mh_parser/vol_split/26 - Ezekiel/Chapter 32.xml

<div2 id="Ez.xxxiii" n="xxxiii" next="Ez.xxxiv" prev="Ez.xxxii" progress="61.97%" title="Chapter XXXII">
<h2 id="Ez.xxxiii-p0.1">E Z E K I E L.</h2>
<h3 id="Ez.xxxiii-p0.2">CHAP. XXXII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ez.xxxiii-p1" shownumber="no">Still we are upon the destruction of Pharaoh and
Egypt, which is wonderfully enlarged upon, and with a great deal of
emphasis. When we read so very much of Egypt's ruin, no less than
six several prophecies at divers times delivered concerning it, we
are ready to think, Surely there is some special reason for it.
And, I. Perhaps it may look as far back as the book of Genesis,
where we find (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.15.14" parsed="|Ezek|15|14|0|0" passage="Eze 15:14"><i>ch.</i> xv.
14</scripRef>) that God determined to judge Egypt for oppressing
his people; and, though that was in part fulfilled in the plagues
of Egypt and the drowning of Pharaoh, yet, in this destruction,
here foretold, those old scores were reckoned for, and that was to
have its full accomplishment. II. Perhaps it may look as far
forward as the book of the Revelation, where we find that the great
enemy of the gospel-church, that makes war with the Lamb, is
spiritually called Egypt, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.11.8" parsed="|Rev|11|8|0|0" passage="Re 11:8">Rev. xi.
8</scripRef>. And, if so, the destruction of Egypt and its Pharaoh
was a type of the destruction of that proud enemy; and between this
prophecy of the ruin of Egypt and the prophecy of the destruction
of the antichristian generation there is some analogy. We have two
distinct prophecies in this chapter relating to Egypt, both in the
same month, one on the 1st day, the other that day fortnight,
probably both on the sabbath day. They are both lamentations, not
only to signify how lamentable the fall of Egypt should be, but to
intimate how much the prophet himself should lament it, from a
generous principle of love to mankind. The destruction of Egypt is
here represented under two similitudes:—1. The killing of a lion,
or a whale, or some such devouring creature, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.1-Ezek.32.16" parsed="|Ezek|32|1|32|16" passage="Eze 32:1-16">ver. 1-16</scripRef>. 2. The funeral of a great
commander or captain-general, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.17-Ezek.32.32" parsed="|Ezek|32|17|32|32" passage="Eze 32:17-32">ver.
17-32</scripRef>. The two prophecies of this chapter are much of
the same length.</p>
<scripCom id="Ez.xxxiii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32" parsed="|Ezek|32|0|0|0" passage="Eze 32" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ez.xxxiii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.1-Ezek.32.16" parsed="|Ezek|32|1|32|16" passage="Eze 32:1-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Ez.xxxiii-p1.7">
<h4 id="Ez.xxxiii-p1.8">The Fall of Egypt; Lamentation for
Pharaoh. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p1.9">b. c.</span> 587.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ez.xxxiii-p2" shownumber="no">1 And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in
the twelfth month, in the first <i>day</i> of the month,
<i>that</i> the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p2.1">Lord</span>
came unto me, saying,   2 Son of man, take up a lamentation
for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young
lion of the nations, and thou <i>art</i> as a whale in the seas:
and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters
with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.   3 Thus saith the
Lord <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p2.2">God</span>; I will therefore spread
out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall
bring thee up in my net.   4 Then will I leave thee upon the
land, I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause
all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill
the beasts of the whole earth with thee.   5 And I will lay
thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height.
