‏ Ezekiel 4

* The siege of Jerusalem. (1-8) The famine the inhabitants would

suffer. (9-17)

1-8 The prophet was to represent the siege of Jerusalem by

signs. He was to lie on his left side for a number of days,

supposed to be equal to the years from the establishment of

idolatry. All that the prophet sets before the children of his

people, about the destruction of Jerusalem, is to show that sin

is the provoking cause of the ruin of that once flourishing

city. 9-17 The bread which was Ezekiel's support, was to be made of

coarse grain and pulse mixed together, seldom used except in

times of urgent scarcity, and of this he was only to take a

small quantity. Thus was figured the extremity to which the Jews

were to be reduced during the siege and captivity. Ezekiel does

not plead, Lord, from my youth I have been brought up

delicately, and never used to any thing like this; but that he

had been brought up conscientiously, and never had eaten any

thing forbidden by the law. It will be comfortable when we are

brought to suffer hardships, if our hearts can witness that we

have always been careful to keep even from the appearance of

evil. See what woful work sin makes, and acknowledge the

righteousness of God herein. Their plenty having been abused to

luxury and excess, they were justly punished by famine. When men

serve not God with cheerfulness in the abundance of all things,

God will make them serve their enemies in the want of all

things.