Ezekiel 22

Chap. XXII. Ver. 1—31. The sin and punishment of Jerusalem recapitulated.—The corruption is stated to be universal, including all classes, princes, prophets, priests, and people; and the ruin is stated to be no less so. Those who conspire together to work wickedness must expect to be classed together in their sufferings, when God arises to execute judgment. The case of Judah appears in this instance to have been worse than that of Sodom, which was destroyed for the want of ten righteous: here were not half the number: ‘I sought for a man, (says God,) but I found none:” for the few faithful prophets who might have interposed were persecuted and imprisoned. Her punishment was also worse than that of Sodom, (Lamentations 4:6). For it is better to fall into the hand of God than into the hand of man. (See (2 Samuel 24:14).) “ How strong must the stream of human depravity be, when it can burst through so many powerful obstructions, and inundate even the city of God with such a torrent of horrible wickedness, as is in this chapter described!—We must not excuse, or scruple to expose, the crimes of men, because they live in ‘holy places,’ or occupy sacred functions: for when nominal Christians, or the clergy, become odious by their vices, the glory of God requires, that they should be made a reproach and a mocking even to the heathen: and if they be sheltered from deserved punishment and contempt, religion itself will be disgraced, or the sacred ministry despised; but their infamy and vexation show, that God will not connive at wickedness in persons of any name or station.—It is happy for mankind, that the power of ungodly men is limited: for they who perpetrate the most injustice and murder, would do still more were it ‘in their power.’ But while they greatly harass and afflict others, they destroy themselves.—The Lord notes the sins of men with all their aggravations: and as he will call them to account for their idolatries, murders, and outrageous cruelties: so he will not overlook the neglect and contempt shown by children to their parents; the oppression of those of other religions, nations, or complexions; the vexation of orphans and widows; the slanders by which characters and even lives are destroyed; the profanation of his wed sabbaths; the neglect of his ordinances, or hypocrisy in attending on them; the preference given by men to es own traditions and superstitions, above his truths and precepts; their multiplied violations of his holy law, in the gratification of their sensual appetites, and in every species of lewdness; or their bribery, extortion, and greediness of gain, however acquired.

It is very common for sinners secretly to indulge their worldly lusts; and to varnish it over with a zealous profession of religion, and a great attachment to some of its doctrines or observances: and thus they impose on themselves, or on others; and perhaps exclaim against those who warn them of their danger, as precise or over rigorous. But can ‘their hearts endure, or their hands be strong, in the day that God shall deal with them,’ as he has spoken?’— T. Scott.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXII. Ver. 2. Wilt thou judge.—See (Ezekiel 20:4).: Ver. 3. That her time may come—That is, her idolatries will be sure to hasten her destruction, as in the next verse. Ver. 5. Infamous, &c.—Newcome, * Whose name is defiled, and (was art) much troubled.”: Ver. 6. To their power—That is, to the utmost of their power. Ver. 10. Uncovered, &c.—That is, “By defiling his wife.””—Newcome, Ver. 13. I have smitten my hand —Scott chap. xxi. ee Ver. 16. And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyselfi—Newcome, “I will be profaned of thee in the sight,” &c. So margin. Ver. 18. Become dross, &c.—See (Jeremiah 6:23-30). Ver. 19. Jerusalem.—[(Jerusalem is here represented as the melting pot; all the people, who had become dross, are to be gathered together in it; and the fire of the Chaldeans, blown by the wrath of God, is to melt the whole.

No ordinary means will avail to purge their impurities; the most violent must therefore be resorted to. |—Bagster. Ver. 24. Unto her—That is, Jerusalem. Ver. 25. Ravening the prey.—(That is, from the Saxon reafian, seizing and devouring it with eagerness and rapacity. |— Bagster. Ver. 26. Her it ae (Zephaniah 3:4).. Ver. 28. Dawbed them.—{The prophets employed all their ingenuity to varnish over the crimes of the princes, (the antecedent to them,) to palliate their offences, and to conceal their faults, while they were like ravening wolves, and took bribes to shed innocent blood. By these means they shared the dishonest gains with the princes, or availed themselves of their authority to gratify their avarice, or revenge.]—Bagster.

Compare (Ezekiel 13:10-12). Ver. 30. Sought HH a man.—(God, speaking after the manner of men, sought for some Moses, Phinehas, or Samuel, to stand in the gap on this occasion; but as he found none, its destruction was inevitable. }—Bagster.—— Make up the hedge.—See (Jeremiah 5:1). and (Ezekiel 13:5).