Page 167 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER XXXIV. 161

shall pass through. Then shall they know that I am
Jehovah, when I have laid the land most desolate be­
cause of all their abominations which they have com­
mitted.” (Yer. 21-29.) To plead the promises in such
a state of things is ruinous. Equally so was it to
affect care for the prophet’s word, listening as men do to
a charming song.
“ Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people
still are talking against thee by the walls and in the
doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every
one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear
what is the word that cometh forth from Jehovah. And
they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit
before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but
they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew
much love, but their heart goetli after their covetous­
ness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely
song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well
on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they
do them not. And when this cometh to pass (lo, it will
come), then shall they know that a prophet hath been
among them.” (Ver. 30-33.) To hear and not do is
but to increase condemnation; as the issue would prove
when the warning that pleased their ears was verified
in their destruction.

CHAPTER XXXIY.
W e have next a solemn, righteous, but severe denuncia­
tion of the kings or shepherds of Israel, at whose door
Jehovah lays the blame of selfishly afflicting and ruin­
ing His people.
M