Page 110 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

104 NOTES ON EZEKIEL.
Doth he not speak parables?” The word was plain
enough; but man finds difficulties in understanding
what he does not like.
The next communication however is much more dis­
tinct and complete. (Chap, xxi.) “ And the word of
Jehovah came unto me saying, Son of man, set thy face
toward Jerusalem, and drop [thy word] toward the holy
places, and prophesy against the land of Israel, and
say to the land of Israel, Thus saith Jehovah; Behold,
I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out
of its sheath, and will cut off from thee the righte­
ous and the wicked.” Here figures are dropped and
plain language spoken. The slaughter would be
indiscriminate, not chastening but vengeance. It is
no longer a conflagration, but the sword. “ Seeing
then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and
the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of
its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north;
that all flesh may know that I Jehovah have drawn
forth my sword out of its sheath: it shall not return
any more,” (Ver. 1—5.) Sentence was gone forth irre­
vocably against Judea. u Sigh therefore, thou son of
man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness
sigh before their eyes.” All were to take heed. It
was no light matter nor affectation on Ezekiel’s part.
God meant it to be felt deeply—by the prophet first
that others also might fear. “ And it shall be, when
they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou ? that thou
shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and
every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble,
and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak
as water: behold it cometh and shall be brought to pass,