Ezekiel 14

Ezekiel 14:1

CErtain of] Chap. 20. 1.

elders of Israel] Namely, of the heads of the people that were in Babylon.

sat before me] He sheweth the hypocrisie of the idolaters, who will dissemble to hear the Prophets of God, though in their hearts they follow nothing lesse then their admonitions: and also how by one meanes o other, God doth discover them.

Ezekiel 14:3

idols] The word signifies dung: such are idols, base things, or dunghill deities: and as dung offends a mans eyes and nose, so do idols offend God; yet idolaters will make their hearts temples for them.

put the stumbling-block] They are not onely idolaters in heart, but also worship their filthy idols openly, seeking out objects and baits fitting to nourish and kindle that wicked inclination to idolatry, and catching occasion to fulfill it. See Zephaniah 1:3. Or they themselves, by their sinnes, will be the causers of their own ruine, Chap. 18. 30.

should I be enquired of at all by them] Being such, is it not a meere hypocrisie and scoffe in them, to come to me to ask for help and counsell, in their distresse, seeing their hearts are separate from me, and being the onely causers of the evils which they suffer? Other say, and shall I answer them when they seek me?

Ezekiel 14:4

prophet] To enquire of things which the Lord hath appointed to come to passe.

according to the multitude of his idols] As his abomination hath deserved, that is, he shall be led with lies according as lie delighted therein, 2 Thessalonians 2:10. Others, his idols shall not shut up or close my mouth, but they shall rather open it to denounce the sentence of punishment against him.

Ezekiel 14:5

That I may take] That is, my answers shall be like so many snares to their consciences convinced by my word, and thereby will I keep them, as it were, shut up in expectation and fear of my unavoydable judgements. Or, I will give them over to the delusion of their own hearts, as their idols leade them, 2 Thess. 2. 11.

Ezekiel 14:6

your selves] Or, others.

Ezekiel 14:7

separateth himself] Like unto a harlot that separateth her self from her huband: see Hosea 4:14. & Hosea 9:10.

by my self] Not according to his design that asketh the question, nor according to the Prophets judgement: but according to my most holy truth and justice.

Ezekiel 14:8

set my face] Lev. 17. 10.

a signe and a proverbe] Deuteronomy 28:37. Chap. 5. 15. Namely, for a spectacle of my judgements, of whom every body shall speake.

Ezekiel 14:9

if the prophet be deceived] The Prophet declareth that God for mans ingratitude raiseth up false prophets to seduce them that delight in lies rather then in the truth of God; and thus he punisheth sinne by sinne, 1 Kings 22:20. 22. d destroyeth as well those prophets as that people, vers. 10. See Job 12 16 Jer. 4 10. 2 Thess. 2. 11.

have deceived that prophet] 1 Kings 22:23.

I will stretch out mine hand] Though he doth but what I by my secret providence have suffered him to do, yet will I punish him, because he sinneth against my law, which is the rule of humane actions.

Ezekiel 14:11

Israel may go no more astray] Thus Gods judgements against the wicked, are admonitions to the godly, to cleave unto the Lord, and not to defile themselves with the like abominations.

Ezekiel 14:13

land sinneth] The meaning is, when I have resolved to punish a land with some kind of scourge, I will not forbear to do it for any manner of intercession: how much lesse then can I be appeased now who have decreed a generall punishment of all manner of evils to fall upon Jerusalem for their extreme sunnes? Jeremiah 7:16. & Jeremiah 11:14. & Jeremiah 14:11.

then will I stretch] Or, and I stretch.

and will break] Or, and break.

staffe of bread] Leviticus 26:26. Chap. 4. 16. & 5. 16. Isaiah 3:1.

and will send] Or, and send.

and will cut] Or, and cut.

Ezekiel 14:14

Though these three men] Jeremiah 15:1.

Noah, Daniel, and Job] Though Noah and Job were now alive, which in their time were most godly men, (for at this time Daniel was in captivitie with Ezekiel) and so these three together should pray for this wicked people, yet would I not hear them: read Jeremiah 15:1.

righteousnesse] Meaning, that a very few (which he calleth a remnant, vers. 22.) should escape these plagues, whom God hath sanctified and made righteous: so that this righteousnesse is a signe that they are the Church of God, whom he would preserve for his own sake.

Ezekiel 14:15

spoil it] Or, bereave.

Ezekiel 14:16

in it] Heb. in the midst of it.

Ezekiel 14:19

bloud] That is, by some great slaughter.

Ezekiel 14:21

For thus] Or, Therefore thus. That is, I do alledge all these examples of particular scourges to conclude, that I shall much lesse be entreated when I shall resolve to joyn them all together, for a deluge of evils, which are brought to the height.

How much more] Or, Also when.

foure sore judgements] Chap. 5. 17.

Ezekiel 14:22

a remnant] Read Chap. 5. 3.

come forth unto you] Within a very short time they shall be brought hither to Babylon into captivitie like as you are.

comforted concerning the evil] When ye shall know their grievous sinnes, you will have cause to acknowledge Gods justice, and strengthen your selves against the scandall of this destruction, and give glory to God.