Therefore say In vindication of the captives; Although I have cast them far off Not from myself, but from you and your polluted land, and out of the way of the dreadful judgments which are approaching; among the heathen The Chaldeans, or those among whom the Chaldeans have placed them; and have scattered them among the countries Have separated them from each other, and dispersed them in many countries; yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary A sanctuary, or a refuge and protection “for a short time,” (so Bishop Newcome,) that is, during the seventy years' captivity; or a little one in opposition to the great temple at Jerusalem; which, when its inhabitants were in the greatest need, should afford them the least help. But I, says God, will really be to my captives what the proud, self-deceiving Jews promise themselves from their temple, namely, their defence, support, and comfort. To me shall they flee, and in me shall they be safe, as he was that took hold on the horns of the altar. Or rather, they shall have such communion with me in the land of their captivity, as it was thought could be had nowhere but in the temple. They shall have the tokens of my presence with them, and my grace in their hearts shall sanctify their prayers and praises, as truly as ever the altar at the temple sanctified the gift. Observe, reader, they that are deprived of the benefit of public ordinances, if it be not their own fault, may have the want of them abundantly supplied in the immediate communications of divine grace and comforts.
Related Commentaries of Ezekiel 11:16
Ezekiel 11:16
16 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.