Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 2:3

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel , to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day .

Vid. ver. 2.

Either vocally or by impression upon his mind.

The Prophet had seen v. 26. of the former chapter, a very glorious person on a Throne above the Firmament, and now the Prophet is called Son of Man, perhaps as the Jews conjecture to encourage the Prophet in his prophetick work, and to assure him he should be owned by that glorious one, who appeared as a man, and calls Ezekiel Son of man, it is certain he would never forget what he had seen, and 'tis likely this [non-Latin text not transcribed] as oft as it was spoken would mind the Prophet what relation it might have to the Vision.

I am sending, or he that sendeth thee is whom thou sawest on the Throne advanced above Angels, who directs them in their course of ministry subserving the will of God, and who will give them charge of thee in thy way.

Heb. Sons, God gives them still the name of Sons and Children, he is not hasty to abdicate, to disinherit, and cast off.

Now in the low estate of Captives, the lessening name of Iacob had been too great one might think; but God tells the Prophet they were the Children of Israel, that Prince who wrestled with God and prevailed, Hos. 12.3, 4, 5. It is very likely they had some that feared, and sought the God of Iacob, and did wrestle as he had done before them; it insinuateth some hope however that God would redeem them Psal. 23.22. would be good unto them, Psal. 73.1. His Dominion was over them, Psal. 114.2. and they were a peculiar people, Ps. 135.4.12.

Heb. Nations that are rebellious, very disobedient; as rebellion is the highest crime against the supream Magistrate, so were Israels sins against God: Hence some will have Ezekiel to be commissioned a Prophet to denounce Gods judgements against the Heathen, who are in Scripture called by the word here used. But though Ezekiel did Prophesie against the Nations, as against Egypt, Babylon, Gog and Ma[illegible: 1 letter]dg, yet here these Nations in this third verse are the Jews who were like the Nations in their Idolatry and Manners, they had degenerated from their Father Israel, and rebelled against Israels God, if the Title I[illegible: 1 letter]rael be comfort to the best, the appellation given to the rest they were a rebellious Nation, is terror and menace as well as rebuke to the worst, and God intimates they were what they accounted the Gentiles to be, polluted, prophane and hated of God.

This was implyed in the former word, but thus expressely added to ascertain the charge, and to aggravate the crime of this people, who were from their fathers days to this very day rebelling against God. It was the glory of St. Paul he served God with pure Conscience, it is the shame of this Nation they have rebelled from their Fathers.

Their Fathers before them, and they with their Fathers, and all successively, God was provoked at once with two Generations of Rebels; Fathers who gave example, and Children which took it.

Marginal references: Heb. Nations:; Jer. 3.25.