Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 12:26
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
26 28. If others did not go so far as to disregard prophecy altogether, they concluded that the prophecies bore reference to the future, and that the judgments threatened would not come in their day (Isa 39:8). This also was an inference not unnatural. The prophecies of the true prophets were moral and designed even when threatening to turn men away from their sins, and thus in a manner to frustrate their own fulfilment. They were not absolute predictions, but conditional threats, which might be averted on repentance and amendment (Jonah; Jeremiah 18; Joe 2:14). And in point of fact the most terrible threatenings of judgment were connected with the “day of the Lord,” which might be supposed not very near (Isa 5:18-19). Cf. on Eze 12:22; Hab 2:3.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Again; for instructing some that were seduced by those scoffers forementioned.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Again, the word of the Lord came to me, saying. This is repeated to confirm what was before spoken, and that they might assure themselves that there would be a certain and speedy accomplishment of what the Lord had said by his prophet.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here indeed such detestable blasphemy as we lately heard is not condemned in the Jews: but oblique ridicule, the tendency of which was first of all to weaken all confidence in Prophecy, and then to get rid of all heavenly doctrine. Those who are now condemned by the Prophet did not dare to bluster against God with swollen cheeks, but when others concluded the Prophecies to be vain and frivolous, because the time was put off, they said — it may happen that God will accomplish what he has denounced against us by his servant: meanwhile let us feast securely as we shall be dead before these things can happen. We see, therefore, that there were two classes of men: some who utterly rejected God’s Prophets, and wantonly derided their threats: this gross impiety has been already exposed. But others neither openly nor distinctly pronounced God to be a liar, but put far away from them the performance of the prophetic announcement. We see that the former were so abandoned, that they all but openly derided God, so as to turn away all fear from their own feelings since God prorogued the time. For Jeremiah had spent his strength in vain for many years in daily summoning them by a loud trumpet to God’s tribunal, and in setting the Chaldeans before their eyes. Since he effected nothing, Ezekiel is chosen, and after he has inveighed against a fouler impudence in despising God, he now attacks the hypocrite who had not yet proceeded so far as to vilify God by the use of words. But as I have just remarked, the gliding down from this security to open contempt of God is easy. Those then who feign themselves quiet and without danger, since God patiently delays his judgments, at length determine him to be content with his own ease, and not to regard human affairs. Let us then be on our guard against the snares of Satan; and not only abhor the foul blasphemy of which the Prophet speaks, but as soon as God threatens us, let us prevent his judgment, and not promise ourselves a long period of escape, which may render us so stupid as to deprive us of all fear.
The house of Israel then said, he prophesies for many days. They did not openly assert that Ezekiel was speaking rashly and arrogating to himself the prophetic name, but they said that he prophesied for many days and a long period. Now he adds, thou shalt say unto them, it shall not be any lower put off Some thus interpret these words — all my discourses shall not be put off. They prefer a change of number, and resolve it thus — each of my words shall not be put. off. But the other view seems to suit the context better: it shall not be put off any lower, for the words which I utter I will execute Here again he confirms what we formerly saw: that God would not speak in vain, since he is not divided in opinion. It belongs to men to lie, and to utter vainly what they cannot perform, and to change their; nothing of the kind ought to be imagined of God, for his hand is always in union with his speech. (271)
(271) The reader may profitably peruse the comment of CEcolampadius on this chapter. He spiritualizes it more than Calvin, and treats it allegorically, thus giving it a personal and practical bearing on ourselves. He says, “ Unica et perpetua allegoria est, propter contemptum verbi Dei instare captivitatem conscientiarum, et alienationem a Jerusalem, a vero Dei cultu, qui est iu spiritu et veritate; unde servilia opera peccatorum in sabbatismo Christi vetantur.” His explanations are always sound, and his practical reflections very instructive.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
26-28. Some who still retained their faith in prophecy, and were even inclined to accept Jeremiah and Ezekiel as true prophets, yet comforted themselves in their disobedience by saying that the times of trouble and judgment of which the prophet spoke were far in the future (Isa 39:8). Perhaps, as in other cases, the people would repent and the prophecy be averted (Jonah; Jer 18:8; Joe 2:14). But against this Ezekiel replies that Jehovah has explicitly declared that the fulfillment of his threatening shall not be postponed longer, “but the word which I shall speak [Eze 12:25 ] shall be done, saith Jehovah Elohim.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Again the word of Yahweh came to me saying, “Son of man, behold, those of the house of Israel are saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days to come, and he prophecies of times that are far off.’ ” ’
Yahweh well knew the hearts of some of the men to whom Ezekiel prophesied. They considered his prophecies interesting, and similar to the warnings of past prophets. They did not deny that they would happen, but they assured themselves that they applied to well in the future. The ‘day of Yahweh’ was well in the future. For the present it was irrelevant. Such things could not happen now. How easily we too can so dismiss the warnings of the Bible. Life goes on, and seemingly nothing disturbs it. But for us too God will one day say, ‘The time has come’.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
This fourth Sermon closeth as the former, and the purport is to the same amount. The Lord’s ways are sure, and none of his words can fall to the ground. And what a sweet thought is this, to the believer in Jesus: how alarming soever it becomes to the despiser of His great name! Precious Lord Jesus! be it my portion ever to keep in remembrance thy word, and do Thou fulfil that sweet promise to my heart. Joh 14:23 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Eze 12:26 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Ver. 26. Again the word. ] See on Eze 12:1 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eze 12:26-28
26Furthermore, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 27Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,’ declares the Lord GOD.