  6 I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou
swimmest, <i>even</i> to the mountains; and the rivers shall be
full of thee.   7 And when I shall put thee out, I will cover
the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun
with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.   8 All
the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set
darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p2.3">God</span>.   9 I will also vex the hearts of many
people, when I shall bring thy destruction among the nations, into
the countries which thou hast not known.   10 Yea, I will make
many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly
afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and
they shall tremble at <i>every</i> moment, every man for his own
life, in the day of thy fall.   11 For thus saith the Lord
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p2.4">God</span>; The sword of the king of
Babylon shall come upon thee.   12 By the swords of the mighty
will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations,
all of them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the
multitude thereof shall be destroyed.   13 I will destroy also
all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall
the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts
trouble them.   14 Then will I make their waters deep, and
cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p2.5">God</span>.   15 When I shall make the land of
Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that whereof
it was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell therein, then
shall they know that I <i>am</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p2.6">Lord</span>.   16 This <i>is</i> the lamentation
wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall
lament her: they shall lament for her, <i>even</i> for Egypt, and
for all her multitude, saith the Lord <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p2.7">God</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p3" shownumber="no">Here, I. The prophet is ordered to <i>take
up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.2" parsed="|Ezek|32|2|0|0" passage="Eze 32:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. It concerns ministers to be much
of a serious spirit, and, in order thereunto, to be frequent in
taking up lamentations for the fall and ruin of sinners, as those
that have not desired, but dreaded, the woeful day. Note, Ministers
that would affect others with the things of God must make it appear
that they are themselves affected with the miseries which sinners
bring upon themselves by their sins. It becomes us to weep and
tremble for those that will not weep and tremble for themselves, to
try if thereby we may set them a weeping, set them a trembling.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p4" shownumber="no">II. He is ordered to show cause for that
lamentation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p5" shownumber="no">1. Pharaoh has been a troubler of the
nations, even of his own nation, which he should have procured the
repose of: He is <i>like a young lion of the nations</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.2" parsed="|Ezek|32|2|0|0" passage="Eze 32:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), loud and noisy,
hectoring and threatening as a lion when he roars. Great
potentates, if they by tyrannical and oppressive, are in God's
account no better than beasts of prey. He is like <i>a whale,</i>
or dragon, like a crocodile (so some) <i>in the seas,</i> very
turbulent and vexatious, as the <i>leviathan</i> that <i>makes the
deep to boil like a pot,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.31" parsed="|Job|41|31|0|0" passage="Job 41:31">Job xli.
31</scripRef>. When Pharaoh engaged in an unnecessary war with the
Cyrenians he <i>came forth with his rivers,</i> with his armies,
<i>troubled the waters,</i> disturbed his own kingdom and the
neighbouring nations, <i>fouled the rivers,</i> and made them
muddy. Note, A great deal of disquiet is often given to the world
by the restless ambition and implacable resentments of proud
princes. Ahab is he that troubles Israel, and not Elijah.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p6" shownumber="no">2. He that has troubled others must expect
to be himself troubled; for the Lord is righteous, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.7.25" parsed="|Josh|7|25|0|0" passage="Jos 7:25">Josh. vii. 25</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p7" shownumber="no">(1.) This is set forth here by a
comparison. Is Pharaoh like a <i>great whale,</i> which, when it
comes up the river, gives great disturbance, a leviathan which Job
cannot <i>draw out with a hook?</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.1" parsed="|Job|41|1|0|0" passage="Job 41:1">Job xli. 1</scripRef>), yet God has a net for him which
is large enough to enclose him and strong enough to secure him
(<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.3" parsed="|Ezek|32|3|0|0" passage="Eze 32:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>): <i>I will
spread my net over thee,</i> even the army of the Chaldeans, a
<i>company of many people;</i> they shall force him out of his
