Verses 1-20
The Prophet and the Individual
This passage combines an expanded repetition of Ezekiel 3:17-21 with a condensed repetition of Ezekiel 18:5-29. The prophet is a watchman, responsible for warning his people of the consequences of sin. God deals with individual souls in strict justice, and desires that all should turn from their evil ways and live. These principles, already announced, became of special importance, and found their real application, after the fall of Jerusalem. As Ezekiel had foretold (Ezekiel 24:23), that disaster stunned the exiles by its shock. They were overwhelmed by the judgment that had overtaken the nation for its sin. They pined away under it and felt that recovery was hopeless (Ezekiel 33:10). The nation being thus destroyed there was only a company of individuals left, and the religion of the individual came to have a new significance which has never passed away.
2. Thesword] usually a symbol of impending calamity (see Ezekiel 14:17, Ezekiel 21), but here it is simply a detail in the figure of the watchman. The destruction of Jerusalem was past, and no further judgment was specially in view. Of their coasts] RV ’from among them.’ The prophet’s position is represented as due to the people’s choice as well as to the call of God. This indicates that Ezekiel had now more recognition from the exiles than before.
5. But.. deliver] RV ’whereas if he had taken warning he should have delivered.’
10. If our transgressions.. be] RV ’our transgressions.. are.’
13. For] RV ’in.’ For it] RV ’therein.’
16. Mentioned unto] RV ’remembered against.’
18. Thereby] RV ’therein.’
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