Page 114 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

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but grace would take up the matter and reserve for
God in mercy to restore what was hopeless as long as
Ihe promises were tied to conditions, for the people had
broken all instead of fulfilling any. They were to
be carried captive, and the kingdom overturned till
Messiah come; but the Ammonites should be judged
in their own land. Yet is it a mistake to deny either
-their captivity or their restoration another day. (Com­
pare Jer. xlix. 6.)

CHAPTER XXII.

Next follows a withering exposure of Jerusalem, vio­
lence and corruption, idolatry in particular, being charged
home. Therefore did Jehovah put the city to shame,
a mockery to men far and near. “ Moreover the word
of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Now, thou son of
man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city?
yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations. Then
say thou, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, the city shed-
deth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come,
and maketli idols against herself to defile herself. Thou
art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed ;
and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast
made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near,
and art come even unto thy years; therefore have I made
thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all
countries. Those that be near, and those that be far
from thee, shall mock thee, which art infamous and
much vexed.” (Ver. 1—5.) Nay the dignitaries of law,
who governed, set the example of iniquity in every form.