fastnesses, dislodge him out of his possessions, throw him like a
great fish upon dry ground, <i>upon the open field</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.4" parsed="|Ezek|32|4|0|0" passage="Eze 32:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), where being out of his
element, he must die of course, and be a prey to the birds and
beasts, as was foretold, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.29.5" parsed="|Ezek|29|5|0|0" passage="Eze 29:5"><i>ch.</i>
xxix. 5</scripRef>. What can the strongest fish do to help itself
when it is out of the water and lies gasping? <i>The flesh</i> of
this great whale shall be <i>laid upon the mountains</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.5" parsed="|Ezek|32|5|0|0" passage="Eze 32:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>) and the <i>valleys</i>
shall be <i>filled with his height.</i> Such numbers of Pharaoh's
soldiers shall be slain that the dead bodies shall be scattered
upon the hills and there shall be heaps of them piled up in the
valleys. Blood shall be shed in such abundance as to swell the
rivers in the valleys. Or, Such shall be the bulk, such the height,
of this leviathan, that, when he is laid upon the ground, he shall
fill a valley. Such vast quantities of blood shall issue from this
<i>leviathan</i> as shall <i>water the land of Egypt,</i> the land
wherein <i>now he swims,</i> now he sports himself, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.6" parsed="|Ezek|32|6|0|0" passage="Eze 32:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. It shall reach <i>to the
mountains,</i> and the waters of Egypt shall again be <i>turned
into blood</i> by this means: <i>The rivers shall be full of
thee.</i> The judgments executed upon Pharaoh of old are expressed
by the <i>breaking</i> of <i>the heads of leviathan in the
waters,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.74.13-Ps.74.14" parsed="|Ps|74|13|74|14" passage="Ps 74:13,14">Ps. lxxiv. 13,
14</scripRef>. But now they go further; this old serpent not only
has now his head bruised, but is all crushed to pieces.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p8" shownumber="no">(2.) It is set forth by a prophecy of the
deep impression which the destruction of Egypt should make upon the
neighbouring nations; it would put them all into a consternation,
as the fall of the Assyrian monarchy did, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.31.15-Ezek.31.16" parsed="|Ezek|31|15|31|16" passage="Eze 31:15,16"><i>ch.</i> xxxi. 15, 16</scripRef>. When Pharaoh,
who had been like a blazing burning torch, is <i>put out</i> and
<i>extinguished</i> it shall make all about him look black,
<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.7" parsed="|Ezek|32|7|0|0" passage="Eze 32:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. The heavens
shall be hung with black, the <i>stars darkened,</i> the sun
eclipsed, and the moon be deprived of her borrowed light. It is
from the upper world that this lower receives its light; and
therefore (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.8" parsed="|Ezek|32|8|0|0" passage="Eze 32:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>),
when the <i>bright lights of heaven</i> are <i>made dark</i> above,
darkness by consequence is <i>set upon the land,</i> upon the
earth; so it shall be on the land of Egypt. Here the plague of
darkness, which was upon Egypt of old for three days, seems to be
alluded to, as, before, the turning of the waters into blood. For,
when former judgments are forgotten, it is just that they should be
repeated. When their privy-counsellors, and statesmen, and those
that have the direction of the public affairs, are deprived of
wisdom and made fools, and the things that belong to their peace
are hidden from their eyes, then their lights are darkened and the
land is in a mist. This is foretold, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.19.13" parsed="|Isa|19|13|0|0" passage="Isa 19:13">Isa. xix. 13</scripRef>. <i>The princes of Zoan have
become fools.</i> Now upon the spreading of the report of the fall
of Egypt, and the bringing of the news to remote countries,
<i>countries which they had not known</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.9" parsed="|Ezek|32|9|0|0" passage="Eze 32:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), people shall be much affected,
and shall feel themselves sensibly touched by it. [1.] It shall
fill them with vexation to see such an ancient, wealthy, potent
kingdom thus humbled and brought down, and the pride of worldly
glory, which they have such a value for, stained. The <i>hearts of
many people</i> will be <i>vexed</i> to see the word of the God of
Israel fulfilled in the destruction of Egypt, and that all the
<i>gods of Egypt</i> were not able to relieve it. Note, The
destruction of some wicked people is a vexation to others. [2.] It
shall fill them with admiration (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.10" parsed="|Ezek|32|10|0|0" passage="Eze 32:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>): They shall be <i>amazed at
thee,</i> shall wonder to see such <i>great riches</i> and power
<i>come to nothing,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Rev.18.17" parsed="|Rev|18|17|0|0" passage="Re 18:17">Rev. xviii.
