Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 20:4

4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers.

Either wilt thou judge charitably, and supposing they are upright, and teachable wilt thou plead with me for them, as chap. 14.3. or as Ier. 14.9. or else thus, wilt thou argue with them, convince them, and reprove them? This is fittest to be done, and do this, handle them severely as they deserve.

'Tis repeated to whet the Prophet, and quicken him to this work, and to intimate to us the great contumacy of the people.

Tell them somewhat that they may go away wiser then they came.

They expect to know what will be their fate, tell them what hath been their fathers carriage towards me, which they imitate, nay exceed. Their curiosity, and perlexity would be informed what is to come, but their consciences need more to be informed; what their Fathers have done, they approved, and outdone, by that let them know what to do, what to expect.

Marginal references: chap. 22.2. and 23.36.; Or, plead for them.; chap. 22.2. and 23.36.