17 And the sons of thy people have said: The way of the Lord is not pondered, As to them—their way is not pondered. 18 In the turning back of the righteous from his righteousness, And he hath done perversity—he dieth for it. 19 And in the turning back of the wicked from his wickedness, And he hath done judgment and righteousness, by them he liveth. 20 And ye have said: The way of the Lord is not pondered, Each according to his ways do I judge you, O house of Israel.'
21 And it cometh to pass, in the twelfth year—in the tenth 'month', in the fifth of the month—of our removal, come in unto me doth one who is escaped from Jerusalem, saying, 'The city hath been smitten.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 33:17-21
Commentary on Ezekiel 33:10-20
(Read Ezekiel 33:10-20)
Those who despaired of finding mercy with God, are answered with a solemn declaration of God's readiness to show mercy. The ruin of the city and state was determined, but that did not relate to the final state of persons. God says to the righteous, that he shall surely live. But many who have made profession, have been ruined by proud confidence in themselves. Man trusts to his own righteousness, and presuming on his own sufficiency, he is brought to commit iniquity. If those who have lived a wicked life repent and forsake their wicked ways, they shall be saved. Many such amazing and blessed changes have been wrought by the power of Divine grace. When there is a settled separation between a man and sin, there shall no longer be a separation between him and God.
Commentary on Ezekiel 33:21-29
(Read Ezekiel 33:21-29)
Those are unteachable indeed, who do not learn their dependence upon God, when all creature-comforts fail. Many claim an interest in the peculiar blessings to true believers, while their conduct proves them enemies of God. They call this groundless presumption strong faith, when God's testimony declares them entitled to his threatenings, and nothing else.