The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 229

Vers. 1-16.-.A parabolic appeal to a rebellious people. "The word of the Lord also came unto me, saying, Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house," etc. "Now begin the amplifications," says Hengstcuberg, "the marginal notes, so to speak, on the great text in eh. viii.-xi., which extend to eh. xix. and these terminate in a song, corresponding to the song in tho first group in eh.' vii. Tho approaching catastrophe of Jerusalem forms the central point throughout. The prophet is inexhaustible in the announcement of this, as the false patriotism was inex- haustible in its announcements of salvation." We are not certain whether this parable of Ezekicl's removing was really acted by him or only visional. But we incline to the opinion that it was internal and visional, for the following reasons: 1. This communi- cation (,ers. 1-16) ref~rs chiefly to the king and the people in Jerusalem, while the prophet dwelt at Tel-.Ab1b. So that so far as the people principally interested in it are concerned, it would be as impressive to them if it took place in the reO'ion of the prophet's soul as if it were outwardly enacted in a country far away from them. 2. The prophet is represented as dwelling in the midst of the people to whom this communication chiefly applies, and as doing these things in their sight; bnt seeinO' that he actually dwelt at 1'el-.Ahib on the Che bar, we think that his dwelling and acting spoken of in this chapter must have been visional. 3. If it had been an actual and external occurrence it would not, at least in one respect, have well answered the end designed. That end was to set forth the truth that the king and the people in Jeru- salem shonld be carried into captivity. But inasmuch as Ezekiel was already in exile, if he actually went forth thus from his Babylonian residence, the action would more fitly symbolize the return of the exiles to their own land than the carrying of others into exile. Such a return many of the exiles were hoping for and expecting speedily; and the prophet was not likely l-o be told to do anything that would encourage the vain expectation. Jeremiah had already written to them, exhorting them to build houses and settle peacefully in the land of their captivity, because they should not return to their own land until seventy years of exile were accomplished. For these reasons we incline to the opinion that the doings of vers. 3-7 were not external and actual, but internal and visional; but, as we have said above, we are not certain of this. Of this we feel assured, that, if they were visional, they were impressed upun the mind of Ezekiel with all the vividness of actual transactions. But, happily, this question does not affect the permanent and universal teachings of the incident. Notice- L THE DEPLORABLE MORAL COJIDITION OF REBELLIOUS SINNERS, "Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house," etc. 1 . .A condition of sad moral obtuse- ness. "Which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not" ( cf. Deut. xx.ix. 4; Isa. vi 9, 10). The will of God was made known unto them, and they had the mental and moral faculties which are necessary for its apprehension, yet they did not apprehend it; they misapprehended or disregarded it. "When men see, hear, and do not profit by their seeing or hearing, then they neither see nor hear in Scripture sense." In this respect how great is the moral insensibility, not only of the openly profane, but of many who attend the public means of grace I They unite in forms of public worship without any spiritual improvement; they hear the ministry of redemptive truth without any saving impression. They "have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not." 2. Moral obtuseness arising from per- sistent wickedness. "For they are a rebellious house." Their moral insensibility was a consequence of their habitual sin. "The cause is all from themselves; the darlmess of the understanding is owing to the stubbornness of the will." The practice of sin blunts the spiritual susceptibilities, tends to destroy the capacity for receiving religious illlpressions or perceiving spiritual truth; and when fully developed it ends in moral sensibility, and makes a man "past feeling." II. THE PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE OF THE Divnrn EFFORTS FOR TIIE CONVERSION OF THE wrcKED. "Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing," etc. (ver. 3). Many means had been tried to lead them to repentance, but without a satis- factory result. Still, God does not yet abandon them, but directs that other means t;ball be tried, saying, "It may be they will consider, though they be a rebellious on:. xrr.1-28.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 225