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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 12:21-28

Various methods had been used to awaken this secure and careless people to an expectation of the judgments coming, that they might be stirred up, by repentance and reformation, to prevent them. The prophecies of their ruin were confirmed by visions, and illustrated by signs, and all with such evidence and power that one would think they must needs be wrought upon; but here we are told how they evaded the conviction, and guarded against it, namely, by telling themselves, and one another, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:22

Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel ,.... Which question is put, as ignorant of it, but as filled with indignation at the impiety and boldness of those that used it, and in order to expose the wickedness and folly of it: saying, the days are prolonged ; the days of affliction and distress; the time of Jerusalem's destruction, and of the Babylonish captivity, these were not to be of a long time; and therefore they were ready to flatter themselves they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:23

Tell them therefore ,.... Plainly and boldly, with the greatest assurance and confidence, as from God himself: thus saith the Lord God, I will make this proverb to cease ; by quickly accomplishing the things which they, by this proverb, represented as at a great distance, and what would never be brought about: and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel ; when the things predicted shall take place: but say unto them, the days are at hand, and the effect of every vision ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 12:22

The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth? - These are the words of the infidels and scoffers, who, because vengeance was not speedily executed on an evil work, set their heart to do iniquity. "These predictions either will not come in our days, or will wholly fail; why then should we disquiet ourselves about them?" Strange, that the very means used by the most gracious God to bring sinners to repentance, should be made by them the very instruments of their own destruction! See 2... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 12:23

The days are at hand - Far from failing or being prolonged, time is posting on, and the destruction threatened is at the door. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 12:21-28

The snare of unbelief. Faith has the power to make the distant near. It obliterates distance of time and space. But unbelief reverses the effect. It looks in at the wrong end of the telescope, and reduces realities to a mere speck. Unbelief corrupts all blessing; it makes sour the very cream of God's kindness. "Because judgment is not speedily executed," incorrigible rebellion makes a mock of retribution. I. THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF DISTANT JUDGMENT IS GREAT KINDNESS . The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 12:21-28

The word of the Lord discredited and vindicated. "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel?" etc. I. THE WORD OF THE LORD DISCREDITED . 1 . It was discredited in various degrees. 2 . It was discredited in open expression. "Behold, the house of Israel say, The vision that he sooth is for many days," etc. (verse 27). In the case of those who entirely discredited the word of the Lord by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 12:22

What is that proverb, etc.? The words indicate how the previous messages had been received. Like the men of Jerusalem, the exiles could not believe that the judgment was so near. They said, in words that had become proverbial: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 12:22-23

A worthless proverb. Ezekiel quotes a proverb with which the Jews are comforting themselves, and tells them that it cannot be relied on. I. A PROVERB IS READILY ACCEPTED . 1 . Its aptness of expression attracts us. We are taken by neatness of phrase. A lie may be ably expressed, and a great fallacy may strike us as particularly well put. Thus the form disguises the substance. 2 . Its wide use throws us off our guard. We regard it as an embodiment of "the wisdom of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 12:22-28

The human proverb and the Divine. National proverbs embody national thinking, national sentiments, national habits. They sometimes convey counsels of wisdom. But they are sometimes superficial and all but valueless. As in the case here recorded, such frivolous and misleading sayings need to be replaced and substituted by the dictates of inspiration, of infallible wisdom, and undying truth. I. A SPECIOUS PROVERB OF HUMAN WISDOM . 1 . Its import. This was twofold—it... read more

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