Ezekiel's vision of] CHAP. I. 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. 9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. 11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. 12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living CHAP. I. [wheels and cherubim. creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. (A) 15 ¶Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. 18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and EXPOSITION. (A) Ver. 1-14. Ezekiel's prophetic call, and introductory vision.-It is difficult to conceive any thing more magnificent or sublime than the scene now before us. It has been considered as the chariot of the Deity; and the living creatures, or cherubic figures as the agents employed to convey it through the universe. Two objects here particularly demand our attention, the vehicle itself, and the animals attached to it. The former we consider as emblematic of the immense machine of Providence (so to speak ;) and the latter of the various agency by which that Providence is administered. The introduction to this scene may remind us of the first cherubic exhibition recorded in the Bible. When God drove Adam without the boundaries of Paradise, he placed there Cherubim and a flaming sword: that is, a terrific revolving flame, in which the Deity is supposed to have resided. (See Gen. iii. 24, with our exposition.) Here we have "a whirlwind from the north, a great cloud, a fire infolding itself," surrounded with a glory, and out. Ver. 11. Stretched upward—that is, the upper pair of wings belonging to each figure being spread open, were, as the margin expresses it," divided," or opened above," and joined to, or touched those of the other figure. of the centre of all this splendour, comes forth the stupendous figures there exhibited. (Comp. also 1 Kings, xix. 12.) With respect to the living creatures, there can be no doubt that they were the seraphim which Isaiah saw when he received his prophetic mission. (Is. vi. 2, &c.) From the readiness also with which Ezekiel knew them to be the Cherubim, as well as the similitude of description, there is as little doubt that they strongly resembled the Mosaic emblems in the temple. Divines, however, are much divided as to the class of intelligences they are intended to represent. The strength and courage of the lion, the patient laboriousness of the ox, and the soaring eye of the eagle, are all proverbial, and "the human face divine" seems the proper emblem of philanthropy. That these attributes are applicable to angels will hardly be denied, or that these angels are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation. (See Heb. i. 14.) That they are also ministers of justice is no less evident from the sacred scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments: but our limits will not admit of amplification. NOTES. Ver. 15. With his four faces-that is, as Abp. N wcome explains it, "One wheel intersected anot her at right angles, like the two colures; and the fo ur spherical portions thus formed, seem to he called the four faces, or sides ;" ver, 17. See ch, x, 13, Vision of wheels] EZEKIEL. their rings were full of eyes round about them four. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. 23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. 24 And when they went, I heard. [and cherubim. the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. 25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings. 26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (B) EXPOSITION-Chap. I. Continued. (B) Ver. 15-28. The vision of the immense wheels and the celestial throne.-The whole vision being now before us, we shall offer a few remarks on its general import, considering it designed to represent, as already hinted, the doctrine of divine agency and a universal providence. 1. We are called upon to admire the immensity and magnificence of God's providence. These wheels (like Jacob's ladder) reached from earth to heaven, extending to all the works and ways of God. The magnitude and the splendour of their appearance, gave them also a high degree of sublimity they were dreadful to behold. -2. Here was a display of infinite wisdom and intelligence. Not only had one of these living creatures the eyes of an eagle, commanding the whole horizon, but the wheels themselves were full of eyes. All the plans of the Almighty are full of intel ligence, and all his agents are under divine guidance.-3. We see the absolute irresistibility of God's providence. The wheels went straight forward, and no impediments could make them change their course.-4. We may remark the unity and harmony of divine providence. Not only was there a perfect consistency between all the parts of this machine, but they were animated with NOTES-Chap. I. Con. Ver. 16. Colour of a beryl-that is, pale sea-green. Ver. 18. Their rings—that is, the outer circles. Ver.22. Firmament upon-rather," expanse over," &c.-See Note on Gen. i. 8.