Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 5

1 AND thou Son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barbors rasor, and cause it to pass upon thy head, and upon thy beard, then take thee balances to weigh and divide the hair.

It is not unlikely that this command was given to the Prophet, so soon as he had understood the former chapters vision.

Vid. chap. 2.1.

Procure it by any means.

A Sword or Knife very sharp, as Heb. so the grievous judgment is exprest, chap. 21.9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16. and here the speedy, irresistible, and sweeping judgment against this people is ap[illegible: 1 letter]ly set forth.

This in different words is the same thing, and explains the former, and makes the Emblem more exact, for by hair shaved and destroyed is the destruction of Ierusalem, and its people represented to us. Now that this may appear in the certainty of it, both a Sword for strength, and sharp for cutting, nay, a Rasor much sharper, that shaves close, leaves nothing behind it and cannot be resisted by the weak hair, so shall it be here with this people.

A Hebraism, shave close with it.

The Chief as King, and Rulers, the City.

The common Citizens. Or, The Towns round about.

Just and exact scales, an emblem of Divine Justice and Equity.

The Prophets weighing represents God weighing these men and their ways.

These light vain and worthless ones, inhabitants of this sinful City, 2 Sam. 10.4, 5. Ier. 41.5. and 48.37. Thus foretell them their mourning, reproach, and deformity that is coming, for all this is signified by this shaving head and beard.

Marginal references: Isa. 7.20.

2 Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the City, when the days of the siege are fulfilled, and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife, and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind, and I will draw out a sword after them.

So either Pestilence, or Famine with the displeasure of God, and the burning of the City, and of the Citizens is noted out.

Described on the Tile, chap. 4.1. a Type of what should be done in Ierusalem.

When the 390 days of thy lying against the Pourtrai'd City shall be ended, for when Ierusalem shall be taken at the end of the siege, the City shall be burnt, and who can say that none of the Inhabitants were burnt, as the two false Prophets Ahab and Zedekiah, Ier. 29.22? To be sure many that hid themselves under ground, in Vaults and Cellars, were burnt with the burning of the City.

'Tis not necessary this part should be equal to the former, if it be proportional 'tis enough, perhaps it might be somewhat less then the first third.

For these were such as fell, in either defending the Walls or sallying out during the siege, or were found in Arms when the City was taken, or were overtaken in their flight▪ with their most unhappy King, or by Law Martial were adjudged to die by the Conquerour, these many yet weak ones, Women and Children which died in the siege by Famine and Pestilence might be a greater third.

Those that fell to the Chald[illegible: 1 letter]ans, or [illegible: 1 letter]led to Egypt, or other Countreys though they scape somewhat longer, yet carrying like sins are at last overtaken with like evils.

Though these disposed of themselves, yet there was Gods hand also in it, he scattered those that of their own accord did [illegible: 1 letter]ly.

Violent, uncertain, and troublesome should their Enemies prove to them.

God will pursue them.

Figuratively 'tis wasting punishment, literally 'twas fulfilled, Ier. 42.16, 17, 22. and 43.10, 11. and 44.27.

This verse tells you into how many parts the hair was to be divided, and how to be disposed of, and so plain it needs little explication.

3 Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.

i. e. Of the last third which were to be dispersed.

O[illegible: 1 letter] small quantity.

Or by number as it may be read, tell out a small parcel of the Hair.

As men tye up in handkerchief, or in the skirt of their garment what they would not lose. So some few shall be kept, God will not cut off the whole house of Israel, but reserves a remnant.

Marginal references: Heb. wings.

4 Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire, for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

Another division make of that little little number, the preserved remnant

Throw some of them into the Fire, they are not all to be saved, who are delivered at the end of the siege.

Literally burn the Hair, but signifie the burning them that are meant by it.

Of Gods displeasure, and of Civil War or private conspiracy, as in Ismael against Gedaliah, [illegible: 1 letter]er. 40.41.42, 43.

From their sin against God, their discontents at their state, and conspiracies against their Governour, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, evil like another Fire shall break out which shall devour the most, and be near consuming all the House of Israel, as happened to them after Gedaliah's death, and their going down to Egypt, as Ier. 40.41.42.43.44.4[illegible: 1 letter]. under Iohanans revolt, which the Chaldaean did revenge at last.

5 ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD, This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countreys that are round about her.

This solemn declaration in Gods name, the Prophet useth by express order chap. 3.11.

This pourtrayed City.

Is Typically Ierusalem, and her Inhabitants.

Placed her in a most delightful scituation, chose out the best part of the known World for her.

