111 Moreover, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the Lord'S house which faced eastward . And behold , there were twenty-five e men at the entrance of the gate , and among them I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah , leaders of the people . 2 He said to me, "Son of man , these are the men who devise iniquity and give evil advice in this city , 3 who say , 'The time is not near to build houses . This city is the pot and we are the flesh .' 4 "Therefore , prophesy against them, son of man , prophesy !" 5 Then the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and He said to me, "Say , 'Thus says the Lord , "So you think , house of Israel , for I know your thoughts e . 6 "You have multiplied your slain in this city , filling its streets with them." 7 'Therefore , thus says the Lord GOD , "Your slain whom you have laid in the midst of the city are the flesh and this city is the pot ; but I will bring you out of it. 8 "You have feared a sword ; so I will bring a sword upon you," the Lord GOD declares . 9 "And I will bring you out of the midst of the city and deliver you into the hands of strangers and execute judgments against you. 10 "You will fall by the sword . I will judge you to the border of Israel ; so you shall know that I am the Lord . 11 "This city will not be a pot for you, nor will you be flesh in the midst of it, but I will judge you to the border of Israel . 12 "Thus you will know that I am the Lord ; for you have not walked in My statutes nor have you executed My ordinances , but have acted according to the ordinances of the nations around you.""' 13 Now it came about as I prophesied , that Pelatiah son of Benaiah died . Then I fell on my face and cried out with a loud voice and said , " Alas , Lord GOD ! Will You bring the remnant of Israel to a complete end ?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 11:1-13
Commentary on Ezekiel 11:1-13
(Read Ezekiel 11:1-13)
Where Satan cannot persuade men to look upon the judgment to come as uncertain, he gains his point by persuading them to look upon it as at a distance. These wretched rulers dare to say, We are as safe in this city as flesh in a boiling pot; the walls of the city shall be to us as walls of brass, we shall receive no more damage from the besiegers than the caldron does from the fire. When sinners flatter themselves to their own ruin, it is time to tell them they shall have no peace if they go on. None shall remain in possession of the city but those who are buried in it. Those are least safe who are most secure. God is often pleased to single out some sinners for warning to others. Whether Pelatiah died at that time in Jerusalem, or when the fulfilment of the prophecy drew near, is uncertain. Like Ezekiel, we ought to be much affected with the sudden death of others, and we should still plead with the Lord to have mercy on those who remain.