Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 24

1 AGain in the ninth year , in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Of the Captivity of Iechoniah and those that were carried away with him, it falls in also with the year of Zedekiah's Reign, though the Prophet, and the Captives now in Babylon reckon not by this, but by the former.

Which answers to part of December, and Ianuary.

About our 29th of December, when the Winter was well over with them.

The Prophet was now in Babylon many Leagues from Jerusalem.

2 Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the King of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.

Set it down, and in such manner with such witness, that it may be proved.

Most punctually, set it down.

Nebuchadnezzar who in person, 'tis like was there at first to encourage, direct, and settle the Siege, though he withdrew from it for his delights, when he perceived 'twould be a long siege; as on chap. 11.11. let. d. the issue whereof he expected at Antioch on the Banks of Orontes.

Sate down to besiege.

Marginal references: Jer. 52 [illegible: 2 letters]

3 And utter a parable to the rebellious house, and say unto them, thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it.

In somewhat a dark yet apt similitude, or in an Allegory declare what they should know, and consider.

Chap. 2. verse 3.6.

Set upon the fire a Pot, or Cauldron.

Do it quickly, be sure to do it; this Pot▪ is Ierusalem.

Fill it with water; for as the Pot full of Water, on the fire till the water be throughly heated, so shall Ierusalem be filled with the Judgments of God.

Marginal references: Jer. 1.[illegible: 2 letters] chap. 11.[illegible: 1 letter] ▪

4 Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder , fill it with the choice bones .

Which are to put into this pot.

i. e. All the chief of the Inhabitants of the Land, the wealthiest, who in the time of this Invasion will fly from their Country Houses to live in safety in Ierusalem. The most warlike, who will betake themselves to Ierusalem for its defence.

As these are the principal parts for support, motion, defence, and strength, so those Citizens, Souldiers, Rulers, that are strength, defence, and glory of this people are here signified by those parts▪

Fill the Pot, Ierusalem, let no place be empty.

With those pieces, that are biggest, fattest, fullest of marrow, and which are divided according to the Bones; these are the principal Members of this Jewish State, King, Princes, Priests, Magistrates, and wealthy Citizens.

5 Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it, and make it boil well, and let them seethe the bones of it therein.

Pick out the very best in the flock, that is, the greatest, richest, most powerful for Authority, and Interest in the Nation, and City,

Or, heap together, in order to burn, to make a fire with.

The Bones, not of the pieces to be boiled, but the bones of the many Innocents murthered in Ierusalem, and in the Land, for their blood cryeth for vengeance, and their bones scattered on the face of the Earth, will both make, and maintain this fire.

Let the Fire be so great, and the Pot so long over, till all within it be boiled thoroughly, till boiled that all the strength and marrow be wasted, and the very flesh drop to pieces, so shall this people be wasted by this Judgment.

See ver. 4. let. s. this is doubled to assure us, however the meaner sort did, the more considerable part of the Iews should not scape; in this Allegory there may lie coucht an exact correspondence between the sins, and punishments of this people; Their sin was the slaying the best, or by oppressing them, broke their bones, boiled out the marrow, suckt them dry, and now God will retaliate to these men.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word].

6 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Wo to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it; bring it out piece by piece ; let no lot fall upon it.

All this Allegory contains woful, and heavy tydings, misery and desolation to them that are represented by it.

Chap. 22.2, 3. Ierusalem, which is this Pot.

Filthiness, her abominations, all her lewdness are still within her, they have not been punisht, restrain'd, or cast out by the Execution of just, and good Laws; but the Citizens have with obstinacy, impenitence, and with impudence continued in them.

The same thing repeated for confirming what was said.

Let them know, it shall be a lingring destruction to them, yet a total, one piece after another, till all be consumed.

Lots are for saving some, and determining who they shall be, but here shall no such discrimination be made, no sparing any, and slaying others by lot, who do not dye, shall go into Captivity.

7 For her blood is in the midst of her: she set it upon the top of a rock ; she poured it not upon the ground to cover it with dust:

Innocent blood which she hath shed.

