Ezekiel 13

AND the This first verse is the commission, by virtue whereof Ezekiel acteth as a Prophet, and 'tis in the usual stile near forty times in Ezekiel as here 'tis. word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Son of man, Declare aforehand what I will do. prophesie against the Against Prince and People first, next against Prophets and prophetesses, against the former in the foregoing chapters, against the latter in this chapter. prophets of Because approved of Israel, encouraged by Israel and followed, but not Prophets of the Lord, he sent them not, whether these were in Babylon, or in Ierusalem, some enquiry is made, probably these false Prophets were in both places. Israel that Foretel what is pleasing to the Jews, a sudden return out of Captivity, with the vessels of the Lords house, and prosperity in their own Land. prophesie, and say thou unto them that prophesie But al eir promising words are of themselves, out of their own deceiving hearts, not from God, and so all will be lies. out of their own hearts, Cease to deceive my people, and attend now to what God speaks of you. hear ye the word of the LORD.

Thus says the Lord GOD, They shall be doubly miserable, suffering with the deceived, and suffering by the inraged, when their lies are detected. Wo unto the Either in a moral sense, i. e. wicked, or in a literal sense unwise. Tis both foolishly wicked and imprudent to pretend Revelations, and yet have none from God. foolish prophets, that follow their own In contradistinction to the Spirit of God, the true spirit of prophesie, they strongly phansie what they would have, and then presumptuously prophesie that it shall come to pass. spirit, and God has showed them no vision, nothing of all they pretend to is from God. hav eseen nothing.

O A pathetical exclamation to awake Israel, both the dwellers at Ierusalem and those at Babylon. Israel, Thy Prophets not mine as ver. 2. thy prophets are like the Hungry, and ravening, crafty, and guileful, and living by their wits, but not one whit helpful to those they deceive such are false Prophets. foxes in the Where want of prey makes them more eager of their prey, and where other devourring Beasts endanger Travellers, but no defence to them from Foxes, these fly into their holes betimes, and leave the endangered ones. Or thus, O Israel thou art like the desert spoiled and robbed, and thy false Prophets like Foxes hungry and hunting for some prey, live upon what they can catch, but will be no more profitable to thee then Foxes are to the Wilderness. deserts.

Vulpin Prophets. Ye have not As in a besieged City whose wall is broken down and the Enemy ready to enter, a valiant, faithful, and vigilant Souldier would run up into the breach to repell the Enemy, so true Prophets do partly by Prayer, and partly by Doctrine, and partly by personal Reformation, labour to preserve Gods people, but Fox like they have shifted out of harms way. gone up into the gaps, neither The house of Israel is the Lords Vineyard, through the hedge whereof many breaches are made, through which wild and wasting beasts come in and devour the Grapes and spoil the Vines, but you have not stopt those breaches, but Fox like come in and pulled off the tender grapes, and done the most mischief, you have increased sin and danger thereby. And when the Lords wrath shall give up the City, you will not stand to oppose the Enemy breaking in, so useless will these be at last. made up the hedge for the house of Israel, to Not with Armes but with Fasting, Prayers, Repentance laying hold on the arm of the Lord, and interceding for his people. stand in the Which God will by the Chaldeans Fight against the house of Israel, in that day of the Lord the weapons of War will not prevail against the Chaldeans, unless Prayers, Tears, and Amendment prevail with the Lord to withdraw the battel and be at peace with Israel. battel in the day of the LORD.

They have They pretend to have seen but still they see nothing, as ver. 2. The Prophet speaks as if indeed they had seen, but the very censure of the things they said they saw, clears it, that all was but pretence. seen Things that have no ground or foundation, and which will never be, and are therefore called vanity and lying Divinations. vanity and lying divination, saying, the LORD Foretelleth and promiseth. says, and the LORD has not Never revealed any such thing to them, or bade them tell the Jews any such thing. sent them: and they have By their pretences, and arguments they have wheedled some into a belief of their word, and into a hope of that they promise, and so the credulous Jew is undone by his Prophet, who tells him all is well and needs no alteration, and all will be well, and they need fear no desolation. made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

Consider with your own Consciences, do they not tell you, that all is vain pretence which you make, can you think Ierusalem can escape, or the first Captives be returned and all this so soon? Is not this vain to be imagined, and they vainer that imagin and believe it? Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, If it should come to pass, which it never shall, yet herein you are convicted lyars; you say the Lord says when as he has said no such thing, nay the contrary has God spoken to what you speak, and the event shall be as contrary to your expectation, which is of Good, but behold evil cometh out of the North, and great destruction. whereas ye say, the LORD says it, albeit I have not spoken?

