Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Ezekiel
Book: Ezekiel
Chapter: 21
Overview:
The ruin of
Judah under the emblem of a sharp
Sword.
(1-17)
The approach of the
King of
Babylon described.
(18-27) The
Destruction of the Ammonites.
(28-32)
1-17 Here is an explanation of the
Parable in the last
Chapter.
It is declared that the
Lord was about to cut off
Jerusalem and
the whole land, that all might know it was his decree against a
wicked and rebellious people. It behooves those who denounce the
awful wrath of
God against sinners, to show that they do not
desire the woeful
Day. The
Example of
Christ teaches us to lament
over those whose ruin we declare. Whatever instruments
God uses
in executing his judgments, he will strengthen them according to
the service they are employed in. The
Sword glitters to the
terror of those against whom it is drawn. It is a
Sword to
others, a rod to the people of the
Lord.
God is in
Earnest in
pronouncing this sentence, and the
Prophet must show himself in
Earnest in publishing it.
18-27 By the
Spirit of
Prophecy Ezekiel foresaw
Nebuchadnezzar's march from
Babylon, which he would determine
By
Divination. The
Lord would overturn the government of
Judah,
till the coming of Him whose right it is. This seems to foretell
the overturnings of the Jewish nation to the present
Day, and
the troubles of states and kingdoms, which shall make way for
establishing the
Messiah's kingdom throughout the
Earth. The
Lord secretly leads all to adopt his
Wise designs. And in the
midst of the most tremendous warnings of wrath, we still hear of
Mercy, and some mention of Him through whom
Mercy is shown to
sinful men.
28-32 The diviners of the Ammonites made false prophecies of
victory. They would never recover their power, but in time would
be wholly forgotten. Let us be thankful to be employed as
instruments of
Mercy; let us use our understandings in doing
good; and let us stand aloof from men who are only skilful to
destroy.