Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 14:11

11 That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions: but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.

Afflictions ever tend to a good and necessary effect or end for Gods glory, and his peoples good, and so 'tis here.

Which are the seed of Iacob, and my people.

They have wandred as sheep, which naturally are apt to go out of the way, and much more when seduced, and drawn out of the way, but afflictions tend to red[illegible: 1 letter]ce them from sheepish wandrings.

Their onely God and Saviour.

Idolatry is a great pollution, and ever attended with other transgressions and immoralities, which defile also, now by their present calamities God will open their eyes to see and abhor them.

In name and external profession they were Gods people, but they had forgotten their relation, and the duty of it to Godward, now by these present corrections they shall be disposed to own, and love, to obey and walk with him as he is their God and they his people. This effect the rod will have on my own people.