Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 13

1 AND the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

This first verse is the commission, by vertue whereof Ezekiel acteth as a Prophet, and 'tis in the usual stile near forty times in Ezekiel as here 'tis.

2 Son of man, prophesie against the prophets of Israel that prophesie, and say thou unto them that prophesie out of their own hearts, hear ye the word of the LORD.

Declare aforehand what I will do.

Against Prince and People first, next against Prophets and prophetesses, against the former in the foregoing chapters, against the latter in this chapter.

Because approved of Israel, encouraged by Israel and followed, but not Prophets of the Lord, he sent them not, whether these were in Babylon, or in Ierusalem, some enquiry is made, probably these false Prophets were in both places.

Foretel what is pleasing to the Jews, a sudden return out of Captivity, with the vessels of the Lords house, and prosperity in their own Land.

But al[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 2 letters]eir promising words are of themselves, out of their own deceiving hearts, not from God, and so all will be lies.

Cease to deceive my people, and attend now to what God speaks of you.

Marginal references: verse 17.; Heb. are prophets.; Jer. 14.14. and 23.16.

3 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Wo unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and hav eseen nothing.

They shall be doubly miserable, suffering with the deceived, and suffering by the inraged, when their lies are detected.

Either in a moral sense, i. e. wicked, or in a literal sense unwise. Tis both foolishly wicked and imprudent to pretend Revelations, and yet have none from God.

In contradistinction to the Spirit of God, the true spirit of prophesie, they strongly phansie what they would have, and then presumptuously prophesie that it shall come to pass.

God hath shewed them no vision, nothing of all they pretend to is from God.

Marginal references: Heb. walk after.; Or, and things which they have not seen.

4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.

A pathetical exclamation to awake Israel, both the dwellers at Ierusalem and those at Babylon.

Thy Prophets not mine as ver. 2.

Hungry, and ravening, crafty, and guileful, and living by their wits, but not one whit helpful to those they deceive such are false Prophets.

Where want of prey makes them more eager of their prey, and where other devourring Beasts endanger Travellers, but no defence to them from Foxes, these fly into their holes betimes, and leave the endangered ones. Or thus, O Israel thou art like the desert spoiled and robbed, and thy false Prophets like Foxes hungry and hunting for some prey, live upon what they can catch, but will be no more profitable to thee then Foxes are to the Wilderness.

5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel, to stand in the battel in the day of the LORD.

Vulpin Prophets.

As in a besieged City whose wall is broken down and the Enemy ready to enter, a valiant, faithful, and vigilant Souldier would run up into the breach to repell the Enemy, so true Prophets do partly by Prayer, and partly by Doctrine, and partly by personal Reformation, labour to preserve Gods people, but Fox like they have shifted out of harms way.

The house of Israel is the Lords Vineyard, through the hedge whereof many breaches are made, through which wild and wasting beasts come in and devour the Grapes and spoil the Vines, but you have not stopt those breaches, but Fox like come in and pulled off the tender grapes, and done the most mischief, you have increased sin and danger thereby. And when the Lords wrath shall give up the City, you will not stand to oppose the Enemy breaking in, so useless will these be at last.

Not with Armes but with Fasting, Prayers, Repentance laying hold on the arm of the Lord, and interceding for his people.

Which God will by the Chaldeans Fight against the house of Israel, in that day of the Lord the weapons of War will not prevail against the Chaldeans, unless Prayers, Tears, and Amendment prevail with the Lord to withdraw the battel and be at peace with Israel.

Marginal references: Or, breaches.; Heb. hedged up a hedge.

6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, the LORD saith, and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

They pretend to have seen but still they see nothing, as ver. 2. The Prophet speaks as if indeed they had seen, but the very censure of the things they said they saw, clears it, that all was but pretence.

Things that have no ground or foundation, and which will never be, and are therefore called vanity and lying Divinations.

Foretelleth and promiseth.

Never revealed any such thing to them, or bade them tell the Jews any such thing.

By their pretences, and arguments they have wheedled some into a belief of their word, and into a hope of that they promise, and so the credulous Jew is undone by his Prophet, who tells him all is well and needs no alteration, and all will be well, and they need fear no desolation.

7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, the LORD saith it, albeit I have not spoken?

Consider with your own Consciences, do they not tell you, that all is vain pretence which you make, can you think Ierusalem can escape, or the first Captives be returned and all this so soon? Is not this vain to be imagined, and they vainer that imagin and believe it?

