Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.
It is not near - namely, the destruction of the city; therefore "let us build houses," as if there was no fear. But the Hebrew х bªnowt (H1129) baatiym (H1004)] opposes the English version, which would require the infinitive absolute. Rather, 'Not at hand is the building of houses.' They sneer at Jeremiah's letter to the captives, among whom Ezekiel lived (Jeremiah 29:5), wherein he said, "Build ye houses, and dwell in them," - i:e., do not fancy, as many persuade you, that your sojourn in Babylon is to be short; it will be for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12; Jeremiah 29:10); therefore build houses and settle quietly there. The scorners in Jerusalem reply, Those far off in exile may build if they please, but it is too remote a concern for us to trouble ourselves about (Fairbairn). (Compare Ezekiel 12:22; Ezekiel 12:27; 2 Peter 3:4.)
This city is the caldron, and we be the flesh - sneering at Jeremiah 1:13 ("I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north"), where he compared the city to a caldron with its mouth toward the north: 'Let Jerusalem be so if you will, and we the flesh, exposed to the raging foe from the North; still its fortifications will secure us from the flame of war outside; the city must stand for our sakes, just as the pot exists for the safety of the flesh in it.' In opposition to this God saith (Ezekiel 11:11), "This city shall not be your caldron," to defend you in it from the foe outside: nay, ye shall be driven out of your imaginary sanctuary, and slain in the border of the land. "But," saith God in Ezekiel 11:7, "your slain (whose death ye have been the cause of) are the flesh, and this city the caldron; but (not as you fancy shall ye be kept safe inside) I will bring you forth out of the midst of it;" and again, in Ezekiel 24:3. 'Though not a caldron in your sense, Jerusalem shall be so in the sense of its being exposed to a consuming foe, and yourselves in it and with it.'