Ezekiel 4

Ezekiel 4:1-7

It is most probable that these things were really done, and not in mere vision. If that year was their lean year of thirteen months, there was time enough between the dates, [chap. i. 1, 2, and viii. 1.] God could easily make the prophet lie still all the time specified, and live comfortably on his provision. The brittle tale represented Jerusalem’s weakness and readiness to be irrecoverably ruined. The pun, or slice of iron, represented the walls of Jerusalem, or the resolution and fortifications of the Chaldean besiegers; the three hundred and ninety days on his left side, answering to the years of wickedness by the less regarded ten tribes after Jeroboam had become king, [1 Kings xii.] might also figure out three hundred and ninety days of siege by the Chaldeans, before they went off to fight the Egyptians, [Jer. xxxvii. 5.] The forty days on his right side, answering to the Jews’ years of wickedness under Manasseh, Jehoinkim, and Zedekiah; or beginning from the 13th or 18th year of Josiah; might represent the forty days of siege after the Chaldeans returned before the city was taken.—His setting his face against the portrait of Jerusalem, and having his arm bare, marked how furiously the Chaldeans should besiege it, and how ready they would be to use their swords in murdering the inhabitants. 11

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IV.—God accurately marks and avenges the iniquities of preceding ages upon obstinate apostates who have continued in them. And with earnestness and resolution the instruments of his wrath proceed in their work against hardened transgressors. If God require it of us, we must be ready to endure any hardship or disgrace for his sake. And it is prudent to accustom ourselves to hardships, as we know not to what we may be put before we die. The fear of sinning chiefly affects a gracious soul. And, amidst pinching wants, it is very comfortable to have a conscience untainted with wilful guilt. But how ready God is, and how ready then should we be, to regard the conscientious scruples of his people!