If it should come to pass, which it never shall, yet herein you are convicted lyars; you say the Lord saith when as he hath said no such thing, nay the contrary hath God spoken to what you speak, and the event shall be as contrary to your expectation, which is of Good, but behold evil cometh out of the North, and great destruction.

8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.

The whole verse speaks the dreadful anger of God against those fal[illegible: 1 letter]e Prophets, it is unspeakable wrath and we are left to ghesse at it by the manner of speech here used, which is minatory, Ezek 2[illegible: 1 letter].3. & 26.[illegible: 1 letter]. concealing the greater part intended [illegible: 1 letter]n Aposiopesis.

This is more particularly exemplified in the next verse.

9 And mine hand shall be upon the Prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

My power striking them, so that it shall be evident they fall under divine revenge, as Pelatiah, chap. 11.13. and Hananiah, Ier. 28.15, 16. Or if they escape this stroke.

Have no seat among the Rulers, nor voice among the councellours, nor credit among the Judges of my people; but as false fellows, teachers of lies, be branded with infamy after the return from Captivity. Or, they shall not be among those that return, dead before, or rejected as dangerous seducers and blasphemous abusers of the name of God. It may also refer to the excluding them out of the assembly of glorified ones in Heaven.

Not registred among those that return, of which registry. Ezra 2.1▪ 2. but blotted out for their impiety, this literally; mystically it may be an obliterating, or blotting them out of the book of Life, they shall not be written with such as shall escape, spiritually, they shall not be found among the elect that shall live for ever.

They shall never more come into the Land of Israel, not survive the Captivity. Or, with disgrace cast off shall die in strange Lands. In brief the approaching prosperity which they promise the people none shall see, Ier. 29.21, 32. but the prosperity after 70 years captivity, which I promise, my people shall see, but these false Prophets never shall see, my hand shall be so against them. They shall not be written in the books of Eternal Life, which is written for the just ones of the house of Israel, saith the Chaldee paraphrast.

See Chap. 12. verse 15.

10 ¶ Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace, and there was no peace: and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered morter.

The verse is a transition to a new subject, or rather to a new manner of discovering and condemning the sin of the false Prophets.

Made my people to erre, both in their apprehension of their sin and danger, and of my displeasure and threats, as if all were less then 'twas, and there needed no Repentance, or submission to the Babylonish King.

All will be well, no warr or else victory, no more going into captivity, but a speedy return of those that are in captivity, when nothing of all this but the contrary was to be told them, universal calamity was at the door, and these var[illegible: 1 letter]ets promise universal tranquillity and plenty.

Some one or other chief among the false Prophets, as Hananiah, Ier. 28.15. and Shema[illegible: 1 letter]ah, Ier. 29.31. Or Ahab Son of Kolajah, Ier. 29.21, 22.

When the state of the Church was shattered and ready to fall, these chief false prophets would undertake to repair and build it, but indeed all was a meer contrived cheat, like as if a pretended Architect should promise to build a wall substantial and sound, but a pack of deceitful builders in confederacy with this one set to laying the stones, and then with dirt instead of morter, with meking and dissolving mire instead of holding, and well tempered Cement, daub the wall, so the chief seducers cry peace, peace and all the kennel of lesser cheats follow full cry, peace, peace, within two years shall the King of Babylon cease saith one, Ier. 28.11. and all the inferiour Prophets applaud the con[illegible: 1 letter]ecture, and perswade the people to believe it, but the end will evince them Lyars, as in the following verse.

Marginal references: Jer. 6.14. and 8.11.; chap. 22.28.

11 Say unto them, that daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing showre, and ye, O great hail stones, shall fall, and a stormy wind shall rent it.

The meaner and less noted, who follow the Arch-false-Prophets, and are, as under workers in this wall.

Most certainly its fall shall be the shame and loss of the builders and those that hoped its duration.

Abundant, violent, and continued showers shall soak into your wall and dissolve the cement, and this showre is the Babylonish invasion, which all your provision shall be no more able to withstand, then mire in a wall can keep the stones together when drencht with showers.

I will summon in the storms of hail, which with mighty stones shall beat upon the ruinous wall.

Viz. Upon the wall.

A whirlwind to shake the tumbling stones, which without much shaking would ere long drop down, but to hasten the downfal, soaking showres, storms of Hail and violent Winds shall meet, so shall your crazy state, O deceived Jews, come down to ruine.

