Page 53 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER XI. 47
resolved to resist the Chaldeans to the last, spite of the
prophet’s warning. Luther and Diodati are substan­
tially like the Authorized Bible; and so too the modem
translation of Leeser as well as of Henderson.
Certain it is that they set themselves against the true
prophets and even turned the figure of Jeremiah into
derision by making it a phrase favourable to their own
policy. Therefore the marked emphasis with which
Ezekiel was called on to prophesy against them, the
Spirit of Jehovah being said to fall upon him, with a re­
newed charge to speak in Jehovah’s name, for their secrets
were out in His light. And Jehovah after recounting'
their murderous doings retorts on them their proverb;
only it was their slain that were the flesh and the city
the caldron, while they themselves are told to get out,
but not to escape, as they expected. Jehovah would
bring on them the dreaded sword, and this outside the
city to which they were so closely cleaving, for they
should be delivered into the hand of strangers for judg­
ment. Nay, Jehovah solemnly declares that He would
judge them on the boundary of Israel, and they should
know that He is Jehovah. Thus the city should not
be tc them for a caldron, nor they flesh in its midst, but
judged by Jehovah at the borders, forced to feel then in
whose statutes they had not walked, and whose judg­
ments they had not executed, but rather acting according
to those of the nations around.
Thereon, as Ezekiel prophesied, Pelatiah the son
of Benaiah died (ver. 13, 14), which drew out the pro­
phet into sorrow and intercession for the remnant. For
the captive loved the men, scornful though they might
be, who dwelt in Jerusalem. On this the word of Je­