17</scripRef>. Note, Those that admire with complacency the pomp of
this world will admire with consternation the ruin of that pomp,
which to those that know the vanity of all things here below is no
surprise at all. [3.] It shall fill them with fear: even <i>their
kings</i> (that think it their prerogative to be secure) shall be
<i>horribly afraid for thee,</i> concluding their own house to be
in danger when their neighbour's is on fire. <i>When I shall
brandish my sword before them they shall tremble every man for his
own life.</i> Note, When the sword of God's justice is drawn
against some, to cut them off, it is thereby brandished before
others, to give them warning. And those that will not be admonished
by it, and made to reform, shall yet be frightened by it, and made
to tremble. They shall <i>tremble at every moment, because of thy
fall.</i> When others are ruined by sin we have reason to quake for
fear, as knowing ourselves guilty and obnoxious. <i>Who is able to
stand before this holy Lord God?</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p9" shownumber="no">(3.) It is set forth by a plain and express
prediction of the desolation itself that should come upon Egypt.
[1.] The instruments of the desolation appear here very formidable.
It is the <i>sword of the king of Babylon,</i> that warlike, that
victorious prince, that shall <i>come upon thee</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.11" parsed="|Ezek|32|11|0|0" passage="Eze 32:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), the <i>swords of the
mighty,</i> even the <i>terrible of the nations, all of them</i>
(<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.12" parsed="|Ezek|32|12|0|0" passage="Eze 32:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), an army
that there is no standing before. Note, Those that delight in war,
and are upon all occasions entering into contention, may expect,
some time or other, to be engaged with those that will prove too
hard for them. Pharaoh had been forward to quarrel with his
neighbour and to come forth <i>with his rivers,</i> with his
armies, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.2" parsed="|Ezek|32|2|0|0" passage="Eze 32:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. But
God will now give him enough of it. [2.] The instances of the
desolation appear here very frightful, much the same with what we
had before, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.29.10-Ezek.29.12 Bible:Ezek.30.7" parsed="|Ezek|29|10|29|12;|Ezek|30|7|0|0" passage="Eze 29:10-12,30:7"><i>ch.</i> xxix.
10-12; xxx. 7</scripRef>. <i>First,</i> The multitude of Egypt
shall be destroyed, not decimated, some picked out to be made
examples, but all cut off. Note, The numbers of sinners, though
they be a multitude, will neither secure them against God's power
nor entitle them to his pity. <i>Secondly,</i> The pomp of Egypt
shall be spoiled, the pomp of their court, what they have been
proud of. Note, in renouncing the pomps of this world we did
ourselves a great kindness, for they are things that are soon
spoiled and that cheat their admirers. <i>Thirdly,</i> The cattle
of Egypt, that used to feed by the rivers, shall be destroyed
(<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.13" parsed="|Ezek|32|13|0|0" passage="Eze 32:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), either cut
off by the sword or carried off for a prey. Egypt was famous for
horses, which would be an acceptable booty to the Chaldeans. The
rivers shall be no more frequented as they have been by man and
beast, that came thither to drink. <i>Fourthly,</i> The <i>waters
of Egypt,</i> that used to flow briskly, shall now grow deep, and
slow, and heavy, and shall <i>run like oil</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.14" parsed="|Ezek|32|14|0|0" passage="Eze 32:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), a figurative expression
signifying that there should be such universal sadness and
heaviness upon the whole nation that even the rivers should go
softly and silently like mourners, and quite forget their rapid
motion. <i>Fifthly,</i> The whole country of Egypt shall be
stripped of its wealth; it shall be <i>destitute of what whereof it
was full</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.15" parsed="|Ezek|32|15|0|0" passage="Eze 32:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>), corn, and cattle, and all the pleasant fruits of
the earth; when those are <i>smitten that dwell therein</i> the
ground is untilled, and that which is gathered becomes an easy prey
to the invader. Note, God can soon empty those of this world's
goods that have the greatest fulness of those things and are full
of them, that enjoy most and have their hearts set upon those
enjoyments. The Egyptians were full of their pleasant and plentiful
country, and its rich productions. Every one that talked with them
might perceive how much it filled them. But God can soon make their
<i>country destitute of that whereof it is full;</i> it is
therefore our wisdom to be full of treasures in heaven. When the
country is made destitute, 1. It shall be an instruction to them:
<i>Then shall they know that I am the Lord.</i> A sensible
conviction of the vanity of the world, and the fading perishing
nature of all things in it, will contribute much to our right
knowledge of God as our portion and happiness. 2. It shall be a
lamentation to all about them: <i>The daughters of the nations
shall lament her</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.16" parsed="|Ezek|32|16|0|0" passage="Eze 32:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>), either because, being in alliance with her, they
share in her grievances and suffer with her, or, being admirers of
her, they at least share in her grief and sympathize with her. They
shall lament <i>for Egypt and all her multitude;</i> it shall
excite their pity to see so great a devastation made. By enlarging
the matters of our joy we increase the occasions of our sorrow.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.17-Ezek.32.32" parsed="|Ezek|32|17|32|32" passage="Eze 32:17-32" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.10">
<h4 id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.11">The Fall of Egypt; Egypt's Destruction
Completed. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p9.12">b. c.</span> 587.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ez.xxxiii-p10" shownumber="no">17 It came to pass also in the twelfth year, in
the fifteenth <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> the word of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p10.1">Lord</span> came unto me, saying,   18
Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down,
<i>even</i> her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the
nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.