12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye daubed it?

Will not men thenceforth laugh you to scorn, you that built, you that daubed, you that applauded the wall, will they not upbraid you with your folly?

13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, I will even rent it with a stormy wind in my fury: and there shall be an overflowing showre in mine anger, and great hail-stones in my fury to consume it.

This confirms what was said verse 11th. where 'tis explained, this verse addeth that God will do this by his hand and in anger and fury, taking vengeance on this scoffing, Atheistical, and secure generation in his just displeasure, he will execute the fierceness of his anger upon Prince, Prophets, People, City, and all their Confederates.

14 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Pull it down stone by stone.

Level it with the ground.

The unsoundness of the foundation, what ever it may seem to be.

To every one that will look on it, and this to the utter shame of the builders.

Who deceive and are deceived by it.

Shall perish in the midst thereof, s[illegible: 1 letter] all that hearkned to these false Prophets, rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, Fortified the City, and obstinately stood it out, fell with the ruines of the City and perisht, and then felt the stroak of Gods hand, and truth of his Prophet.

This verse with very little variation repeats the same dreadful procedure of God against this people, and these false Prophets, and their false ill-grounded confidences. And this repeating these things is to give us to know the certainty of the thing, the terrour wherewith God will do it, and the stupidity of the jews bewitcht by the flatteries of their false Prophets.

15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, the wall is no more, neither they that daubed it.

In this dreadful manner by my hand visible in doing it.

Fulfill what my Prophets foretold and perform my word and theirs, and fully pour out my wrath, so that it shall be fully according to the just displeasure they have provoked in me.

I will deride them in their ruine, as Psal. 2.4. and Prov. 1.26.

God curseth confidences in an arm of flesh, and will destroy them, for they are set up in direct opposition to his justice and sovereignty, to his threats and truth of them.

16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesie concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

See ver. 2▪ 4.

See ver. 7.

17 ¶ Likewise thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people which prophesie out of their own heart, and prophesie thou against them.

Now turn thy self and discourse against the Prophe[illegible: 1 letter]esses, fear them not, see the phrase, chap. 4.3.

Some would have the Prophets words to be intended against the effeminate men, who were of no value, and by contempt called the Daughters of his people, but I see no cause why the Prophets words should not be directed against the Women who pretended to be Prophetesses.

That were with him in Babylon. Or, rather, because they were Jews they are called daughters of his people. Or might they not be daughters of Priests, and so more nearly of kin to Ezekiel.

There were Women who had the gift of prophesie, Exod. 15.20. Iud. 4.4. and 2 Kings 22.14. and Ioel 2.28. and brought messages from God, but these in the text pretend themselves to be Prophetesses, and speak their own imaginations, and fasten their lies on the God of truth.

Marginal references: verse 2.

18 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD, Wo to the women that fow pillows to all armholes, and make kercheifs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls: will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?

Calamities of all sorts shall fall upon them.

A figurative speech expressing their flatteries and security, which the Women promised to every [illegible: 1 letter]ae that came to them to know the fate of themselves and others, in token of which safety and ease, either these Women did put them for these enquirers to sleep on. Or, else to lean on as they lay on their side at meat, or else these Gypsies, fortune-tellers, did sleep or pretend to sleep on those Pillows and thereby signifie the peace, safety, and ease, which this people should have.

All comers had the same answer, these Women made not any difference.

Either vailes, or triumphal Hats or Caps, which were made by these Prophetesses, and these were put upon the head of every one who consulted them, and by these habits the deceived enquirer was either perswaded he was made fit to receive the Oracle, or was to interpret the sign as promise of victory over the Babylonian, and a triumphant rest in Iudaea, perhaps they might use both, the vailes were put on to signifie the shame with which their Enemies faces should be covered; the triumphant Caps to note the joys of the Jews, but the event shewed which belonged to the one and other.

i. e. Of every age, whether younger or elder, which usually is somewhat seen by their stature or growth.

All this is a pretence, while really 'tis spreading a net, as Hunters do, to catch the prey and devour it.

The Persons, Life, Estate and all to enrich or maintain themselves.

Dare you promise they shall live when I do promise no such thing? Or can you preserve them alive whom you deceive by your promises? Are you no whit afraid thus to prophane my name and to ensnare my people?

