For they have filled, &c.— The last clause of this verse seems evidently misunderstood; the therefore in the following verse plainly pointing out that sense which the LXX, and other versions, give it. They are those who mock me, or publicly affront me. Those commentators, however, who defend the present version, suppose that it alludes to some custom among the idolaters, of dedicating a branch of laurel or some other tree to the sun, and carrying it in their hands at the time of their worship; a rite which was called among the Greeks οσχοφορια, θαλλοφορια, &c. See the lexicographers on those words, and Spencer de Leg. Heb. lib. 4: cap. 5.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The days seem now to have been expired, during which the prophet was to lie on his side; and a new vision is revealed to him, dated in the sixth year of Jehoiakin's captivity.
1. He sat in his house, and the elders of Judah before him. Probably it was a sabbath, and they were now assembled for the worship of God, or to consult the prophet in their present distressed circumstances: for affliction will often drive those to God's prophets, who in their prosperity despised their admonitions.
2. Then suddenly a divine extasy seized him, in the presence of the elders, and a glorious personage appeared, as fire from the loins downwards, and upwards bright and glittering: the same probably as chap. Ezekiel 1:26-27 even the Lord Jesus, clothed with majesty and glory, burning with love towards his saints, and a consuming fire to his enemies.
3. The prophet is caught away in vision to Jerusalem. Swift as thought he passes through the air, and at the inner gate of the temple is let down to observe what is there transacted. This seems to have been entirely transacted in vision, and not any real or local removal of the prophet from Chaldea.
4. He records what he saw there. [1.] He beheld the same glorious vision which had appeared to him before in the plain, chap. Ezekiel 3:22-23. God had not yet deserted his temple, though he was now about to do it, provoked by their daring profaneness, impiety, and base ingratitude. [2.] He beheld the image of jealously set up close by the northern gate of the inner court, where stood the altar of burnt-offering. What this image was, we are not told; the major part of the commentators, I think, consider it as the idol Baal, 2 Kings 21:7. But nothing could be conceived more affronting to God; nor could they have contrived a more effectual method to provoke the eyes of his jealousy. Well, therefore, may he bid the prophet behold these abominations with wonder and detestation, and urge the justice of his departure from a people so desperately wicked! But greater abominations yet remained. Note; (1.) When we set up the idols of pride, lust, and covetousness in our hearts, which should be the temples of the Holy Ghost, we become criminal like those who bowed to Baal. (2.) They who provoke God by their sins to depart from them, have only themselves to blame for the ruin which ensues.
2nd, The farther the prophet goes, the more his indignation is moved.
1. He is led to the court of the priests, and behold, a hole in the wall of one of their chambers, which he is commanded to enlarge, that he might see more distinctly what was done there; and when he had opened a passage, he came to a door, at which he is bid to enter, and observe what passed within. Note; (1.) They who would know the mystery of iniquity within must dig deep into the hidden corners of their hearts. (2.) Hypocrites think often to hide their iniquities; but some unguarded place betrays their wickedness, and exposes their shame. (3.) Many make a fair shew in God's house in public, who, if followed to the secret chambers, would be found sunk in abominations.
2. A scene of shocking wickedness is here laid open. Behold, every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts: so immersed were they in idolatry, that even to the vilest reptiles, and the most odious and impure animals, they paid their adorations. On the walls around were pourtrayed all the idols of Israel; and seventy elders, the whole great sanhedrim, and in the midst of them Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, each with his censer, offered a cloud of incense to those hated deities; intimating, how entirely the whole nation was infected with idolatry, when the great men, princes and priests together, were so devoted. thereunto, and so liberal in their oblations. Note; When, they who should be examples to restrain others, are themselves ringleaders in iniquity, the corruption of a nation must needs become general.
3. God bids him observe these abominations, done indeed in the dark: but what darkness or shadow of death can hide the workers of wickedness from his all-seeing eye? And they say, the Lord seeth us not, the Lord hath forsaken the earth; as if he had deserted them, would pay no regard to them in their distress, and therefore they had recourse to the gods of the nations for help. Note; (1.) The heart of man is naturally like these chambers of imagery; abominations pass there, which the sun would blush to behold. (2.) The day will come, when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed: what a day of terror and confusion to the impenitent and unpardoned! (3.) All sin is at bottom practical atheism. (4.) They who embolden themselves in iniquity by the flattering hope that the Lord hath forsaken the earth, shall find, by the judgments that he will inflict, how near he is to vindicate his injured honour.
3rdly, Farther abominations pass in review before the prophet.
1. At the north gate of the temple sat women weeping for Tammuz; probably the Adonis of the Grecians, beloved of Venus, according to the heathen fable, and slain by a wild boar. In honour, therefore, of this goddess, they observed the anniversary of his death with mourning and tears, and dared, even in the gate of the Lord's house, to appear celebrating the shameful service.
2. In the inner court, the most sacred inclosure between the porch and the altar, where the priests ministered, there stood about five and twenty men, their backs turned to the temple, their faces to the east, adoring the rising sun.
3. God bids the prophet observe with wonder what he saw, and appeals to him concerning the aggravated guilt of this abandoned people. They made light of their dreadful provocations; and even there, in God's own house, performed their idolatrous rites. They filled the land also with violence, and then returned to provoke God to anger; for, while such wickedness was committed, their very sacrifices must needs be an abomination: and lo, they put the branch to their nose, some nosegay perhaps of flowers, which they held forth or smelled to in honour of their idols; or, as some read the words, they put the branch to their wrath, or his wrath, or they are those who mock him, adding fresh fuel to the fierceness of the divine wrath which burns against them. Therefore will I also deal in fury, pouring on them the vengeance due to their iniquities, and judgment without mercy; which all their prayers and tears shall not be able to avert. When sinners have turned their backs on God, it is but just for him to turn his back on them, and be deaf to their cries in the day of their calamity.