Ezekiel 20

Some of the eldest of the pople come again unto prophet to ask counsel of God verse 1 God telleth by the prophet that he wil not tbe enquird of by them but setteh before them his great fore bearance and the continual obstinate idolatry of the fore fathers in Egypt 5 in the wilderness 13in Canaan 28 yet he promiseth to gather his people again and to restore them by the gospel 33 prophsying again under the name of the south forest of the destruction of Jerusalem andJuda 46 the Prophet complaineth of his being derided by his country men 49.

1. And it came to pass in the seventh year [to wit after carrying away of Jojachin compare above chap 1 on verse 2 and 8on verse 1]in the fifth month [see of this moneth Numb 33 on verse 38 .] on the tenth day of the same moneth that there came man of the eldest of Israel [see above chap 8 on verse 1.] to enquire of the Lord [to wit what event the people of the jews should have of all their troubles as well in Jerusalm and Judea as there in the land of Babylon ,and what they should do to escape the judgments wherewith they are threatened .How the Lord was enquired of ,see above chap 14 on verse 3 .] and they sat down before my face .

2. Then came the word of the Lord unto me saying:

3. Child of man speak unto the eldest of Israel and say unto them thus saith the Lord LORD do ye come to enquire of me ? as true as I live if I be enquired of by you saith the Lord LORD ! [that is I will not be enquired of by you see ofthis kind of oath Numb 14 on verse 23 .]

4. Shouldst thou give them judgment ,[Heb judge them .that is here intercede for them excuse maintain answer desend them so below chap 22.2 and 23.36 compare Genes 15 the annotate on verse 14 upon the word judging others wilt not thou judge them c that is judging punish them as followeth] shouldst thou give them judgments O child of man [he doubleth the speech to give the greater power and pmlieth that he no ways ought to intercede for them ,or to descend them compare Numb 17.12 Judg5.12,17.] acquainted them with the abominations of their fathers [to wit those which they had common with their fathers that they may perceive how deeply they are rooted in their wickedness and how long I have born with them in it.]

5. Say unto them thus saith the Lord LORD in the day when I chose Israel [that is ,declared that I had chosen them out of the people and nations of the earth that they might be a holy people unto me compare Deuteronomy 4:37 and 7.6 and 14.2 and 26 .18]then I lifted up mine hand unto the seed [that is posterity see Genes 9 on verse9 .] of the house of Jacob [that is I promised them and bound it with an oath that I would take them for mine own people .Genes 22.16 Exodus 6:7 lifting up of the hand for swearing .Itis spoken of God after the manner of men see Genes 14 on verse 22] and made myself known unto them into the land of Egypt [to wit by Moses and Aaron see Exod 3 and 4 c] yea I lifted up mine hand unto them saying I am the Lord your God.

6. In the same day I lifted up mine hand unto them that I should bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had spied out for them flowing with milk and honey [see Exo 3 on verse 8] which is the ornament of all lands so below verse 15 and chap 26.20 .See likewise of the glory of the land of Canaan, Deuteronomy 8:7 and 32.13 Psal 126.24.]

7. And I said unto them cast ye away every man the detestations of his eyes ,[so God calleth the images and all their wicked trumpery because they are loathsome in his sight and should be so in the sight of all man upon which not withstanding the Israelites did cast their eyes with great delight see 2Kings 18 on verse 32 2Chron 15 on verse 8]and defile not yourselves with the dung-gods of Egypt ;[which is done by setting them up for idolatry and by giving them inwardly or outwardly religious honor so below verse 30 and 31 and chap 23.7 and 36.25 iolatry is spiritual uncleanness compare Genes 35.2 and 2Chron 29.16 hence it iis also called fornication or adultery see Levit 17 on verse 7 the dung-gods of Egypt which were very abominable and ridiculous as calves ,crocodiles,apes,the bird Ibis , which they write to be a bird like a unto stock which devoureth serpents c] I the Lord am your God .

