Ezekiel 33:30-33

30-33. The startling fulfillment of Ezekiel’s last prophecy had aroused special interest in his every word. Everybody was now talking about him, but not against him (Ezekiel 33:30). They come in crowds “according to the coming of a people,” and sit with seeming reverence (compare Ezekiel 20:1-4) and speak words of love and appreciation, but “their heart goeth after their gain.” (Compare Ezekiel 33:31 and 2 Timothy 4:10.) They listen to the music of his words as he speaks of the new Israel, explains the principles of God’s government and calls them to repent and cast out all idols from their hearts, that they may once again enjoy a true spiritual and national life and not everlastingly perish; but they listen as if it were merely a sweet song (compare Psalms 137:3) without any appreciation of its profound truth and personal application to themselves (Ezekiel 33:32). Some day, when these judgments shall fall upon them, they shall know! (Ezekiel 33:33.) Adam Clarke says of the congregation who gathered to hear this now popular preacher, “They admired the fine voice and correct delivery of the prophet; this was their religion; and this is the whole of the religion of thousands to the present day; for never were itching ears so multiplied as now.” (Compare Expositor’s Bible, pp. 293-303, and Whittier’s poem, “Ezekiel.”)