  19 Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid
with the uncircumcised.   20 They shall fall in the midst of
<i>them that are</i> slain by the sword: she is delivered to the
sword: draw her and all her multitudes.   21 The strong among
the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them
that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by
the sword.   22 Asshur <i>is</i> there and all her company:
his graves <i>are</i> about him: all of them slain, fallen by the
sword:   23 Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and
her company is round about her grave: all of them slain, fallen by
the sword, which caused terror in the land of the living.   24
There <i>is</i> Elam and all her multitude round about her grave,
all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down
uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused
their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their
shame with them that go down to the pit.   25 They have set
her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude: her
graves <i>are</i> round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain
by the sword: though their terror was caused in the land of the
living, yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to
the pit: he is put in the midst of <i>them that be</i> slain.
  26 There <i>is</i> Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude:
her graves <i>are</i> round about him: all of them uncircumcised,
slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of
the living.   27 And they shall not lie with the mighty
<i>that are</i> fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to
hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords
under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones,
though <i>they were</i> the terror of the mighty in the land of the
living.   28 Yea, thou shalt be broken in the midst of the
uncircumcised, and shalt lie with <i>them that are</i> slain with
the sword.   29 There <i>is</i> Edom, her kings, and all her
princes, which with their might are laid by <i>them that were</i>
slain by the sword: they shall lie with the uncircumcised, and with
them that go down to the pit.   30 There <i>be</i> the princes
of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians, which are gone
down with the slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their
might; and they lie uncircumcised with <i>them that be</i> slain by
the sword, and bear their shame with them that go down to the pit.
  31 Pharaoh shall see them, and shall be comforted over all
his multitude, <i>even</i> Pharaoh and all his army slain by the
sword, saith the Lord <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p10.2">God</span>.   32
For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall
be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised with <i>them that are</i>
slain with the sword, <i>even</i> Pharaoh and all his multitude,
saith the Lord <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.xxxiii-p10.3">God</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p11" shownumber="no">This prophecy concludes and completes the
burden of Egypt, and leaves it and all its multitude in the pit of
destruction.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p12" shownumber="no">I. We are here invited to attend the
funeral of that once flourishing kingdom, to lament its fall, and
to take a view of those who attend it to the grave and accompany it
in the grave.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p13" shownumber="no">1. This dead corpse of a kingdom is here
brought to the grave. The prophet is ordered to <i>cast them
down</i> to the pit (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.18" parsed="|Ezek|32|18|0|0" passage="Eze 32:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>), to foretel their destruction as one that had
authority, as Jeremiah was set over the kingdoms, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.1.10" parsed="|Jer|1|10|0|0" passage="Jer 1:10">Jer. i. 10</scripRef>. He must speak in God's
name, and as from him who will cast them down. Yet he must foretel
