23 And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying, 24 'Son of man, the inhabitants of these wastes on the ground of Israel are speaking, saying: Alone hath been Abraham—and he possesseth the land, and we 'are' many—to us hath the land been given for a possession. 25 Therefore say unto them: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: With the blood ye do eat, And your eyes ye lift up unto your idols, And blood ye shed, and the land ye inherit! 26 Ye have stood on your sword, Ye have done abomination, Each the wife of his neighbour ye have defiled, And the land ye possess! 27 Thus dost thou say unto them: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: I live—do not they who 'are' in the wastes by the sword fall? And they who 'are' on the face of the field, To the beast I have given for food, And they who are in strongholds and in caves by pestilence die. 28 And I have made the land a desolation and an astonishment, And ceased hath the excellency of its strength, And desolated have been mountains of Israel, Without any one passing through. 29 And they have known that I 'am' Jehovah, In My making the land a desolation and an astonishment, For all their abominations that they have done.
30 And thou, son of man, the sons of thy people who are speaking about thee, By the walls, and in openings of the houses, Have spoken one with another, each with his brother, Saying: Come in, I pray you, And hear what 'is' the word that cometh out from Jehovah. 31 And they come in unto thee as the coming in of a people, And they sit before thee—My people, And have heard thy words, and they do them not, For doting loves with their mouth they are making, After their dishonest gain their heart is going. 32 And lo, thou 'art' to them as a singer of doting loves, A pleasant voice, and playing well on an instrument, And they have heard thy words, and they are not doing them. 33 And in its coming in—lo, it hath come, And they have known that a prophet hath been in their midst!'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 33:23-33
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.
Commentary on Ezekiel 33:30-33
(Read Ezekiel 33:30-33)
Unworthy and corrupt motives often lead men to the places where the word of God is faithfully preached. Many come to find somewhat to oppose: far more come of curiosity or mere habit. Men may have their hearts changed. But whether men hear or forbear, they will know by the event that a servant of God has been among them. All who will not know the worth of mercies by the improvement of them, will justly be made to know their worth by the want of them.