-As the terrible--or "sparkling" crystal; perhaps so called from its resemblance to icicles in the sun: for the word refers primarily to ice, and is here so rendered by New. me and others. 25. And had let down their wings.-These are omitted by the LXX, Syriac, and Arabic, and supposed to be here repeated by mistake from the verse preceding. Ver. 26. Sapphire stone. See Note on Exod. xxiv. 10. Ver. 27. And it had brightness round aboutNewcome," And a brightness was round about him" i. e. the man in glory: "the representative of the invisible God, his ever blessed and only be gotten Son." Compare Rev. iv. 3. a Ezekiel's commission] CHAP. II. CHAP. II. AND he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. 2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. 4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. [and instruction. 6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. 8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10 And he spread it before me: and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe. (C) EXPOSITION. the same spirit.-The spirit which directed these mysterious animals was also in the wheels. 5. We should notice the intricate complication of this machinery, which was, as it were, "a wheel within a wheel:" that is, as Archbishop Newcome and others explain it, consisting of rings crossing within each other, as in an armillary sphere, whereby they could move with equal ease and celerity in any direction.-6. The divine operation which guided them-they had "the hands of a man under their wings on the four sides 46 The hand unseen, "Which moves and guides the vast machine." Above all this mysterious and sublime machinery we have a crystal firmament, and above that firmament a sapphire throne -and on that throne the appearance of a man in glory, who could be no other than the Son of God, in an anticipated human form, surrounded with a radiant flame, and with a brilliant rainbow, as he appeared to the apostle John in the book of Revelations. (Rev. iv. 2, 3. ; x. 1.) CHAP. II. (C) Ezekiel receives his commission, with the roll of prophecies he was to deliver. : The Prophet, having been overwhelmed with the glorious vision in the preceding chapter, is here strengthened and comforted and then commissioned to his office, and encouraged to be resolute and faithful in the discharge of it, although he must expect to be ill received and uncour teously treated. He is addressed by the title "Son of Man," a title applied only to himself and to Daniel, among the prophets, for which, we can assign no reason, unless it were to remind them, that notwithstanding the extraordinary prophetic visions with which they were favoured, they were still but mortal. In the close of this chapter, a hand appears to the prophet, as it should seem in a vision, holding the roll of a book written on both sides; and when spread out, behold it is covered with "lamentations and mourning and woe," alluding doubtless to the nature of these prophecies. This book he is commanded to eat, a figurative action, meaning, according to Archbishop Secker, "to take in, retain, and digest:" from which we may draw this practical reflection, that it is the duty of ministers themselves, to study and digest whatever they deliver to their people. (Comp. ch. iii. 10.) NOTES. CHAP. II. Ver. 2. The spirit entered into me.— By this it should seem, that the prophet had been overpowered with the vision, and had fainted. Ver.4. Impudent children-Heb. "Children hard of face." Ver. 8. Eat that I give thee-that is, the book, ver. 9, 10. Compare Rev. x. 9. Ver. 10. It was written within and without-that is, on both sides, which was not usual, except from the abundance of matter. 5 Our necks are under persecution; we labour, and have no rest. 6 We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread. 7 Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities. 8 Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand. 9 We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness. 10 Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine. 11 They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah. 12 Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured. 13 They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood. CHAP. V. [estate bewailed 14 The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick. 15 The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourn ing. 16 The crown is fallen from our head woe unto us, that we have sinned! 17 For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim. 18 Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it. 19 Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation. so long 20 Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us time? 21 Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. 22 But thou hast utterly rejected us: thou art very wroth against us.