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Scott's Reference Library
Ezekiel 33:7 through Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV)
7“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear
the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8When I say to the wicked, ‘O
wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from
his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable
for his blood. 9But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he
does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.
10“Son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our
offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How
then can we live?”’ 11Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign
LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn
from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O
house of Israel?’
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-9
The prophet is a watchman to the house of Israel. His business is to warn
sinners of their misery and danger. He must warn the wicked to turn from their
way, that they may live. If souls perish through his neglect of duty, he brings
guilt upon himself. See what those have to answer for, who make excuses for sin,
flatter sinners, and encourage them to believe they shall have peace, though
they go on. How much wiser are men in their temporal than in their spiritual
concerns! They set watchmen to guard their houses, and sentinels to warn of the
enemies’ approach, but where the everlasting happiness or misery of the soul is
at stake, they are offended if ministers obey their Master’s command, and give a
faithful warning; they would rather perish, listening to smooth things.
VERSES 10-20
Those who despaired of finding mercy with God, are answered with a solemn
declaration of God’s readiness to show mercy. The ruin of the city and state was
determined, but that did not relate to the final state of persons. God says to
the righteous, that he shall surely live. But many who have made profession,
have been ruined by proud confidence in themselves. Man trusts to his own
righteousness, and presuming on his own sufficiency, he is brought to commit
iniquity. If those who have lived a wicked life repent and forsake their wicked
ways, they shall be saved. Many such amazing and blessed changes have been
wrought by the power of Divine grace. When there is a settled separation between
a man and sin, there shall no longer be a separation between him and God.