Eze 12:26-28 See note at Eze 12:21-25.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Eze 12:26-28
Eze 12:26-28
“Again the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of times that are far off. Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: There shall none of my words be deferred any more, but the word which I shall speak shall be performed, saith the Lord Jehovah.”
ANOTHER FALSE PROVERB REFUTED
Although the problem created by this false proverb was very similar to the one addressed in the previous paragraph, “There is a slight variation. The gainsayers are not saying here that, `The vision faileth’; they indeed recognize Ezekiel as a prophet; but they throw the fulfillment of his words into the far distant future.
The refutation of such false views would appear in the complete fulfilment of the prophecies in the very near future. From the time of this chapter until the total ruin of Jerusalem and all Judah, along with the slaughter of most of the people, the burning of the temple, the capture, blinding, and captivity of their king, and the deportation of the pitiful remnant to Babylon where they would join their other unbelieving brethren in their captivity until it was all fulfilled was only a matter of four or five years. When? All of this, the last ugly detail of it, happened within a time-frame of only four or five years. Allowing some eighteen months for the siege, the events prophesied in this very chapter began to unfold only three and one half years after the prophecies were given to Ezekiel.
The Exile Symbolized – Eze 12:1-28
Open It
1. When have you discovered-too late-that you were wrong to assume that you or your belongings were safe?
2. What is your favorite (stage, television, movie) drama, and why do you find it compelling?
Explore It
3. What was Gods description of the rebelliousness of Israel? (Eze 12:1-2)
4. What did God command Ezekiel to do in order to “act out” the prophecy he was giving? (Eze 12:3-6)
5. How did Ezekiel report that he responded to Gods command? (Eze 12:7)
6. How did God tell Ezekiel to interpret his actions to make them clear to the people? (Eze 12:8-11)
7. According to the prophecy, what would happen to the prince of Jerusalem? (Eze 12:12-14)
8. What point did God wish to make by scattering the inhabitants of Jerusalem? (Eze 12:15)
9. For what purpose did God intend to spare a few people from “sword, famine and plague”? (Eze 12:16)
10. What was the symbolic meaning of the way God told Ezekiel to eat his food? (Eze 12:17-20)
11. What proverb was heard frequently in the city of Jerusalem at the time? (Eze 12:22)
12. How did God promise to respond to the false proverb that was common in Jerusalem? (Eze 12:22-25)
13. How did God tell Ezekiel to respond to the common wisdom that Ezekiels prophecies were about a time in the distant future? (Eze 12:26-28)
Get It
14. Why do you think God wanted Ezekiel to “act out” his prophecies?
15. What was revealed about the Israelites in exile when they didnt understand Ezekiels actions?
16. Why does God bother to speak to human beings when He knows we are rebellious?
17. Why is it dangerous to fail to take Gods Word seriously, even when we dont see the immediate fulfillment or importance of it?
18. About which commands of God do you tend to think, “That doesnt mean me,” or “That doesnt mean now”?
19. What is Gods part in enabling us to know His will, and what does He leave up to us?
Apply It
20. How can you be sure that you have “eyes to see” and “ears to hear” whenever you read or hear Gods Word?
21. In what concrete way can you “act out” Gods message through your relationships this week?
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Reciprocal: Jer 15:6 – I am
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 12:26. The frequent repetition of such language as this verse will keep us mindful that the prophet was being inspired by the Lord in all his utterances.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
The imminent fulfillment of prophecies of Jerusalem’s destruction 12:26-28
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Some of the people were saying that the prophecies about coming judgment were true, but they would not come to pass for a long time.
"Rebelliousness (Eze 12:25) can take many forms, some of them even quite pious (’How do I know which preacher to believe, which church is right?’). In Ezekiel’s day it was ’How do I know which prophet is correct (Eze 12:24), which prophecy applies to me (Eze 12:27)?’" [Note: Stuart, p. 116.]