more
Another Indictment of JerusalemThe various religious and social evils that prevail in the city are recited (Ezekiel 22:1-11). Their coming punishment is then predicted, first in direct terms (Ezekiel 22:13-16), and next under the figure of a smelting furnace (Ezekiel 22:17-22). Lastly, all classes in Jerusalem, prophets, priests, princes, and people, are included in the general condemnation (Ezekiel 22:23-31).2. The bloody city] referring to those unjustly put to death by the wicked rulers of... read more
(27) Her princes.—These are not only the kings, but also the nobles and those in authority at court—in other words, the ruling class. Their injustice and violence is a constant theme for prophetic rebuke. read more
Ezekiel 22:14 What wisdom and philosophy, and perpetual experience, and revelation, and promises, and blessings cannot do, a mighty fear can; it can allay the confidences of bold lust and imperious sin, and soften our spirit into the lowness of a child, our revenge into charity of prayers, our impudence into the blushings of a chidden girl; and therefore God hath taken a cause proportionable. Jeremy Taylor. Bunyan twice uses this verse; once in The Pilgrim's Progress, opposite the following... read more
FINAL ORACLES AGAINST JERUSALEMEzekiel 22:1-31; Ezekiel 24:1-27THE close of the first period of Ezekiel’s work was marked by two dramatic incidents, which made the day memorable both in the private life of the prophet and in the history of the nation. In the first place it coincided exactly with the commencement of the siege of Jerusalem. The prophet’s mysterious knowledge of what was happening at a distance was duly recorded, in order that its subsequent confirmation through the ordinary... read more
Ezekiel 22:1-31 ; Ezekiel 23:1-49 . Before the sharpened sword of justice and retribution does its dreadful work, the Lord uncovers the guilt and vileness of the city and lays bare the corruption of her prophets, priests, and princes, as well as of the people. The violence and abomination of Jerusalem are revealed in Ezekiel 22:1-16 ; the smelting furnace in Ezekiel 22:17-23 is the symbol of Jehovah’s fiery indignation against Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The corruption of the prophets,... read more
CLOSE OF PART ONE Lack of space makes it necessary to crowd the remainder of Part 1 into a single lesson, but nothing vital to its general understanding will be lost, as the chapters are, to a certain extent, repetitions of the foregoing. LAMENTATIONS FOR THE PRINCES (Ezekiel 19:0 ) The theme of this chapter is found in the first and last verses. The “princes” are the kings of Judah Jehoahaz, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah, whose histories were made familiar in the closing chapters of 2 Kings ,... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezekiel 22:27
Ezekiel 22:27. To get dishonest gain— For greediness of lucre. REFLECTIONS.—1st, Jerusalem, the bloody city, is here brought to the bar, to be convicted and condemned: and the prophet is constituted of God both her accuser and her judge. 1. Her abominations are many, great, and aggravated; and they are shewn her to evince and manifest the justice of God in her destruction. [1.] Murder: The blood of innocents was shed in the midst of her, from assassinations, tyrannical abuse of power, or... read more