8. But they were rebellious against me and would not hearken unto me no man did cast away the etestations of his eyes [Heb everyone did not reject or did not cast away the detestations of their eyes .So in the following words no man or none of them meaning the greatest part did not see 1 Kings 11 on verse 34 .] neither did any forsake the dung-gods of Egypt therefore I said that I would pour out mine indignation upon them [see Psal 79 on vers 6] to accomplish mine anger against them [see above chap 7 on verse 8]in the midst of the land of Egypt .

9. But I did it [to wit that which I have done namely promising to deliver them out of the land of Egypt Genes 15.14 Exodus 3:8 compare below verse 14 and 22 .] for my names sake [that is not because they deserve it ,or were worthy ,but because I had promised it out of meer grace and mercy and would be found true in my word compare below chap 41.22 ,44 cDan 9.19 Romans 9:27,23 Ephesians 1:6]that it should not be profaned [see Levit 18 on verse 21 and below verse 21,24,39 and chap 39.7] before the eyes of the heathen in the midst of whom they were unto whom [namely the Israelites] I made myself known before their eyes [to wit te eyes of the heathen and and especially of the Egyptians that had seen all Gods wonderful works Exod 14 verse 18 Numb 33.3 .] to bring tem forth out of the land of Egypt .

10. And I carried them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness [which reacheth from thae red sea unto the borders of the land of Canaan.]

11. Ther [to wit of mount Sinai of which see Exod 19 on verse 1 see also Levit 7.38 also chap 25.1 and the annotate] I gave them my statutes made my judgments known unto them which a man do he shall live by them [see Levit 18 on verse 5 andDeut 6 on verse 25 Romans 10:5 Galatians 3:12 .]

12. Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths [seof this Word Levit 25 on verse 2 to be a token between me and between them [that is a ceremonial representation and signification of the spiritual and eternal Sabbath so below verse 20 also Exod 20 .8and 31.13 &c 35.2]that they may know that I am the Lord that hallow them that is of my free grace separate them fromother men that I may be their God and they may be my people which I purifie unto myself by the blood of Messiah and sanctify them by my word and spirit see Levit 20 on verse 8 and 21on verse8 .]

13. But the houseof Israel was rebellious against me in the wilderness they walked not in my statutes and rejected my judgment which if a man do he shall live in them and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned [to wit by doing therein that whichGod hath forbidden and leaving undone that which he hath commandeth] so that I said thati would pour out mine indignation upon them in the wilderness to destroy them.

14. But I did for my names sake [to wit that which I did unto them according to my gracious promise see above on verse 9 others I did it to wit in punishing them oftentimes when they murmured and sinned against me in the wilderness] that the same might not be profaned before the yes of those hathen before whose eyes I brought them out [to wit out of the land of Egypt as above on verse 6.]

15. Yet also I lifted up mine hand unto them [see above on verse 5] in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them flowing with milk and honey [see above on verse 6] whichis the ornament of all lands .

16. Because theyrejected my judgments and walked notn my statutes [or in my statutes walked not in them or and concerning my statutes walked not in them the meaning is one and the same] and profaned my Sabbaths for their heart walked after their dung-gods [compare 1 Kings 11 on verse 5.]

17. But mine eye spare them that I destroyed them not neither made a full end of them [see of tis phrase Jerem 4 on verse 27 so above chap 11.13]in the wilderness .

18. But I said unto thir children in the wilderness [that is unto the sons and daughters of those whomi had powerfully brought forth out of the land of Egypt walk not in the statutes of your father [see 1 Kings 15 onverse26]neither observe their judgments [tat is their way and manner of doing compare Genes 40.13 and the annotate]neither defile yourselves with their dung-gods see above on verse 7 .]

19. I am the Lord your God walk in my statutes [compare 2 Chron 6.16 and the annotate and observe my judgments and do them .

