Notes from Ezekiel 10

The prophet had observed to us (8:4) that when he was in vision at Jerusalem he saw the same appearance of the glory of God there that he had seen by the river Chebar; now, in this chapter, he gives us some account of the appearance there, as far as was requisite for the clearing up of two further indications of the approaching destruction of Jerusalem, which God here gave the prophet:-

I. The scattering of the coals of fire upon the city, which were taken from between the cherubim (v. 1-7).
II. The removal of the glory of God from the temple, and its being upon the wing to be gone (v. 8-22).
When God goes out from a people all judgments break in upon them.

Notes from Ezekiel 9

The prophet had, in vision, seen the wickedness that was committed at Jerusalem, in the foregoing chapter, and we may be sure that it was not represented to him worse than really it was; now here follows, of course, a representation of their ruin approaching; for when sin goes before judgments come next. Here is,

I. Preparation made of instruments that were to be employed in the destruction of the city (v. 1, 2).
II. The removal of the Shechinah from the cherubim to the threshold of the temple (v. 3).
III. Orders given to one of the persons employed, who is distinguished from the rest, for the marking of a remnant to be preserved from the common destruction (v. 3, 4).
IV. The warrant signed for the execution of those that were not marked, and the execution begun accordingly (v. 5-7).
V. The prophet's intercession for the mitigation of the sentence, and a denial of any mitigation, the decree having now gone forth (v. 8-10).
VI. The report made by him that was to mark the pious remnant of what he had done in that matter (v. 11). And this shows a usual method of Providence in the government of the world.

Notes from Ezekiel 8

God, having given the prophet a clear foresight of the people's miseries that were hastening on, here gives him a clear insight into the people's wickedness, by which God was provoked to bring these miseries upon them, that he might justify God in all his judgments, might the more particularly reprove the sins of the people, and with the more satisfaction foretel their ruin. Here God, in vision, brings him to Jerusalem, to show him the sins that were committed there, though God had begun to contend with them (v. 1-4), and there he sees,

I. The image of jealousy set up at the gate of the altar (v. 5, 6).
II. The elders of Israel worshipping all manner of images in a secret chamber (v. 7-12).
III. The women weeping for Tammuz (v. 13, 14).
IV. The men worshipping the sun (v. 15, 16). And then appeals to him whether such a provoking people should have any pity shown them (v. 17, 18).

Notes from Ezekiel 7

In this chapter the approaching ruin of the land of Israel is most particularly foretold in affecting expressions often repeated, that if possible they might be awakened by repentance to prevent it. The prophet must tell them,

I. That it will be a final ruin, a complete utter destruction, which would make an end of them, a miserable end (v. 1-6).
II. That it is an approaching ruin, just at the door (v. 7-10).
III. That it is an unavoidable ruin, because they had by sin brought it upon themselves (v. 10-15).
IV. That their strength and wealth should be no fence against it (v. 16-19).
V. That the temple, which they trusted in, should itself be ruined (v. 20-22).
VI. That it should be a universal ruin, the sin that brought it having been universal (v. 23-27).

Notes from Ezekiel 6

In this chapter we have,

I. A threatening of the destruction of Israel for their idolatry, and the destruction of their idols with them (v. 1-7).
II. A promise of the gracious return of a remnant of them to God, by true repentance and reformation (v. 8-10).
III. Directions given to the prophet and others, the Lord's servants, to lament both the iniquities and the calamities of Israel (v. 11-14).

Notes from Ezekiel 5

In this chapter we have a further, and no less terrible, denunciation of the judgments of God, which were coming with all speed and force upon the Jewish nation, which would utterly ruin it; for when God judges he will overcome. This destruction of Judah and Jerusalem is here,

I. Represented by a sign, the cutting, and burning, and scattering of hair (v. 1-4).
II. That sign is expounded, and applied to Jerusalem.
1. Sin is charged upon Jerusalem as the cause of this desolation-contempt of God's law (v. 5-7) and profanation of his sanctuary (v. 11).
2. Wrath is threatened, great wrath (v. 8-10), a variety of miseries (v. 12, 16, 17), such as should be their reproach and ruin (v. 13-15).

Notes from Ezekiel 4

Ezekiel was now among the captives in Babylon, but they there had Jerusalem still upon their hearts; the pious captives looked towards it with an eye of faith (as Daniel 6:10), the presumptuous ones looked towards it with an eye of pride, and flattered themselves with a conceit that they should shortly return thither again; those that remained corresponded with the captives, and, it is likely, bouyed them up with hopes that all would be well yet, as long as Jerusalem was standing in its strength, and perhaps upbraided those with their folly who had surrendered at first; therefore, to take down this presumption, God gives the prophet, in this chapter, a very clear and affecting foresight of the besieging of Jerusalem by the Chaldean army and the calamities which would attend that siege. Two things are here represented to him in vision:-

I. The fortifications that should be raised against the city; this is signified by the prophet's laying siege to the portraiture of Jerusalem (v. 1-3) and laying first on one side and then on the other side before it (v. 4-8).
II. The famine that should rage within the city; this is signified by his eating very coarse fare, and confining himself to a little of it, so long as this typical representation lasted (v. 9-17).