The whole verse speaks the dreadful anger of God against those fal e Prophets, it is unspeakable wrath and we are left to ghesse at it by the manner of speech here used, which is minatory, Ezek 2.3. & 26.. concealing the greater part intended n Aposiopesis. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore behold, I This is more particularly exemplified in the next verse. am against you, says the Lord GOD.

And mine My power striking them, so that it shall be evident they fall under divine revenge, as Pelatiah, chap. 11.13. and Hananiah, Ier. 28.15, 16. Or if they escape this stroke. hand shall be upon the Prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in Have no seat among the Rulers, nor voice among the councellours, nor credit among the Judges of my people; but as false fellows, teachers of lies, be branded with infamy after the return from Captivity. Or, they shall not be among those that return, dead before, or rejected as dangerous seducers and blasphemous abusers of the name of God. It may also refer to the excluding them out of the assembly of glorified ones in Heaven. the assembly of my people, neither shall they be Not registred among those that return, of which registry. Ezra 2.1 2. but blotted out for their impiety, this literally; mystically it may be an obliterating, or blotting them out of the book of Life, they shall not be written with such as shall escape, spiritually, they shall not be found among the elect that shall live for ever. written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they They shall never more come into the Land of Israel, not survive the Captivity. Or, with disgrace cast off shall die in strange Lands. In brief the approaching prosperity which they promise the people none shall see, Ier. 29.21, 32. but the prosperity after 70 years captivity, which I promise, my people shall see, but these false Prophets never shall see, my hand shall be so against them. They shall not be written in the books of Eternal Life, which is written for the just ones of the house of Israel, says the Chaldee paraphrast. enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall See Chap. 12. verse 15. know that I am the LORD.

¶ Because, even The verse is a transition to a new subject, or rather to a new manner of discovering and condemning the sin of the false Prophets. because they have Made my people to erre, both in their apprehension of their sin and danger, and of my displeasure and threats, as if all were less then 'twas, and there needed no Repentance, or submission to the Babylonish King. seduced my people, saying, All will be well, no warr or else victory, no more going into captivity, but a speedy return of those that are in captivity, when nothing of all this but the contrary was to be told them, universal calamity was at the door, and these var ets promise universal tranquillity and plenty. Peace, and there was no peace: and Some one or other chief among the false Prophets, as Hananiah, Ier. 28.15. and Shema ah, Ier. 29.31. Or Ahab Son of Kolajah, Ier. 29.21, 22. one When the state of the Church was shattered and ready to fall, these chief false prophets would undertake to repair and build it, but indeed all was a mere contrived cheat, like as if a pretended Architect should promise to build a wall substantial and sound, but a pack of deceitful builders in confederacy with this one set to laying the stones, and then with dirt instead of morter, with meking and dissolving mire instead of holding, and well tempered Cement, daub the wall, so the chief seducers cry peace, peace and all the kennel of lesser cheats follow full cry, peace, peace, within two years shall the King of Babylon cease says one, Ier. 28.11. and all the inferiour Prophets applaud the con ecture, and persuade the people to believe it, but the end will evince them Lyars, as in the following verse. built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered morter.

Say unto The meaner and less noted, who follow the Arch-false-Prophets, and are, as under workers in this wall. them, that daub it with untempered morter, that it shall Most certainly its fall shall be the shame and loss of the builders and those that hoped its duration. fall: there shall be an Abundant, violent, and continued showers shall soak into your wall and dissolve the cement, and this showre is the Babylonish invasion, which all your provision shall be no more able to withstand, then mire in a wall can keep the stones together when drencht with showers. overflowing showre, and ye, O I will summon in the storms of hail, which with mighty stones shall beat upon the ruinous wall. great hail stones, shall Viz. Upon the wall. fall, and a stormy wind shall rent it. A whirlwind to shake the tumbling stones, which without much shaking would ere long drop down, but to hasten the downfal, soaking showres, storms of Hail and violent Winds shall meet, so shall your crazy state, O deceived Jews, come down to ruine.

Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not Will not men thenceforth laugh you to scorn, you that built, you that daubed, you that applauded the wall, will they not upbraid you with your folly? be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye daubed it?

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, I will even rent it with a stormy wind in my fury: and there shall be an overflowing showre in mine anger, and great hail-stones in my fury to consume it. This confirms what was said verse 11th. where 'tis explained, this verse addeth that God will do this by his hand and in anger and fury, taking vengeance on this scoffing, Atheistical, and secure generation in his just displeasure, he will execute the fierceness of his anger upon Prince, Prophets, People, City, and all their Confederates.

So will I Pull it down stone by stone. break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it Level it with the ground. down to the ground, so that the The unsoundness of the foundation, what ever it may seem to be. foundation thereof shall be To every one that will look on it, and this to the utter shame of the builders. discovered, and it shall fall, and ye Who deceive and are deceived by it. shall be Shall perish in the midst thereof, s all that hearkned to these false Prophets, rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, Fortified the City, and obstinately stood it out, fell with the ruines of the City and perisht, and then felt the stroak of Gods hand, and truth of his Prophet. consumed in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. This verse with very little variation repeats the same dreadful procedure of God against this people, and these false Prophets, and their false ill-grounded confidences. And this repeating these things is to give us to know the certainty of the thing, the terrour wherewith God will do it, and the stupidity of the jews bewitcht by the flatteries of their false Prophets.

In this dreadful manner by my hand visible in doing it. Thus will I Fulfill what my Prophets foretold and perform my word and theirs, and fully pour out my wrath, so that it shall be fully according to the just displeasure they have provoked in me. accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will I will deride them in their ruine, as Psal. 2.4. and Prov. 1.26. say unto you, the God curseth confidences in an arm of flesh, and will destroy them, for they are set up in direct opposition to his justice and sovereignty, to his threats and truth of them. wall is no more, neither they that daubed it.

To wit, the prophets of See ver. 2 4. Israel which prophesie concerning Jerusalem, and which See ver. 7. see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, says the Lord GOD.

¶ Likewise thou son of man, Now turn thy self and discourse against the Prophe esses, fear them not, see the phrase, chap. 4.3. set thy face against the Some would have the Prophets words to be intended against the effeminate men, who were of no value, and by contempt called the Daughters of his people, but I see no cause why the Prophets words should not be directed against the Women who pretended to be Prophetesses. daughters of That were with him in Babylon. Or, rather, because they were Jews they are called daughters of his people. Or might they not be daughters of Priests, and so more nearly of kin to Ezekiel. thy people which There were Women who had the gift of prophesie, Exod. 15.20. Iud. 4.4. and 2 Kings 22.14. and Ioel 2.28. and brought messages from God, but these in the text pretend themselves to be Prophetesses, and speak their own imaginations, and fasten their lies on the God of truth. prophesie out of their own heart, and prophesie thou against them.

And say, Thus says the Lord GOD, Calamities of all sorts shall fall upon them. Wo to the women that fow A figurative speech expressing their flatteries and security, which the Women promised to every ae that came to them to know the fate of themselves and others, in token of which safety and ease, either these Women did put them for these enquirers to sleep on. Or, else to lean on as they lay on their side at meat, or else these Gypsies, fortune-tellers, did sleep or pretend to sleep on those Pillows and thereby signifie the peace, safety, and ease, which this people should have. pillows to All comers had the same answer, these Women made not any difference. all armholes, and make Either vailes, or triumphal Hats or Caps, which were made by these Prophetesses, and these were put upon the head of every one who consulted them, and by these habits the deceived enquirer was either persuaded he was made fit to receive the Oracle, or was to interpret the sign as promise of victory over the Babylonian, and a triumphant rest in Iudaea, perhaps they might use both, the vailes were put on to signifie the shame with which their Enemies faces should be covered; the triumphant Caps to note the joys of the Jews, but the event showed which belonged to the one and other. kercheifs upon the head of every i. e. Of every age, whether younger or elder, which usually is somewhat seen by their stature or growth. stature to All this is a pretence, while really 'tis spreading a net, as Hunters do, to catch the prey and devour it. hunt The Persons, Life, Estate and all to enrich or maintain themselves. souls: Dare you promise they shall live when I do promise no such thing? Or can you preserve them alive whom you deceive by your promises? Are you no whit afraid thus to prophane my name and to ensnare my people? will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?