it as one that had an affectionate concern for them; he must
<i>wail for the multitude of Egypt,</i> even when he <i>casts them
down.</i> When Egypt is slain, let her have an honourable funeral,
befitting her quality; let her be buried <i>with the daughters of
the famous nations,</i> in their burying-places and with the same
ceremony. It is but a poor allay to the reproach and terror of
death to be buried with those that were famous; yet this is all
that is allowed to Egypt. Shall Egypt think to exempt herself from
the common fate of proud and imperious nations? No; she must take
her lot with them (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.19" parsed="|Ezek|32|19|0|0" passage="Eze 32:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>): "<i>Whom dost thou surpass in beauty?</i> Art thou
so much fairer than any other nation that thou shouldst expect
therefore to be excused? No; others as fair as thou have sunk into
the pit; <i>go down</i> therefore, and <i>be thou laid with the
uncircumcised.</i> Thou art like them and art likely to lie among
them. The multitude of Egypt shall all <i>fall in the midst of
those that are slain with the sword,</i> now that there is a
general slaughter made among the nations." Egypt with the rest must
drink of the bloody cup, and therefore she is <i>delivered to the
sword,</i> to the sword of war (but, in God's hand, the sword of
justice), is delivered to be publicly executed. <i>Draw her and all
her multitude;</i> draw them either as the dead bodies of great men
are drawn in honour to the grave, in a hearse, or as malefactors
are drawn in disgrace to the place of execution, on a sledge; draw
them to the pit, and let them be made a spectacle to the world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p14" shownumber="no">2. This corpse of a kingdom is bid welcome
to the grave, and Pharaoh is made free of the congregation of the
dead, and admitted into their regions, not without some pomp and
ceremony. As the surprising fall of the king of Babylon is thus
illustrated, <i>Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at
thy coming,</i> and to introduce thee into those mansions of
darkness (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.14.9" parsed="|Isa|14|9|0|0" passage="Isa 14:9">Isa. xiv. 9</scripRef>,
&amp;c.), so here (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.21" parsed="|Ezek|32|21|0|0" passage="Eze 32:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>), <i>They shall speak to him out of the midst of
hell,</i> as it were congratulating his arrival and calling him to
join with them in acknowledging that which neither he nor they
would be brought to own when they were in their pomp and pride,
that it is in vain to think of contesting with God, and none ever
hardened their hearts against him and prospered. They shall say to
him, and to those that pretended to help him, Where are you now?
What have you brought your attempts to at last? Divers nations are
here mentioned as gone down to the grave before Egypt that are
ready to give her a scornful reception and upbraid her with coming
to them at last. These nations here spoken of were probably such as
had been of late years ruined and wasted by the king of Babylon,
and their princes cut off; let Egypt know that she has
<i>neighbour's fare.</i> When she goes to the grave she does but
<i>migrare ad plures—migrate to the majority;</i> there are
<i>innumerable before her.</i> But it is observable that though
Judah and Jerusalem were just about this time, or a little before,
utterly ruined and laid waste, yet they are not mentioned here
among the nations that welcome Egypt to the pit; for though they
suffered the same things that these nations suffered, and by the
same hand, yet the kind intentions of their affliction, and its
happy issue at last, and the mercy God had yet in reserve for them,
altered the property of it; it was not to them a <i>going down to
the pit,</i> as it was to the heathen; they were not <i>smitten as
others were,</i> nor <i>slain according to the slaughter of other
nations,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.27.7" parsed="|Isa|27|7|0|0" passage="Isa 27:7">Isa. xxvii. 7</scripRef>.
