Ezekiel 14
DOYLY— and will break the staff of the bread thereof,] See chap. iv. 16. 14. Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, Daniel was then in captivity; he was taken in the third year of Jehoiakim, Dan. i. 1; after this, Jehoiakim reigned eight years, 2 Kings xxiii. 36; and this prophecy, as appears from chap. viii. 1, was uttered in the sixth year of Jehoiachin’s captivity, who succeeded Jehoiakim, and reigned only three months, 2 Kings xxiv. 6. 8; therefore at this time Daniel had been fourteen years in captivity, and was little more than thirty years of age. It is observable how early the fame of his piety had spread over Chaldea. Abp. Newcome, W. Lowth. All these persons were eminent for their piety. Noah and his family were saved from the universal deluge, and obtained a promise from the Most High, that He would never again destroy the world by an inundation of water. Daniel interceded with the Almighty for the whole nation of the Jews, and obtained a promise of their restoration, Dan. ix. And Job was appointed by God Himself to make intercession for his three friends. daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.
&c.] The vine is a noble plant in respect to the fruit it bears; but in regard of its wood, no shrub is so mean; it is so far from affording any useful timber, that not even a pin can be made from it, on which any vessel may be hung. Lo, such is Israel! if it bore good fruit, it would be dear and precious to me, but in itself it is but mean and base in comparison of other nations, and unfit for any service: it is only meet to be cast into the fire for fuel. Bp. Holt. The chief excellence of a parable is, that it contains an image, which is known and proper to the subject, and the use of which was plain, and determined by custom: the necessary consequence of which is perspicuity, wherein the chief beauty of an allegory consists. The Prophets frequently make use of these kinds of images by way of comparison or illustration: and such is this of the useless vine, by which these ungrateful people are more than once described. Bp. Lowth. God; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 14:4
- Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel:] Wood is very rare in the East: they are reduced therefore to adopt twigs, leaves, &c. Amongst these D’Arvieux notices vine twigs as used for the purpose of fuel. Fragments to Culmet. — the fire devoureth both the ends of it, &c.] A fit representation of the present state of Judea, when both its extremities were consumed by the ravages of a foreign enemy, and the midst of it, where the capital city stood, is ready to be destroyed; just as a fire spreads toward the middle part of a stick when both ends of it are lighted. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 14:7
- — another fire shall devour them:] Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem were destroyed in their own country, and others in Egypt. Abp. Newcome. How dreadful the effects of the raging element of fire are in desouring and consuming any combustible matter on which it seizeth, is a thing so well known, that to compare any thing and the effects of it thereto, is the strongest expression of extensive mischief, and utter destruction, that can be used; see Amos i. 4; Jer. vii. 20. Dr. E. Pocock. Chap. XVI. ver. 2. — cause Jerusalem to know her abominations.] Declare to them that are with thee, and to them that are at Jerusalem; to these declare by letter, to those by word of mouth, what state was theirs in their infancy, what I did for them, namely, for the whole nation of the Jews. Poole. 3. — Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; &c.] Jerusalem is here represented under the image of an exposed infant, whom God preserved from destruction, brought up, espoused, and exalted to sovereignty: but she proved faithless and abandoned; and therefore God threatens her with severe vengeance, but graciously promises that hereafter He will fulfil his easily covenant with her. The allegory is easily under-
Ezekiel 14:21
- — How much more when I send my four &c.] How much more should there be an utter destruction, when I send, &c. &c. W. Lowth. If it is just with respect to other countries that the good alone should escape punishment, how much more with respect to Jerusalem, after such repeated instructions and admonitions? Abp. Newcome.
Ezekiel 14:22
- Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant] Notwithstanding these four sore judgments, some shall escape and be brought into Chaldea to be your companions in captivity; compare chap. vi. 8; Jer. lii. 29, 30. W. Lowth. — both sons and daughters:] See ver. 16. 18. 20, of this chapter. — and ye shall see their way and their doings:] Ye shall be made sensible of their guilt and reformation. Abp. Newcome. Those very persons whom I have reserved from destruction, and who shall come here into captivity with you, shall suffice to justify my rigour; you shall witness what their conduct is, and shall acknowledge that destruction has been justly brought upon a nation so perverse and so corrupted. Calmet, Bp. Hall.
Ezekiel 14:23
- And they shall comfort you,] This will compose Before CHRIST about 594. Or, Also when. By the unfitness of the vine branch, EZEKIEL. is shewed the destruction of Jerusalem. Before CHRIST about 594. when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord God. # CHAP. XV.