Commentary on Ezekiel Chapters 1-20 John Calvin
EZEKIEL
same time, he felt within him something human, since the power of the Spirit had not extinguished all sorrow. We hold, therefore, that the Prophet was in some degree inspired by the Spirit, and yet that his own spirit was bitter He adds, and the hand of Jehovah was strong upon me By ``hand,'' some understand prophecy, but in my opinion ignorantly: I do not doubt that its meaning is power or authority. He says, the hand of God was strong, because he ought to obey God, although the bitterness of which he spoke should draw him in a contrary direction. As Paul says, (2 Corinthians 5:14, and Philippians 1:23,) that he was constrained by a zeal of God, so also the Prophet signifies that he was constrained by the secret instinct of the Spirit, so that he did not act from human motives, nor yet obey the wishes of his own mind, nor follow his own individual will, but was only intent on rendering obedience to God.
In this sense, then, he says, that the hand of God was strong upon him Otherwise it might be objected --- why did he not fall away when he was so oppressed with grief, and anxiety so overwhelmed his spirit? he replies, the hand of God was strong and prevailed, since otherwise he would have failed a hundred times, had he not been supported by the power of God. And thus we see that there was some repugnance in the Prophet, since as man he was affected with sorrow, but the power of the Holy
Spirit ruled over him, so that he denied himself and all his human affections.
Ezekiel 3:15
15. Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
15. Et veni ad transmigrationem 73 in Thelabib: sedebant 74 autem prope flumen
Chebar: illic ipsi sedebant; et sedi etiam illic septem diebus, obstupescens 75 in medio ipsorum.
Now he says, that he had returned to his own people, not that he had ever removed from them, but had been drawn by the vision from the intercourse with men.
For God revealed himself to him on the bank of the river Chebar, but he was solitary: and that this was done by vision, is by no means doubtful, since he was always among his own people. How then does he say, that he is now returned? Why, because the vision had vanished, and so he was entirely occupied with the other captives. What some affirm with subtlety, that he was like a monk, is frivolous: for they say, that he abhorred the wickedness of the people, and, that he might not contract any stain of impurity, had sought solitude: but this is not probable. Without doubt., the Prophet means that he returned to his former mode of life from the time when he heard God speaking and saw the vision. He then says --- I sat seven days in some way absorbed in either admiration or sorrow, for {,}שמםshemew, signifies ``to* be desolate,'' ``to* be astonished,'' ``to* wonder.'' But as to the Prophet sitting quiet and silent for seven days,* there is little doubt but that in this way God prepared him for beginning to speak afterwards to the greater surprise of the whole people.
Nor ought it to seem absurd that he was dumb although sent by God:: for this did 73That is, to the captives. — Calvin. 74Literally, the passing over of those sitting — Calvin. 75Or, desolate — Calvin.