(Q) EXPOSITION. (Q) Zion's complaint and prayer to God. "In the Syriac, Arabic, and Vulgate versions this chapter is entitled The Prayer of Jeremiah; but no such title appears, either in the Hebrew or the Septuagint: it is rather a memorial, representing, in the name of the whole body of Jewish exiles, the many and grievous hardships they groaned under, and humbly entreating God to commiserate their wretchedness, and to restore them once more to his favour, and to their ancient prosperity. The whole may be considered as an epilogue or conclusion, well adapted to the contents of the preceding chapters. NOTES. CHAP. V. Ver. 4. Is sold unto us-Heb. "Cometh for price;" i. e. they were obliged to purchase, not only wood, but water also. Ver. 5. Our necks are under persecution-Heb. "On our necks are we persecuted!" i. c. we are under the yoke of foreigners. Ver. 6. We have given the hand-i. e. submitted. See Jer. 1. 15. Ver. 9. The sword of the wilderness-that is, the Arabian free-booters, to which they were probably exposed, in seeking for wood, &c. Ver. 10. Our skin was black-that is, scorched, or burnt, by the heat of the climate, with the want of drink and food. See Job xxx. 30; Jer. iv. 8; viii. 21. Ver. 12. Princes are hanged by their hand-i.e. tied up by one hand and left to perish: a cruel mode of execution, sometimes practised. Ver. 13. Under the wood-that is, under the bar dens of wood they were compelled to carry. Ver. 16. The crown is fallen from our head-Heb. "The crown of our head is fallen," Ver. 20. So long time-Heb. "For length of days." Ver. 22. But thou hast, &c.-Marg. “Wilt thou utterly reject us?" END OF THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH. THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. INTRODUCTION. "WE have now come to the prophecies of Ezekiel, which were addressed to the captives at Babylon, before and after the captivity of Zedekiah, and the destruction of the temple. They must therefore be delivered at the same time, and against the same crimes against which Jeremiah was denouncing the judgments of God at Jerusalem. Both prophets predicted the same events, promised to the faithful the same consolations, and threatened the disobedient and idolatrous among their countrymen with the same punishments. Both prophets united in denunciation against the false prophets, and in anticipations of the ultimate restoration of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity.” Ezekiel, as himself tells us, (chap. i. 3.) was a priest, as well as Jeremiah, though of a a different family; he was carried captive from Jerusalem at the same time with Jehoiachin, and stationed on the borders of the river Chebar, where he continued statedly to reside. In the fifth year of this captivity, the era from which he dates his prophecies, Ezekiel began his office, which he exercised about 25 years. The commencement of this period falls on the year before Christ 595, and 34 years after Jeremiah had begun his office; so that the last eight years of Jeremiah coincide with the first eight of Ezekiel. The design of this prophet seems to be, chiefly, to convince his fellow captives in Babylon, that they were mistaken in supposing that their brethren, who still remained in Judea, were in happier circumstances than themselves: for this end, he describes the awful judgments impending over that country, with the complete destruction of Jerusalem, both city and temple; and inveighs against those heinous sins which were the cause of such calamities. As to the style of the prophet Ezekiel, Bishop Lowth, the most unquestionable judge of Hebrew composition, thus describes it: "Ezekiel is much inferior to Jeremiah in elegance; in sublimity, he is not even excelled by Isaiah: but his sublimity is of a totally different kind.-He is deep, vehement, tragical; the only sensation he affects to excite, is the terrible; his sentiments are elevated, fervid, full of fire, indignant," &c. He is generally charged with being obscure; but his obscurity is that necessary to the sublime; and the great critic just quoted remarks, "His diction is sufficiently perspicuous; all his obscurity consists in the nature of the subject."+ In our Introduction to Isaiah we have remarked, that the prophets frequently made use of actions as well as words, in the delivery of their predictions; and this was particularly the case with Ezekiel, "who delineates the siege of Jerusalem on a tileweighs the hair of his beard in balances-carries out his household stuff-and joins together the two sticks of Judah and Israel. By these actions, the prophets instructed the people in the will of God, and conversed with them in signs: but where God teaches the prophet, and in compliance with the custom of that time, condescends to the same mode of instruction, then the signification is generally changed into a vision, either natural or extraordinary, as (in the prophet Ezekiel) the ideal scene of the resurrection of dry bones." ‡ Townsend's O. Test. arranged, vol. ii, p. 529. + Lowth's Lect. xxi. See Bp. Warburton's Divine Legat, vol. iii. bk. 4. 2. 4. quoted Townsend's O, T. arran, vol. ii, p. 437. |