In a Neighbourhood, to most rich and plenteous Countries, with whom she might have convers'd and spread forth my name.

Either as Servants about a Mistress. Or, as meaner Houses about the Palace or Mannour of a Lord. Or, as Traders about an Empory, much to advantage of Ierusalem.

6 And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more then the nations, and my statutes more then the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes they have not walked in them.

Ierusalem the Metropolis, where the Temple and the solemn Feasts and Sacrifices were, which in likelihood was forwardest, fullest, and most expensive on other invented modes of Worship, she who was most obliged to me.

The Heb. includes a Rebellion and contumacy; and these were cause of her changing, as Rebels change the Laws of a Kingdom.

The Laws of Holy, Righteous, and Sober living; the exact rules of manners.

Improbity, and injustice toward each other, and impiety and irreligion against God himself.

There is more honesty, truth, and righteousness among the Nations then among the Jews.

The Precepts and Rules of Religious observances which I gave them, they have less valued, been less constant to, then the Nations have been to theirs, received from men and invented by man. So Ier. 2.9, 10, 11.

The Jews.

With scorn and abhorrence as what their mind abominated. So vile were they grown, that they loathed the excellent Law of God, and were weary of it, as Heb. implieth.

As for my Statutes in matters of Religion, they have refused to walk in them, and have modelled Religion to their own fancy, built Altars, adopted new Gods, and appointed new Worship more gay or easie as their humor was.

7 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Because ye multiplied more then the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you.

There is some difficulty in assigning what 'tis they multiplied in, either numbers of People, benefits received from God, Luxury, Pride, Tumultuousness, with increase of your Riches. Or, in Idols, superstitions, and appendant wickednesses, this last seems most agreeable with the Text, the rest may not be excluded.

See ver. 6.

See ver. 6.

While you have exceeded the Nations in Superstition and Idolatry, you have fallen short of them in the moralities of their Life, and done less good, then they taught by a far more imperfect Law, then you, Rom. 2.21, 22, 24.

8 Therefore, thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I even I am against thee, and will execute judgements in the midst of thee, in the [illegible: 1 letter]ight of the nations.

It is very just what God doth, he hath cause more then enough given him to do so.

Take notice and consider me, not as now for you but against you, you look to the instruments, to the rod, but behold, I am even I am against you, against thee O Ierusalem.

I will act in severities that shall convince you 'tis my hand that weilds the Sword, you despised my Holy Law, my Judgments rule of Life, but you shall now feel my judgments that you shall die under. The Chaldaeans will kill you, but I condemn you. They'l be cruel but I'le be just in the execution, and who can be for thee when I will be against thee▪ in this dreadful manner?

As notorious as thy sins so shall thy punishment be. The very Heathen shall see my hand in it and own my justice.

9 And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations .

Though the old World perisht by Water and the Judgment was greater in its extent, and Sodom destroyed by Fire, yet neither one or other was so lingring a death. These poor Jews were long dying and felt themselves dying. Read the Lamentations as Commentary on this Text▪ or Iosephus Wars of the Jews. Though in the Siege of Samaria Women Eat their Children, yet the City was not taken, sackt and burnt as Ierusalem was after a long siege.

No doubt God keeps his word though we should not be able to shew how. And though the siege of Ierusalem under Vespasian was grievous, yet not in every thing equal with this, the Romans were not so cruel to the Jews.

Their sins were abominations, and God delivers them into the hands of men that did hate, loath, and abhor the Jews so much that they thought they could not be cruel enough against them.

10 Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat the fathers, and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.

And this explains what is above threatned.

No History that I know of that does mention any thing like this, barbarous Indians fell one another, and some report (as I take it) that Children among them unnaturally murther aged Parents, but they eat them not.

It may intimate their doing this publickly.

This was verified when ye were fetcht away, who were left at the departure of the Besiegers, and when the very small remnant with Iohanan fled into Egypt.

Marginal references: Lev. 26.29. Deut. 28.53. 2 King. 6.29. Jer. 19.9. Lam. 2 20.4.10 Ba[illegible: 1 letter]. 2.3.

11 Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thy abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee, neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have pity .

A form of an Oath becoming none but the living God, used often in Scripture and in this Prophet.

Violated and profaned.

My Temple.

Not that all they did abominably was done in the Temple, but either because they never heeded how they were polluted, but with legal pollutions on them came to the Temple. Or, rather brought in their Idols, all their detestable counterfeit Gods, as Ier. 7.30. and in 2 Kings 16.10. and 23.12, 13. Their own Altars as Ahaz and Manasseh. All their Idolatry and Wickednesses expressed by two words of like Emphasis.