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word]

19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley, and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

Profanely contradicting what is indeed spoken in my name, and pretending my name for that I never spake, nor will do.

Who are my peculiar, who have my Word and true Prophets, by which your lies are discovered, and farther will be, what shameless impudence is this to abuse my name, counterfeit my hand and seal to them that do or might know both!

For a mean reward, tell fortunes for a penny! but there may be herein a Provision made against the Famine which was threatned and would come, this grain might be kept.

Bread and morsels of Bread, mercenary Sorceresses! That thus make sale of their predictions for to feed their hungry bellies.

You denounce evil to the be[illegible: 1 letter], perhaps threatned those in Babylon with death, whom God will keep alive there.

Declaring safety, plenty, prosperity, peace without War or victory in the War, included in that they live.

Most falsely flattering those that come to you, and most maliciously threatning those that come not, because they know you speak your own lies. You save whom i'le kill, and kill whom i'le save.

Marginal references: See Mic. 3.5.

20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD, behold, I am against your pillows wherewith ye there hunt the souls, to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

The same phrase ver. 8.

The Rite, and its signification too.

Either at Ierusalem, or where ever you give out answers,

In this sense the word is no where else used, and thus used here renders the interpretation obscure, elsewhere 'tis to bud as Num. 17.8. and Ezek. 7.10. to blossom, Isa. 27.6. to spring up as a Flower or Vine, Psal. 92.7. and Cant. 6.11. to grow, as Hos. 14.8. Thus the sense is obvious, by these lying Ceremonies thus applied you promise a flourishing, growing, state to all enquirers, and this is the net with which you hunt souls, 'tis possible these Prophetesses might bring their deceived ones into pleasant Gardens, and (if well paid for it) entertain with all the pleasures of Flowers and Fruits, and might not these Prophetesses be the Priests of Flora, and seduce young, fair, wanton ones to the Idolatry and brutish pleasures of the Floralia?

With some violence, and suddenness that may express an indignation, as 2 Kings 5.7. when the King of Israel rent his clothes at the hearing the letter of Benhadad King of Syria, so in wrath will God suddenly tear your enchanting and divining habits.

Either from the arms of such as put them on when they consulted with these seducers. Or, may be the seducers might ordinarily wear them to be known what they were.

You held the souls of those that heard you as Captives. Or, as bewitched with your enchantments and pleasures, but I will set them free, some I will enlighten to discover your frauds; others I will undeceive by sending them into Captivity.

Marginal references: Or, into gardens.

21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your r hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

See v. 18.

God owns them, at least some among them, tho all were not his, yet he had a people among them.

Power of their seductions.

22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthned the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life.

Diametrically opposing what my Prophets told to my people in my name.

The Soul, which in weak ones received some sadning impressions from your lies; in the strongest and wisest 'twas matter of grief, to see so many contradict the Lord to their own ruin.

Who keep my Law, and have respect to all my precepts though none can fulfil the Law, the upright and just▪

Against whom you do thunder out your woes, but I know better how to distribute my orders, I never commissioned, nor ever will commission, any Prophet to sadden the heart of a just one, who n[illegible: 1 letter]eds and is fit for encouragement, or to threaten where they should promise.

Your flatteries perswade the worst to think they are in a good way, need not repent, and return, and so, their hearts hardned in wickedness, their hands do work it, God would convince and turn the wicked, but you confirm them that they return not from sin, you assure them, but 'tis with lying words, that they shall not dye by Pestilence, nor Famin, nor Sword, but live and prosper.

Marginal references: Jer. 23.14.; Or, that I should save his life.; Heb. by quickning him.

23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

See chap. 12.24. Either these Prophetesses with the Prophets of the same stamp shall perish in the day of calamity, and the miseries that they perswaded others to sleight and contemn. Or, else, if they live, they shall live to see all their predictions of prosperity vanish, to see the righteous, whom they threatned, escape, and the wicked, whom they spake good of, fall under miseries, this shall so confound them, they shall cease f[illegible: 1 letter]r ever, and pretend no more visions. Your credit shall be gone, and you found false dreamers, you shall never more be able to keep up any power over, or interest in my people. Not one just righteous soul shall ever grieve, or apprehend cause of fear from what you threaten, and the unrighteous shall no more joy in the expectation of these lying promises. All shall know that I am the Lord, who fulfil promises to the just, and execute threats on the bad.

Marginal references: Mich. 3.6.