20. And hallow my Sabbath [that is use them for that holly end for which I have hallowed them see Jerem 17.22]and theyshall b for a token between me and between you [see above on verse 12] that ye may know that I the Lord am your God.

21. But those children were also rebellious against me they walkednot in my statutes neither heeded they my judgments to do tem which is of a man do he shall live by them thy profaned a Sabbath so that I said [or I thought saying for thinking see Genes 20 on verse 11]that I ould pour mine indignation upon them [see above chap 6 on vers 8] accomplishing mine anger against them in the wilderness [so above verse 8.]

22. Yet I turned away mine hand [to wit from accomplishing mine anger upon them]and did it for my name sake [to it that I destroyedthem not in the wilderness]that it should not be profaned before the eyes of the heathn so above verse 9 before whose hose eyes I had bought them out .

23. I lifted up ine hand unto them also in the wilderness [to wit threatening to punish them compare Psal 10.11 and the annotate] that I would disperse them among the heathen and scatter them in the lands .

24. Because they had not done my judgments but had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbath and andtheir eyes [understand also for their hearts and for these two follow one another Job 31:7 therefore they are also sometimes joined together Jerem 22 .17 above chap 6.3]wereafter thirfathers dung-gods .

25. Therefore I gave them also decrees [that is determined sentences and ordinates of my just judgments containing in them the punishment which they had deserved and also were sain to suffer so is also the Hebrew word is taken Job 23:16 Psal 2.7 so in the followingword the judgment is taken for punishments which justly belong unto them for their sins]that were not good [that is not pleasing unto them or agreeing well with them but very bad and destructive see of these punishments Numb 16 verse 23 &c and 21.6 and 25.4 &c others understand by these evil statutes the idolatrous laws of the heathen which God is said to have given to the Israelites because in his just judgment he suffered them to walk thereinto their own destruction because they forsook his holy laws compare Psal 81.12,13.] and judgments whereby they should not live [which was accomplished when they perished in te wilderness afterwards.]

26. And I polluted them in their own gifts [that is I declared shewed and testified that they were unclean that is profane abominable and displeasing unto me in the offering of their gifts which they brought unto me see of the word polluting so taken Levit 13.3]because they caused to pass thorow the fire this is here inserted from 31 verse following it is also left out of the text Levit 18.21 ]all that openeth the womb [Heb all opening of the womb that is every first born so Exodus 13:2 &c Numb 3.12 see of this abomination of the heathen Levit 18 on verse 21 some are of opinion that the Jews also commit this abomination to the honor of the true God [that I might make them desolate [for God had threatened them if they followed the abominations of the heathen that he would make their land desolate Levit 26 verse 22 ,31,32 &c]to the end that they might know that I am the Lord .

27. Therefore child of man speak unto the house of Israel , and say unto them thus saith the Lord LORD yet herewith your fathers have reproached me that by transgression they have transgressed against me [that is have committed a special sin against me compare the phrase Levit 5.15 Numb 5.27 Joshua 7:1 .]

28. When I had brought them into the land for the which I have lifted up mine hand to give it to them [that is when I had brought them into the land of Canaan which I had promised into their fathers]then thy looked toward every high hill and all close trees [that were very thick and twisted together in their boughs and leaves compare Levit 23.40 Nehem 8.16] and offered here their sacrifices [here is related the afore mentioned special transgression] and gave there their provoking offerings [Hebprovocation of their offerings whereby they did irritate and provoke me to anger]and thre they set thir pleasant savour and there they offered their drink offerings [see Psal 16 on vers 4.]

29. And I said unto them what is that high place whereunto ye go ? nevertheless the name threof is called high place into this day [what the idolatrous high place were see Levit 26 on verse 30 the Lord speaking thus asked in an ironical way what it meant that they thiter to offer sacrifice for though he had continually forbidden them by his prophets to do it yet there remained still together with idolatrous worship the very name of the place among them in honor and esteem .]