Lessen, break to pieces, cut up by the roots such stinking weeds.

There shall not be the least sign of pity in my eye, though I see all their misery.

Nor yet will I retain any affection of kindness for them, my Heart, as my Eye, shall be far from all pity and commiseration towards them.

Marginal references: Chap. 7.4.9. and 8.18.

12 ¶ A third part of thee shall die with pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee, and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee, and I will scatter a third part into all winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.

No doubt though 'twere not mentioned or threatned; as Ier. 34.17. we might conclude it could not but be in such a Besieged City, where blood, putrifying Carcasses, &c. annoy.

Signified by Fire for it parcheth and withereth men.

As they did in their assailing the Besiegers round about the Walls, and as they did fall under the assault, when the Enemy attempted to take the City, &c, See more ver. 2. of this chapter,

When the Babylonians Sword hath cut off all about Ierusalem. I will draw out my Sword and pursue the rest which Nebuchadnezzar could not reach.

From this to the end of the chapter we have a particular and more express declaration, how God would execute these severe Judgments upon this people.

Marginal references: See ver. 2. & Jer. 15.2.

13 Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

In this terrible and relentless manner already declared.

My provoked justice, not passion, shall be executed to the full of that I intend and have spoken.

After the manner of man is this spoken and implies the great and hot displeasure of the Lord.

My bowels were troubled how to spare, and yet to punish, but now I will rest from such struglings between my Mercy and my Justice, this shall be glorified and I will be at ease.

I did what in reason they could expect, and more then I was bound to, for their preservation; but nothing would prevail, Oh Israel, thou art destroyed, but tis my satisfaction thou hast destroyed thy self, and canst not charge it on me.

These ruined ones by sad experience shall know.

In that indignation against your sins, which the love of my own glory stirred up within me. In my provoked jealousie I spake, and will act against a persisting, perfidious and adulterous Wife, and it shall be known when I have finisht my work.

Marginal references: Isa. 1.24.

14 Moreover, I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by.

Judgments should empty the Land of Men that might till and Manure it, and so your fruitful Land shall be turned and continued a waste and desolate Land.

Ier. 24. And Ier. 29.22. a reproach or curse, men should taunt at them, and in wishing the worst they can wish their Enemies like the Jews. So twas Lam. 2.15, 16.

15 So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury, and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it.

See Verse 14.

A very Proverb among men.

Sinners like thee shall learn by thy miseries, what they may expect from me, and they shall acknowledge Divine Justice in all.

In highest degrees of severity.

I, who can do it because Almighty, who may do it because provoked, who will do it because they repented not, I have spoken and will do it, as Ier. 25.9.

Marginal references: Deut. 23.3[illegible: 1 letter].

16 When I shall send the evil arrow of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and break your staff of bread.

It is a messenger goes not till God sends, and ever goes when he sendeth, he sends cleanness of Teeth.

Either because Thunder, Tempests, Locusts, Blastings, &c. which cause Famine, are sent by him, and fly like Arrows. Or, because like Arrows shot forth they pierce deep and kill.

Is mortal, and destructive in its nature.

That it may be sure to destroy and attain that effect, I design it for that very end.

To make sure work against such I will increase the Famine, either by sweeping away the little supplies expected, or continuing it longer then ordinary. Or, I will summon in penury as an Army against you.

Withdraw the strengthning property of your Bread. See chap. 4.16.

Marginal references: Deut. 32.3[illegible: 1 letter].; Lev. 26.[illegible: 2 letters] Chap. 4.16. and 14.13.

17 So will I send upon you famine, and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee, and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee, and I will bring the sword upon thee: I the LORD have spoken it.

Evil Beast Heb. either the King of Babylon which like a ravenous and insatiable Beast tore and devoured all. Or, literally, Lions, Bears, &c. which are one of his four sore judgments, Ezek. 14.21.

Of your Children, Friends, and your own Life, when you fly to Mountains and Caves for fear of the Chaldees, where you seek your safety you shall find your death, and be torn to pieces.

Thy Land shall be the common Road and Highway for Pestilence and Blood, as the Heb. denotes, and they shall lodge in thy Cities in Ierusalem, as if they were the appointed receptacles for these guests. Here are the four sore Plagues which God wastes Nations with, all sent out against the Jews, and their Commission signed from Heaven with a witness, Our self. I have spoken it saith the Lord.

Marginal references: Lev. 26.[illegible: 2 letters]