Openly, and publickly without fear, or shame, or reluctancy.

Where it might be long seen cared not to hide her Murthers as the next words clear it.

With cruelty, and inhumanity they did murther, for when the Law directed, that the Blood of Beast or Fowl kill'd should be poured on the Earth, and covered with dust, Lev. 17.13. these Butchers of Innocent ones leave their blood uncovered, whether in boasting manner, or for terrour, I will not say, but this aggravates the sin.

8 That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance , I have set her blood upon the top of a rock that it should not be covered .

This provoked the Anger of the Lord, and raised his fury against them.

Into the face of God, (after the manner o[illegible: 1 letter] man) as Ezek. 38.18.

To God it appertains to take vengeance, to punish such sinners according to the nature of their sin.

God will openly punish, and in such manner, as shall not be soon forgotten, they set it on a rock, when they shed it with cruelty, God will set it on a rock, when he punisheth it with severity.

That it be not forgotten or go unpunished.

Nor yet punisht in a corner; All this Inquisition, and Execution shall be publick in the sight of many Nations.

9 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD ; Wo to the bloody city: I will even make the pile for fire great.

Verse 6. let. a.

God's hand shall be seen inflicting all those sore Afflictions on them.

Judgements are a fire, the Fuel whereof is to be great; for 'tis a fire to consume the wicked, and God will make it sufficiently great to do this, I will bring the mighty Army of the Chaldaeans which as a pile of wood set on fire, shall burn them up.

Marginal references: Nah. 3.1. [illegible: 1 word]. 2.12.

10 Heap on wood ; kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burnt .

Either God's word, what he will do pursuant of the 8th verse, or his word to the Prophet to typifie to the people what should be done, or to the Chaldaean Army to hasten what they were to do in destroying the City.

Make full preparations.

Begin the Execution of Judgment.

'Tis a fire, not gently to dress or prepare Meat, but to destroy, and burn up.

Either to take away the noisom smell, or to express the pleasing savour of this Justice to God, and men whom he appointed to this work.

In such fires the bones hold out longest, but this fire shall at last consume these also, that the destruction may be universal, the greatest, strongest, and firmest of these Jews shall perish in this fiery indignation.

11 Then set it empty upon the coales thereof, that the brass of it may be hot , and may burn , and that the filthiness of it maybe molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed.

The Hieroglyphick Pot.

The Water, Flesh▪ Bones all consumed, i. e. the Citizens all wasted with Sword. Famine, or Pestilence, the City left as an empty overboil'd Pot.

Signifying the burning of the City it self, after the emptying of its Inhabitants.

Perhaps he alludes to the impudence of their sins, in that the City is likened to a Pot of Brass.

God's Judgments would increase upon them, as heat doth in a Pot set on Coals.

Which is the highest Degree, so should these miseries increase.

Type of the sinfulness, the unreformed sinfulness of the City.

That their wickedness may be taken away with their Persons, and Citie, they should have been purged by gentler meltings, which God used since they were not, nor would be purified, now they shall be melted to the utter destruction of them.

Vide verse 6. let. c.

12 She hath wearied her self with lies , and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire.

The Nation of the Jews, and the City Ierusalem.

Either her So the French Transl. God by her repeated sins, and pertinacy in them as elsewhere. Isa. 1.14. and 7.13. and 43.24. or wearied others by injuries done against them; or, as we read it, her self, spent much time, and taken great pains, laid out much treasure in making alliances for her security.

Her Allies, their Promises, their Forces, and their Idols, on which these unhappy Jews relyed, all prove a lie to the house of Iudah.

She repented not, nor did she reform her wayes.

Her unrepented sins,

shall be punisht in the fire that burns their City.

Marginal references: So the French Transl.

13 In thy filthiness is lewdness : because I have purged thee, and tho wast not purged , thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.

In thy sinning.

Deliberate resolution grown up to obstinacy, and boldness, with impudence that will not be corrected.

Used all sorts of proper means to purge, advice, reproof, chastisements, threats of sorer sufferings, by Prophets, by the Rod, sometimes gentler, sometimes rougher, 2 Chron. 36.15. Ier. 18.11, 12.

