Page 109 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER XXI. 103
accomplished, not only in us who now believe and go to
heaven at Christ’s coming, but in the children of Israel
on the earth, who shall then indeed repent, only so%
really because of His mercy who acts freely above the
evil of the creatures for His own sake: if He did not,
to be a sinner were to be ruined without remedy or
hope.

CHAPTER XXI.
W h a t appears in our ordinary Bibles as the end of
chapter xx. (ver. 45—49) goes rather with chapter
xxi. in the Hebrew and in some ancient versions. It
is the conquest of Judea under the image of a forest
on fire. The prophet is directed to set his face and
prophesy about the south, which is expressed in three
forms with great emphasis. “ Moreover the word of
Jehovah came unto me saying, Son of man, set thy
face toward the south, and drop [thy word] toward
the south, and prophesy against the forest of the
south field. And say to the forest of the south, Hear
the word of Jehovah; thus saith the Lord Jehovah,
Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour
every green tree in thee, and every dry tree.” Judg­
ment was going forth against all, be they vigorous or
withered. “ The flaming flame shall not be quenched,
and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt
therein. And all flesh shall see that I Jehovah have
kindled it: it shall not be quenched.” The complete­
ness of the judgment would prove the hand of Jehovah,
“ Then said I, Ah! Lor1 Jehovah! they say of me.