Page 31 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER Y. 25
Simon Peter where we see the deeply rooted prejudices
of the Jew though in a trance, but overruled of God who
would save from among the Gentiles and bring about
communion with such of Israel as believed. In our
prophecy it is not grace going out to meet and welcome
and bless the heathen by proclaiming to them the only
Saviour, but judgment falling on Jerusalem and this
persistently and without relenting—a strange tale for
Israel to hear and believe. For reverses hitherto had
been but temporary chastenings, and pity’s stream kept
ever flowing down its accustomed bed, and the mass
of Israelites fondly hoped that so it must be, and that
God at least was bound to them, though well they
knew how often and habitually the people dishonoured
Him. Let them see and hear from the abased prophet
what was very soon to be fearfully realized according
to his message from Jehovah. It was the high and
central position of Israel, of Jerusalem above all,
among the peoples and lands round about which made
their rebellion and idolatry so grievous, so impossible
to be overlooked or spared more.
“ Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah; Because
ye multiplied more than the nations that are round
about you, and you have not walked in my statutes,
neither have kept my judgments, neither have done ac­
cording to the judgments of the nations that are round
about you. Therefore thus saitli the Lord Jehovah;
Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute
judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the na­
tions. And I will do in thee that which I have not
done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like,
because of all thy abominations. Therefore the fathers