But let us see who those are that have <i>gone to the grave</i>
before Egypt, that <i>lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword,</i>
with whom she must now take up her lodging. (1.) There lie the
Assyrian empire, and all the princes and mighty men of that
monarchy (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.22" parsed="|Ezek|32|22|0|0" passage="Eze 32:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>):
<i>Asshur is there and all her company,</i> all the countries that
were tributaries to and had dependence upon that crown. That mighty
potentate who used to lie in state, with his guards and grandees
about him, now lies in obscurity, with his <i>graves about him</i>
and his soldiers in them, unable any longer to do him service or
honour; they are <i>all of them slain, fallen by the sword.</i> The
number of their months was <i>cut off in the midst,</i> and, being
<i>bloody</i> and <i>deceitful men,</i> they were not suffered to
<i>live out half their days.</i> Their <i>braves were set in the
sides of the pit,</i> all in a row, like beds in a common chamber,
<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.23" parsed="|Ezek|32|23|0|0" passage="Eze 32:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. All their
company is such as were <i>slain, fallen by the sword;</i> a vast
congregation there is of such, who had <i>caused terror in the land
of the living.</i> But as the death of those to whom they were a
terror put an end to their fears (in the grave <i>the prisoners
rest together</i> and <i>hear not the voice of the oppressor,</i>
<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:Job.3.18" parsed="|Job|3|18|0|0" passage="Job 3:18">Job iii. 18</scripRef>), so the death
of these mighty men puts an end to their terrors. Who is afraid of
<i>a dead lion?</i> Note, Death will be a king of terrors to those
who, instead of making themselves blessings, make themselves
terrors, in their generation. (2.) There lies the kingdom of
Persia, which perhaps within the memory of man at that time had
been wasted and brought down: <i>There is Elam and all her
multitude,</i> the king of Elam and his numerous armies, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.7" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.24-Ezek.32.25" parsed="|Ezek|32|24|32|25" passage="Eze 32:24,25"><i>v.</i> 24, 25</scripRef>. They also had
<i>caused their terror in the land of the living,</i> had made a
fearful noise and bluster among the nations in their day. But Elam
has now a grave by herself, and the graves of the common people
<i>round about her, fallen by the sword;</i> she has <i>her bed in
the midst of the slain</i> that went down <i>uncircumcised,
unsanctified,</i> unholy, and not in covenant with God. They have
<i>borne their shame with those that go down to the pit;</i> they
have fallen under the common disgrace and mortification of mankind,
that they die and are buried; nay, they die under particular marks
of ignominy, which God and man put upon them. Note, Those who cause
their terror shall, sooner or later, bear their <i>shame,</i> and
be made a terror to themselves. The king of Elam is <i>put in the
midst of those that are slain.</i> All the honour he can now
pretend to is to be buried in the chief sepulchre. (3.) There lies
the Scythian power, which, about this time, was busy in the world.
<i>Meshech</i> and <i>Tubal,</i> those barbarous northern nations,
had lately made a descent upon the Medes, and <i>caused their
terror</i> among them, lived among them upon free quarter for some
years, making every thing their own that they could lay their hands
on; but at length Cyaxares, king of the Medes, drew them by a wile
into his power, but off abundance of them, and obliged them to quit
his country, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.8" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.26" parsed="|Ezek|32|26|0|0" passage="Eze 32:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>.
There lie Meshech and Tubal, and all their multitude; there is a
burying place for them, with their chief commander in the midst of
them, <i>all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword.</i> These
Scythians, dying ingloriously as they lived, are not laid, as the
other nations spoken of before, in the bed of honour (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.9" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.27" parsed="|Ezek|32|27|0|0" passage="Eze 32:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>): <i>They shall not lie
with the mighty,</i> shall not be buried in state, as those are,
even by consent of the enemy, that are slain in the field of
battle, that <i>go down to their graves with their weapons of
war</i> carried before the hearse, or trailed after it, that have
particularly <i>their swords laid under their heads,</i> as if they
could sleep the sweeter in the grave when they laid their heads on
such a pillow. These Scythians are not buried with these marks of
honour, but <i>their iniquities shall be upon their sons;</i> they
shall, for their iniquity, be left unburied, though they were the
<i>terror</i> even <i>of the mighty in the land of the living.</i>
(4.) There lies the kingdom of Edom, which had flourished long, but
about this time, at least before the destruction of Egypt, was made
quite desolate, as was foretold, <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.10" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.25.13" parsed="|Ezek|25|13|0|0" passage="Eze 25:13"><i>ch.</i> xxv. 13</scripRef>. Among the sepulchres of
the nations <i>there is Edom,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.11" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.29" parsed="|Ezek|32|29|0|0" passage="Eze 32:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. There lie, not dignified with
monuments or inscriptions, but mingled with common dust, <i>her
kings and all her princes,</i> her wise statesmen (which Edom was
famous for), and her brave soldiers. These <i>with their might are
laid by those that were slain by the sword;</i> their might could
not prevent it, nay, their might helped to procure it, for that
both encouraged them to engage in war and incensed their neighbours
against them, who thought it necessary to curb their growing
greatness. A great deal of pains they took to ruin themselves, as
many do, who <i>with their might,</i> with all their might, are
<i>laid by those that were slain with the sword.</i> The Edomites
retained circumcision, being of the seed of Abraham. But that shall
stand them in no stead; they shall <i>lie with the
uncircumcised.</i> (5.) There lie the <i>princes of the north, and
all the Zidonians.</i> These were as well acquainted with maritime
affairs as the Egyptians were, who relied much upon that part of
their strength, but they have <i>gone down with the slain</i>
(<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.12" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.30" parsed="|Ezek|32|30|0|0" passage="Eze 32:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>), down to
the pit. Now they are <i>ashamed of their might,</i> ashamed to
think how much they boasted of it and trusted to it; and, as the
<i>Edomites with their might,</i> so these <i>with their
terror,</i> are laid with those that are <i>slain by the sword</i>
and are forced to take their lot with them. They <i>bear their
shame with those that go down to the pit,</i> die in as much
disgrace as those that are cut off by the hand of public justice.
