Commentary on Ezekiel Chapters 1-20 John Calvin (continued)
Ezekiel 14
CHAPTER 14
Ezekiel 14:1-3
1. Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
1. Et venerunt ad me viri ex senioribus Israel, et sederunt coram facie mea. 304
2. And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2. Et fuit sermo Iehovae ad me, dicendo,
3. Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?
3. Fili hominis, viri isti ascendere fecerunt idola sua super cor suum, et offendiculum iniquitatis suae posuerunt coram facie sua. An quaerendo quaerar ipsis? 305
Here Ezekiel relates an event worthy of notice. For this was not a mere vision, but a real transaction, since some of the elders of Israel came to him for the sake of consultation. He says that he sat, as men who are perplexed and astonished by evils are accustomed to do, when they see no remedy. The gesture then which the Prophet describes was a sign of anxiety and despair. A person wishing for an answer is said to sit before another; but since it is probable that they disputed among themselves about beginning, and did not immediately discover how they should commence, hence they became anxious to consult the Prophet. Ezekiel, indeed, might be touched and softened by pity when he saw them seeking God in this way. For this was a sign of repentance when they turned to the true and faithful servant of God. But since they had no sincerity, the Prophet is warned in time against supposing them to come with cordiality. Hence God instructs his servant not to give way with too much facility when he sees old men coming to be disciples. But he shows
304"At my face." — Calvin. 305Or, "by them." — Calvin.