15 Then I came H935 to them of the captivity H1473 at Telabib, H8512 that dwelt H3427 by the river H5104 of Chebar, H3529 and I sat H3427 where they sat, H3427 and remained H3427 there astonished H8074 among H8432 them seven H7651 days. H3117
So they sat down H3427 with him upon the ground H776 seven H7651 days H3117 and seven H7651 nights, H3915 and none spake H1696 a word H1697 unto him: for they saw H7200 that his grief H3511 was very H3966 great. H1431
By the rivers H5104 of Babylon, H894 there we sat down, H3427 yea, we wept, H1058 when we remembered H2142 Zion. H6726
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth H7970 year, H8141 in the fourth H7243 month, in the fifth H2568 day of the month, H2320 as I was among H8432 the captives H1473 by the river H5104 of Chebar, H3529 that the heavens H8064 were opened, H6605 and I saw H7200 visions H4759 of God. H430
Mine heart H3820 within H7130 me is broken H7665 because of the prophets; H5030 all my bones H6106 shake; H7363 I am like a drunken H7910 man, H376 and like a man H1397 whom wine H3196 hath overcome, H5674 because H6440 of the LORD, H3068 and because of the words H1697 of his holiness. H6944
And the cherubims H3742 were lifted up. H7426 This is the living creature H2416 that I saw H7200 by the river H5104 of Chebar. H3529
And it was according to the appearance H4758 of the vision H4758 which I saw, H7200 even according to the vision H4758 that I saw H7200 when I came H935 to destroy H7843 the city: H5892 and the visions H4759 were like the vision H4758 that I saw H7200 by the river H5104 Chebar; H3529 and I fell H5307 upon my face. H6440
When I heard, H8085 my belly H990 trembled; H7264 my lips H8193 quivered H6750 at the voice: H6963 rottenness H7538 entered H935 into my bones, H6106 and I trembled H7264 in myself, that I might rest H5117 in the day H3117 of trouble: H6869 when he cometh up H5927 unto the people, H5971 he will invade them with his troops. H1464
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ezekiel 3
Commentary on Ezekiel 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
In this chapter we have the further preparation of the prophet for the work to which God called him.
Eze 3:1-15
These verses are fitly joined by some translators to the foregoing chapter, as being of a piece with it and a continuation of the same vision. The prophets received the word from God that they might deliver it to the people of God, furnished themselves that they might furnish them with the knowledge of the mind and will of God. Now here the prophet is taught,
Eze 3:16-21
These further instructions God gave to the prophet at the end of seven days, that is, on the seventh day after the vision he had; and it is very probably that both that and this were on the sabbath day, which the house of Israel, even in their captivity, observed as well as they could in those circumstances. We do not find that their conquerors and oppressors tied them to any constant service, as their Egyptian task-masters had formerly done, but that they might observe the sabbath-rest for a sign to distinguish between them and their neighbours; but for the sabbath-work they had not the convenience of temple or synagogue, only it should seem they had a place by the river side where prayer was wont to be made (as Acts 16:13); there they met on the sabbath day; there their enemies upbraided them with the songs of Zion (Ps. 137:1, 3); there Ezekiel met them, and the word of the Lord then and there came to him. He that had been musing and meditating on the things of God all the week was fit to speak to the people in God's name on the sabbath day, and disposed to hear God speak to him. This sabbath day Ezekiel was not so honoured with visions of the glory of God as he had been the sabbath before; but he is plainly, and by a very common similitude, told his duty, which he is to communicate to the people. Note, Raptures and transports of joy are not the daily bread of God's children, however they may upon special occasions be feasted with them. We must not deny but that we have truly communion with God (1 Jn. 1:3) though we have it not always so sensibly as at some times. And, though the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven may sometimes be looked into, yet ordinarily it is plain preaching that is most for edification. God here tells the prophet what his office was, and what the duty of that office; and this (we may suppose) he was to tell the people, that they might attend to what he said and improve it accordingly. Note, It is good for people to know and consider what a charge their ministers have of them and what an account they must shortly give of that charge. Observe,
Eze 3:22-27
After all this large and magnificent discovery which God had made of himself to the prophet, and the full instructions he had given him how to deal with those to whom he sent him with an ample commission, we should have expected presently to see him preaching the word of God to a great congregation of Israel; but here we find it quite otherwise. his work here, at first, seems not at all proportionable to the pomp of his call.