30. Therefore say unto the house of Israel thus saith the Lord LORD are ye become polluted [others are ye not become polluted]in the way of your fathers [that is after or with the manner and course of life of you fathers see Prov 6 on verse6] and go ye a whoring after th detestations ? [se Levit 15 on verse7 and 20 on verse5 .]

31. Yea by the offerings of your gifts and causing your children to pass through the fire ye are polluted in all your dung-gods unto this day and should I be enquired of by ye O house of Israel ?[others for when ye offer your gifts or hen ye cause your children to passthrough fire &c should I then be enquired of by you &c]As true as I live saith the Lord LORD if he enquired of by ye [fill up the sense as in other oaths of God see Numb 4 on verse 23 the meaning then is as if the Lord should say I would not be enquired of by you that are such abominable idolaters.]

32. Therefore that which is come up into your spirit [that which is come into the thoughts of your hearts or that which you think or imagine with yourselves compare above chap 11 on vers 5 and see Jeem 7 on verse 31]shall no ways be done [Heb shall being not be or being done not be done]that ye say we will be as the heathen and as the families of the lands serving wood and stone [so are images called Deuteronomy 4:28 and 29.17 Jerem 2 .27 and 3.9 also hewen stones Levit 26.1 gold and silver Deuteronomy 29:17 Psal 115.4.]

33. As time as I live saith the Lord LORD if with a mighty hand [that is sore and grievous plagues see Exodus 3:19 and 9.3 and Job 13:21 with the annotate] and a stretched out arm [that is violent far extending and long lasting punishments compare Jerem 21.5 and above chap 4.7]and with fury poured out see above chap 7 .8 I will not rule over you [that is be your Lord and King it shall not be in your liberty and power to cast me off to cast me off and to forsake me for to choose another sovereign .]

34. For I will bring you from the nations [manyundestand by these those that were conveyed away to Babel with King Jojachin 2Kings 24.13 though among them may be also understood those that under zedekias reign were scattered into the country round about compare Jerem 40 .11 ,12] and gather you out of the lands wheein ye are scattered by strong hand and by a stretched out arm and by out.

35. Moreover I will bring you into the wilderness of the nation [that is into Chaldea and the countries round about as the Jews should be as in wilderness compare above chap 9.13and the annotate] and there will I reason or plead with you [the Hebrew word rendered here reasoning or pleading signifieth properly to be judged before a judge Psal 109.7 Proverbs 29:9 Now there is no other supreme judge but God alone but he is said to be judged whereb his punishments he so convinceth man of his sins that even other man may judge that the sinner is justly punishedfor them see above chap 17 on verse 20]face to face [that is in presence discovering myself unto them by punishments the justice whereof shall shall so appear unto all as if I pleaded against you in personal presence compare Exodus 33:11.]

36. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in wilderness of the land of Egypt so I will plead with you saith the Lord LORD .

37. And I will cause you to pass under the rod [that is separate you from the rest and appropriate you as an holy unto myself see of this phrase Leviticus 27:32 also Jerem33.13] and I will bring you[to it whom I have set apart]under the bond of the covenant [that is to the obedience which you owe by virtue of the covenant that I made with you .

38. Moreover I will purge out from you [or sweep out from you that is separate them from those whom I have chosen from my own perculiar people and are obedient to my word]those that are rebellious and those transgress against me [to wit Israel] I will bring them forth [to wit to be carried captive to Babel out of the land of their pilgrimges [that is out of the land of Juda he speaketh of the Jews that were with Zedekia yet in Judea and he called the land whereof they boasted themselves to the true and lawful heirs the land of their pilgrimages because it was almost subdued by the king of Babel & that by their rebellion against him yea also against God himself they had lost their right and interest in it some understand by the land of their pilgrimages the country of Chaldea from whence some wicked men indeed should be brought forth but should be destroyedby God and not come into the land of Israel asfolloweth]and they shall not come again into the country of Israel [that is into the same land to wit because they should die in the Babylonians captivity]and ye shall know that I am the Lord .

