Ezekiel 2

(1) As we observed before, it was sprinkled as it lay upon the altar, where atonement was made; and this was plainly to signify that atonement was to be made by blood, for sins committed against that book or the law contained in it. Without this that book would have been to the…

Here we are joined to them by faith and hope; there by sight and fellowship. The company of wicked men is now grievous and tedious to us (Ezekiel 2:6), but we shall have better company hereafter. Here we often part with our choicest friends and acquaintance, but there we shall m…

They kiss the calves. Lifting up the eyes (Ezekiel 2:15). He has not lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel.

Therefore he does not chide them, but encourages them. The like was done in other cases, as to Ezekiel in his trance (Ezekiel 2:1): Son of man arise, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you. So to the apostle John (Revelation 17:18): When I saw him, I lay at his feet as dead…

2. In point of suffering who knows but they may have a deep share! The Prophet's book is written within, as well as without, with lamentation, mourning and woe (Ezekiel 2. ult.). If the Lion roars, who can but fear (Amos 3:8)?

Hence 1. Since we are mere messengers, we cannot breathe life in the word only, like the trumpeter that blows his warm breath through a dead trumpet of brass; but he blows or breathes no valor or courage in the soldiers, that was not in them before. But if the spirit go along an…

For it is a grant of grace to speak with enlargement. 7. If fear and dismayment be on the heart (Jeremiah 1:17), and Ezekiel may not speak at all (Ezekiel 2:6), self must be denied, and shamefastness before Kings (Psalm 119:46; see Psalm 39:1, 2) laid aside. Q. What then shall b…

And Dion relates it, to the honor of Julius Caesar, that Pompey's cabinet of letters coming to his hand, he would not read them, because he was his enemy, and he would be likely to find in them, that which would increase the quarrel; and therefore (as Dr. Reynolds expresses it)…

Isai. 46. 12. Ezekiel 2:4. Ier. 44. 16. REFLECTION.

Thus the Word that came unto them, was a Book which they took in, and gave out without any alteration of one tittle or syllable. Ezekiel 2:8, 9, 10, 11. Chapter 3:3. Revelation 10:9, 10, 11. Section 10.

There are indeed other Watchmen, and that of God's own appointment for the use of this House. Son of man, I have set you a Watchman (Ezekiel 2:11). I have set Watchmen upon your walls (Isaiah 61:6, 7), which in a special manner are the Pastors of the Churches; they watch (Hebrew…

(6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh and the Egyptians would do. 13. There is a wicked hardening of the heart, when men make the Lord his word and mi…

Go (said he to Moses) and declare to him my will, but I will harden his heart, that he obey not (Exodus 21). So when he stirs up Ezekiel, he warns him beforehand that he sends him to a rebellious and stubborn people, to the end that he should not be afraid if he perceives himsel…

And if upon all this (by death or otherwise) such a ministry be withdrawn from you, as God did work by, in some degree, upon you, and you find not in that kind, what is so suitable to your state and case; take heed lest you be stupid under such a stroke. Think what it imports to…

In their promises and pretences; the fool promised himself long life, but was answered with an hac nocte. Many men's riches are like Israel's quails, promise meat, but bring a curse; like Ezekiel's Book (Ezekiel 2:10, 3:3). It tastes like honey, but is written with woes.

2 Of the persons who are deputed to that work. The function of a minister is to quicken such as are dead in sin: to raise up and restore such as are [reconstructed: fallen] back again; to comfort those that are troubled in conscience; to strengthen the weak; to encourage the fai…

For motive: consider, God will make you to know who sent these messengers, that it was not of their own heads, nor on their own errands, that his ministers came to you, but that it was from him (Ezekiel 2:5), and that you have not scoffed and neglected them, but God himself: you…