Ezekiel
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Introduction[i]
In
the prophecy of Ezekiel we have left the touching ground we were on in
Jeremiah. He was within with the judgment hanging over the guilty city, and
under the oppressive sense of the evil which brought on the ruin, bearing a
testimony which, as to apparent result, was of no avail, though it maintained,
in personal sorrow of heart according to human measure, the glory of God.
Ezekiel
had been carried into captivity with the king Jehoiachin; at least, he was one
of those made captive at that time, and he habitually dates his prophecies from
that period-an important thing to remark that we may understand the revelations
made to him. For himself there is no more question either of dates or of kings,
of Judah or of Israel. The people of God are in captivity among the Gentiles.
Israel is looked at as a whole; the interests of the whole nation are before
the eye of the prophet. At the same time the capture of Jerusalem under
Zedekiah had not yet taken place. This occasions the revelation of that king's
iniquity, the measure of which was filled up by his rebellion. For
Nebuchadnezzar attached value to the oath made in the name of Jehovah. He
counted upon the respect due to that name, and Zedekiah had not respected it.