(6.) All this is applied to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, who have no
reason to flatter themselves with hopes of tranquillity when they
see how the wisest, and wealthiest, and strongest, of their
neighbours have been laid waste (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.13" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.28" parsed="|Ezek|32|28|0|0" passage="Eze 32:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>): "<i>Yea, thou shalt be broken
in the midst of the uncircumcised;</i> when God is pulling down the
unhumbled and unreformed nations thou must expect to come down with
them." [1.] It will be some extenuation of the miseries of Egypt to
observe that it has been the case of so many great and mighty
nations before (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.14" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.31" parsed="|Ezek|32|31|0|0" passage="Eze 32:31"><i>v.</i>
31</scripRef>): <i>Pharaoh shall see them and be comforted;</i> it
will be some ease to his mind that he is not the first king that
has been slain in battle—his not the first army that has been
routed, his not the first kingdom that has been made desolate. Mr.
Greenhill observes here, "The comfort which wicked ones have after
death is poor comfort, not real, but imaginary." They will find
little satisfaction in having so many fellow-sufferers; the rich
man in hell dreaded it. It is only in point of honour that Pharaoh
can <i>see and be comforted.</i> [2.] But nothing will be an
exemption from these miseries; for (<scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.15" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.32.32" parsed="|Ezek|32|32|0|0" passage="Eze 32:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>) <i>I have caused my terror in
the land of the living.</i> Great men have caused their terror,
have studied how to make every body <i>fear them. Oderint dum
metuant—Let them hate, so that they do but fear.</i> But now the
great God has <i>caused his terror in the land of the living;</i>
and therefore he laughs at theirs, because he sees that <i>his day
is coming,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.xxxiii-p14.16" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.13" parsed="|Ps|37|13|0|0" passage="Ps 37:13">Ps. xxxvii.
13</scripRef>. In this day of terror Pharaoh <i>and all his
multitude</i> shall be <i>laid with those that are slain by the
sword.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.xxxiii-p15" shownumber="no">II. The view which this prophecy gives us
of ruined states may show us something, 1. Of this present world,
and the empire of death in it. Come, and see the calamitous state
of human life; see what a dying world this is. The strong die, the
mighty die, Pharaoh and all his multitude. See what a killing world
this is. They are all <i>slain with the sword.</i> As if men did
not die fast enough of themselves, men are ingenious at finding out
ways to destroy one another. It is not only a great pit, but a
great cock-pit. 2. Of the other world. Though it is the destruction
of nations as such that perhaps is principally intended here, yet
here is a plain allusion to the final and everlasting ruin of
impenitent sinners, of those that are uncircumcised in heart; they
are <i>slain by the sword</i> of divine justice; their <i>iniquity
is upon them,</i> and with it they <i>bear their shame.</i> Those,
Christ's enemies, that would not have him to reign over them,
<i>shall be brought forth</i> and <i>slain before him,</i> though
they be as pompous, though they be as numerous, as Pharaoh and
<i>all his multitude.</i></p>
</div></div2>