Wouldst not part from thy sins, and purifie thy heart, and waies. Ier. 25.3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

All farther use of means shall be forborn; I'le preach no more by Prophets to call thee to Repentance, but to condemn thee for not repenting; God will from henceforth refer them to his sore destroying Judgments, which are his fury, and which shall cease, when this sinful Kingdom destroyed can no longer provoke God, as they had done formerly.

See chap. 5.13. and chap. 16.42. and 21.17. and chap. 6.12.

14 I the LORD have spoken it; it shall come to passe, and I will do it; I will not go back , neither will I spare , neither will I repent. According to thy wayes , and according to thy doings shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.

This is Ezekiel's saying, Nay, 'tis the Lord that hath spoken it.

But perhaps it may not be, ye[illegible: 1 letter], but it shall; for I will do it, who have spoken it.

But God hath relaxed, as in Nineveh's case, but he will not go back from this word.

But he will be merciful in the midst of Judgment; Nay, but God, will not spare, or mitigate his wrath.

Yet e're all are consumed, will he not as Amos 7.3? No, he will not repent, your burnt Flesh and City shall be a spiced Sacrifice pleasing to his Justice.

Finally, as thou deservest, God will use thee, but then we shall be in his hand.

Finally, as thou deservest, God will use thee, but then we shall be in his hand.

Nay they, thy inveterate Enemies shall judge thee.

This Verse scarce hath its like I think in the Book of God; so fully doth it ratifie and confirm all, and prevents all their evasions.

Marginal references: chap. 5.11.

16 Son of man, behold , I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke : yet neither shalt thou mourn , nor weep , neither shall thy tears run down.

Consider what I tell, and will do.

By Death I take from thee, but 'tis I the Lord, and I take her to my self, though from thee.

Whether it refer to the beauty of her person, or no, it certainly refers to the amiableness of her disposition, and the agreeablene[illegible: 1 letter] of her to the Prophet.

A sudden stroke, whether Pestilence, or what else is not so much as hinted at, I think it was God's own immediate hand.

Make no solemn mourning for her, though it will look only in the sight of thy people.

Let no lamenting voice be heard from thee, cry not out in bewailing thy loss.

Neither let thy eyes pay any tribute to her, forbear even tears also, at least, let them not run down, if one chance to drop, check the rest.

Marginal references: Heb. g[illegible: 1 letter] ▪

17 Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet , and cover not thy lips , and eat not the bread of men .

Refrain, and curb thy sorrows, neither sigh, or lament.

When thou carriest her out to Burial, make no mourning for her.

Adorn, and trim up thy head, as thou wast used to do; go not bare-headed, as Lev. 10.6. and 21.10. a Mourner.

In great Mournings the Jews went bare-footed, 2 Sam. 15.30. and Isa. 47.2. but do not thou so, put on thy shoes.

'Twas a custom among them to cover, either the upper lip, or mustac[illegible: 1 letter]ce, as Lev. 13.45. the Leper did, and Mich. 3.7. and this also is forbidden the Prophet.

Either of Mourners, or, rather of thy Neighbours, and Friends who were wont to visit, and feast their mourning Friends, and sent in both choice, and, abundance of provision to their Houses, Ier. 16.7. and this was a custom with Scythians, Graecians, Athenians, and Romans. Eat thou thine own, as if no mourning occasion in thy Family.

Marginal references: Heb. be silent.; Heb. upper lip.; Or, sorrowful men.

18 So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

Told them what God had told me▪ and which I expected would be.

'Tis likely he had this Revelation in the night, or evening before, and he tells them betimes in the morning, what God would do in taking away his Wife, and what he must not do when she is dead, and to be buried.

The next morning after her death he observed God's Command, and without any sign of sorrow, or mourning for his great loss.

19 And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?

Some of the ordinary sort, the People, not Rulers, or Priests.

Explain, and declare whether there be not, and what it is that we are to learn by this: These are Types, but what do they mean?