And will ye Profanely contradicting what is indeed spoken in my name, and pretending my name for that I never spake, nor will do. pollute me among my Who are my peculiar, who have my Word and true Prophets, by which your lies are discovered, and farther will be, what shameless impudence is this to abuse my name, counterfeit my hand and seal to them that do or might know both! people for For a mean reward, tell fortunes for a penny! but there may be herein a Provision made against the Famine which was threatned and would come, this grain might be kept. handfuls of barley, and for Bread and morsels of Bread, mercenary Sorceresses! That thus make sale of their predictions for to feed their hungry bellies. pieces of bread, to You denounce evil to the be, perhaps threatned those in Babylon with death, whom God will keep alive there. slay the souls that should not die, and to Declaring safety, plenty, prosperity, peace without War or victory in the War, included in that they live. save the souls alive that should not live, by your Most falsely flattering those that come to you, and most maliciously threatning those that come not, because they know you speak your own lies. You save whom i'le kill, and kill whom i'le save. lying to my people that hear your lies?

Wherefore thus says the Lord GOD, behold, I The same phrase ver. 8. am against your The Rite, and its signification too. pillows wherewith ye Either at Ierusalem, or where ever you give out answers, there hunt the souls, to make them In this sense the word is no where else used, and thus used here renders the interpretation obscure, elsewhere 'tis to bud as Num. 17.8. and Ezek. 7.10. to blossom, Isa. 27.6. to spring up as a Flower or Vine, Psal. 92.7. and Cant. 6.11. to grow, as Hos. 14.8. Thus the sense is obvious, by these lying Ceremonies thus applied you promise a flourishing, growing, state to all enquirers, and this is the net with which you hunt souls, 'tis possible these Prophetesses might bring their deceived ones into pleasant Gardens, and (if well paid for it) entertain with all the pleasures of Flowers and Fruits, and might not these Prophetesses be the Priests of Flora, and seduce young, fair, wanton ones to the Idolatry and brutish pleasures of the Floralia? fly, and I With some violence, and suddenness that may express an indignation, as 2 Kings 5.7. when the King of Israel rent his clothes at the hearing the letter of Benhadad King of Syria, so in wrath will God suddenly tear your enchanting and divining habits. will tear them from Either from the arms of such as put them on when they consulted with these seducers. Or, may be the seducers might ordinarily wear them to be known what they were. your arms, and You held the souls of those that heard you as Captives. Or, as bewitched with your enchantments and pleasures, but I will set them free, some I will enlighten to discover your frauds; others I will undeceive by sending them into Captivity. will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

Your See v. 18. kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver God owns them, at least some among them, tho all were not his, yet he had a people among them. Power of their seductions. my people out of your r hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Because with Diametrically opposing what my Prophets told to my people in my name. lies ye have made the The Soul, which in weak ones received some sadning impressions from your lies; in the strongest and wisest 'twas matter of grief, to see so many contradict the Lord to their own ruin. heart of the Who keep my Law, and have respect to all my precepts though none can fulfil the Law, the upright and just righteous sad, whom I have not Against whom you do thunder out your woes, but I know better how to distribute my orders, I never commissioned, nor ever will commission, any Prophet to sadden the heart of a just one, who n eds and is fit for encouragement, or to threaten where they should promise. made sad; and strengthned the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him Your flatteries persuade the worst to think they are in a good way, need not repent, and return, and so, their hearts hardned in wickedness, their hands do work it, God would convince and turn the wicked, but you confirm them that they return not from sin, you assure them, but 'tis with lying words, that they shall not dye by Pestilence, nor Famin, nor Sword, but live and prosper. life.

Therefore ye shall see See chap. 12.24. Either these Prophetesses with the Prophets of the same stamp shall perish in the day of calamity, and the miseries that they persuaded others to sleight and contemn. Or, else, if they live, they shall live to see all their predictions of prosperity vanish, to see the righteous, whom they threatned, escape, and the wicked, whom they spake good of, fall under miseries, this shall so confound them, they shall cease f r ever, and pretend no more visions. Your credit shall be gone, and you found false dreamers, you shall never more be able to keep up any power over, or interest in my people. Not one just righteous soul shall ever grieve, or apprehend cause of fear from what you threaten, and the unrighteous shall no more joy in the expectation of these lying promises. All shall know that I am the Lord, who fulfil promises to the just, and execute threats on the bad. no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.