39. And ye O house of Israel thus saith the Lord LORD go you ways save ye each one his dung-gods [a command given in a deriding way and in most bitter wrath to signifie that he forsook and rejected his obstinate people compare Judges 10:14 1 Kings 22:15 Job 18:15 and the annotate]also here after [to wit after ye shall be carried away captive out of Judea]because ye hearkened not unto me yet profane not my holy name [Heb the name of my holiness]anymore with your gifts [to wit which ye give and offer unto your idols and that forsooth out of a good intention to my honor and glory as ye pretend]and with your dung-gods .

40. For upon my holy mountain[Heb in the mountain of my holiness] understand the holy church and see above c 17on vesre22 upon the high mountains of Israel saith the Lord LORD they shall all the house of Israel in the land [or all that are in the land meaning the spiritual Israel hich is the congregation of all the elect and true believers Romans 9:6,7 and 11.26 Galat 6.6,16]serve me they all they will I take pleasur in them [that is in their persons that out of the free grace for the mediator sake in whom they shall believe and by whose spirit they shall sanctified and governed Ephesians 1:6]and there will I require your heave offerings and the fisrt thing of your heaving with all you hallowed things [to wit which shall be hallowed and dedicated unto me understand by the naming here of the worship of the old testament also the worship of the new compare Isaiah 19:19,21] Malach 1.11.]

41. I will take pleasure in you because of the pleasant savour [see Genes 8 on vese21.] when I shall bring you out rom the nations and gather ye out of the lands wherein ye shall be scattered and I will be hallowed [that is be honoured and magnified for the grace and mercy hich I shall haveshewed unt you see Levit 10 on verse3] before the eyes of the heathen

42. And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I shall have brought you into the country of Israel into the land of which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers .

43. There shall ye remember your ways and all your dealings [compare above chap 6.9 and the annotate] wherewith ye have defiled yourselves[compare above chap 14 on verse 11] and ye shall loath yourselves [see above chap 6 on verse 9]for all yourevils that ye have committed .

44. So ye shall know that I am the Lord when I shall have done with you for my names sake [see above on verse 9]not according to yourevil ways nor according to your corrupt dealings O house o Israel saith the Lord LORD.

45. Moreover the word of theLordcame unt me saying:

46. Child of man set thy face towards the way of the south [that is prepare thy self sit thy self take a take a strong resolution to prophesie against the south compare above chap 62 and below chap 21.2 some begin here the next chapter in the beginning whereof this figurative prophesie is plainly expounded .Towards the way of the south that is towards Jerusalem and Judea for this land lay southward in respect of Chaldea and Mesopotamia where Ezekiel now was compare below chap 21.2]and drop [see Deut 32 on verse 2] towards the south drop against the forest of the field in the south ;[meaning the land of Judea which was as full of man as wood as is full of trees compare the next verse.]

47. And say to the forest of the south [that is to the man that dwell in Judea see above chap 17 on verse 24]hear the word of the Lord thus saith the Lord LORD behold ,I will kindle a fire [that is a fore plague of a cruel war compare Job 15 on verse 34 likewise see Psal 78.63 and 83.15]in thee ,which shall consume every green tree in thee and every dry tree [that is both the righteous and the wicked see this significant below chap 21.3,above chap 17.14 ..The godly are said to be green and wicked dry Psal 52.10 Jerem 17.8 Luke 23:31] the flaming flame [Heb the flame of flame or the flame flame that is the very mighty flame or the flame that flameth exceedingly .Meaning a very great punishment see Job 15:30]shall not be quenched but all faces from the south to the north [that is all men from one end of the land to the other compare below chap 21.4 shall be burnt thereby .

48. And all flesh [that si every men see Genes 6 on verse 12]shall see that I the Lord have kindled it shall not be quenched .

49. And I said ah Lord LORD they say of me [to wit mocking at my person ministry calling] is he not an inventor of parables ? [of the word parable see above chap 7 on verse2.]