21 Speak unto the house of Israel , Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold I will prophane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength , the desire of your eyes , and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.

Now he is commission'd to declare the meaning of that he did.

To them at Babylon by word of mouth, but to them at Ierusalem by Letter, or Messenger.

Cast off, and put into the hands of Heathens, who will regard it no more, than any other common Building, though 'tis, and hath been long my Sanctuary, but you, O Jews! first profaned it with your sins, and now in my just displeasure against you, I will suffer it to be prophaned by the Cha[illegible: 1 letter]daeans.

So 'twas whilst God's presence was there, and whilst the Iews kept it undefiled, it was their confidence, and they, trusted in it, though they were fallen from God, Ier. 7.8.

As much your desire, as my Wife was mine, saith the Prophet, most dear to you, as she to me, but this shall be burnt.

The Children, which survive to you after these grievous Calamities, and in whom you hoped for comfort, and posterity shall die by the Conquerors Sword too. chap. 23.47.

Marginal references: Heb. the pity of your soul.

22 And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips , nor eat the bread of men .

When you are in Captivity, where you cannot, may not use your own Customs, and Rites on these, or any other occasions.

See verse 17. let. k.

See verse 17. let. n.

Marginal references: Jer. 16.6, 7.

23 And your tires shall be upon your heads , and your shoes upon your feet : ye shall not mourn , nor weep ; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities , and mourn one towards another.

Verse 17. let. r.

Verse 17. let. s.

Vide verse 16. let. m.

Vide 16. let. n.

You shall languish with grief, and secret sorrow, when you shall not dare to shew it openly, lest you irritate your Tyrannical Masters, who will expect that nothing grieve you, that reioyceth them.

The Punishment of your Iniquities, which have made your Land, City, Temple, and Families desolate, and miserable.

In secret, Jew with Jew you shall bewail, what you durst not openly.

Marginal references: Lev. 26.39. chap. 33.10.

24 Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign ; according to all that he hath done, shall ye do: and when this cometh , ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

In what he doth you may see what you shall do, se chap. 4. ver. 3, and 12, chap. 6. And so was Isa. chap. 8.18.

When your Necessities, and Enemies shall force you to do as I have done, make you write after this Copy.

Confess the Justice, Power, Wisdom, and Truth of God in all threatned, and executed against you.

25 Also thou Son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters;

The question is to be resolved affirmatively, it shall be.

In the day of the taking the City of Ierusalem.

Though Nebuchadnezzar was the means, or instrument God did act by him, who did God's work more than his own.

The Kingdom dissolved, the King taken, City sack't, the Temple burnt, which is by the following characters described, as the only thing they valued. Though those particulars may be applyed to Sons, and Daughters in the close of the verse: However, it amounts to this in that Day, wherein all their publick and private joys and hopes shall be destroyed in the destruction of the Kingdom, and their Children, one that escapeth shall bring the News to the Prophet.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 span] soul.

26 That he that escapeth in that day, shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears?

So few escape, that the Prophet seems to confine it to one.

The common destruction when Ier[illegible: 1 letter]salem was sackt.

Purposely to declare how God ha[illegible: 1 letter]h made good his threats.

To give thee a Narrative of all he had seen, and observed; and this particular prediction, which I doubt not Ezekiel imparted to many, who might see it fulfilled, was accomplished in the twelfth year, tenth month, and fifth day of the month, Ezek. 33.21. with Ier. 52.6. after the City was taken, (which happened in the eleventh year, and fourth moneth, ninth day of Zedekiah's Reign, and Ieconiah's Captivity) one whole year, five months, and twenty four dayes.

27 In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb : and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

To speak freely to him, that brings the news, and to the Jews afterward.

From this prophesie for eighteen months during the siege he doth not prophesie of Israel, but of other Nations.

Until the event, confirmed by eye-witness, shall convince the Iews, thou shalt by sign signifie to them, what is coming, and when 'tis come, to pass according to thy word, they shall confess thou wert a true Prophet sent of me, and they shall see that I am the Lord.