Ezekiel 13:5 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Ye, vulpine prophets. As in a besieged city whose wall is broken down and the enemy ready to enter, a valiant, faithful, and vigilant soldier would run up into the breach to repel the enemy; so true prophets do partly by prayer, and partly by doctrine, and partly by personal reformation, labour to preserve God's people. But, fox-like, they have shifted out of harm's way. Neither made up the hedge: the house of Israel is the Lord's vineyard, through the hedge whereof many breaches are made, through which wild and wasting beasts come in and devour the grapes, and spoil the vines; but you have not stopped those breaches, but, fox-like, come in and pulled off the tender grapes, and done the most mischief; you have increased sin and danger thereby. And when the Lord's wrath shall give up the city, you will not stand to oppose the enemy breaking in; so useless will these be at last. To stand; not with arms, but with fasting, prayers, repentance, laying hold on the arm of the Lord, and interceding for his people. In the battle, which God will by the Chaldeans fight against the house of Israel. In that day of the Lord the weapons of war will not prevail against the Chaldeans, unless prayers, tears, and amendment prevail with the Lord to withdraw the battle, and be at peace with Israel.

Ezekiel 13:5

5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps,b neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.