45 Then this message came to me from the Lord : 46 "Son of man, turn and face the south and speak out against it; prophesy against the brushlands of the Negev. 47 Tell the southern wilderness, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Hear the word of the Lord ! I will set you on fire, and every tree, both green and dry, will be burned. The terrible flames will not be quenched and will scorch everything from south to north. 48 And everyone in the world will see that I, the Lord, have set this fire. It will not be put out.'" 49 Then I said, "OÂ Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me, 'He only talks in riddles!'"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:45-49
Commentary on Ezekiel 20:45-49
(Read Ezekiel 20:45-49)
Judah and Jerusalem had been full of people, as a forest of trees, but empty of fruit. God's word prophesies against those who bring not forth the fruits of righteousness. When He will ruin a nation, who or what can save it? The plainest truths were as parables to the people. It is common for those who will not be wrought upon by the word, to blame it.