Ezekiel:20

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mhcc @Ezekiel:20:1-9 . @ Verse 1-9 . - Those hearts are wretchedly hardened which ask God leave to go on in sin , and that even when suffering for it ; see ver . mhcc @Ezekiel:20:32 . @ Verse 32 . -. God is justly angry with those who are resolved to go on still in their trespasses . Cause the people to know the evil deeds of their fathers , that they may see how righteous it was with God to cut them off . mhcc @Ezekiel:20:10-26 . @ Verse 10-26 . - The history of Israel in the wilderness is referred to in the new Testament as well as in the Old , for warning . God did great things for them . He gave them the law , and revived the ancient keeping of the sabbath day . Sabbaths are privileges ; they are signs of our being his people . If we do the duty of the day , we shall find , to our comfort , it is the Lord that makes us holy , that is , truly happy , here ; and prepares us to be happy , that is , perfectly holy , hereafter . The Israelites rebelled , and were left to the judgments they brought upon themselves . God sometimes makes sin to be its own punishment , yet he is not the Author of sin : there needs no more to make men miserable , than to give them up to their own evil desires and passions . * Verse 27-32 - The Jews persisted in rebellion after they settled in the land of Canaan . And these elders seem to have thought of uniting with the heathen . We make nothing by our profession if it be but a profession . There is nothing got by sinful compliances ; and the carnal projects of hypocrites will stand them in no stead . * Verse 33-44 - The wicked Israelites , notwithstanding they follow the sinful ways of other nations , shall not mingle with them in their prosperity , but shall be separated from them for destruction . There is no shaking off God 's dominion ; and those who will not yield to the power of his grace , shall sink under the power of his wrath . But not one of God 's jewels shall be lost in the lumber of this world . He will bring the jews to the land of Israel again ; and will give them true repentance . They will be overcome with his kindness : the more we know of God 's holiness , the more we see the hateful nature of sin . Those who remain unaffected amidst means of grace , and would live without Christ , like the world around them , may be sure it is the way to destruction . * Verse 45-49 - Judah and Jerusalem had been full of people , as a forest of trees , but empty of fruit . God 's word prophesies against those who bring not forth the fruits of righteousness . When He will ruin a nation , who or what can save it ? The plainest truths were as parables to the people . It is common for those who will not be wrought upon by the word , to blame it . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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