Part 536 (1/2)

6:60. In like manner the lightning, when it breaketh forth, is easy to be seen: and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country.

6:61. And the clouds, when G.o.d commandeth them to go over the whole world, do that which is commanded them.

6:62. The fire also being sent from above to consume mountains, and woods, doth as it is commanded. But these neither in shew, nor in power, are alike to any one of them.

6:63. Wherefore it is neither to be thought, nor to be said, that they are G.o.ds: since they are neither able to judge causes, nor to do any good to men.

6:64. Knowing, therefore, that they are not G.o.ds, fear them not.

6:65. For neither can they curse kings, nor bless them.

6:66. Neither do they shew signs in the heaven to the nations, nor s.h.i.+ne as the sun, nor give light as the moon.

6:67. Beasts are better than they, which can fly under a covert, and help themselves.

6:68. Therefore there is no manner of appearance that they are G.o.ds: so fear them not.

6:69. For as a scarecrow in a garden of cuc.u.mbers keepeth nothing, so are their G.o.ds of wood, and of silver, and laid over with gold.

6:70. They are no better than a white thorn in a garden, upon which every bird sitteth. In like manner also their G.o.ds of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, are like to a dead body cast forth in the dark.

6:71. By the purple also and the scarlet which are motheaten upon them, you shall know that they are not G.o.ds. And they themselves at last are consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.

6:72. Better, therefore, is the just man that hath no idols: for he shall be far from reproach.

THE PROPHECY OF EZECHIEL

EZECHIEL, whose name signifies the STRENGTH OF G.o.d, was of the priestly race; and of the number of captives that were carried away to Babylon with king JOACHIN. He was contemporary with JEREMIAS, and prophesied to the same effect in Babylon, as JEREMIAS did in Jerusalem; and is said to have ended his days in like manner, by martyrdom.

Ezechiel Chapter 1

The time of Ezechiel's prophecy: he sees a glorious vision.

1:1. Now it came to pa.s.s in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, when I was in the midst of the captives by the river Chobar, the heavens were opened, and I saw the visions of G.o.d.

The thirtieth year... Either of the age of Ezechiel; or, as others will have it, from the solemn covenant made in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josias. 4 Kings 23.

1:2. On the fifth day of the month, the same was the fifth year of the captivity of king Joachin,

1:3. The word of the Lord came to Ezechiel the priest the son of Buzi in the land of the Chaldeans, by the river Chobar: and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.

1:4. And I saw, and behold a whirlwind came out of the north: and a great cloud, and a fire infolding it, and brightness was about it: and out of the midst thereof, that is, out of the midst of the fire, as it were the resemblance of amber:

1:5. And in the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures: and this was their appearance: there was the likeness of a man in them.

Living creatures... Cherubims (as appears from Ecclesiasticus 49.10) represented to the prophet under these mysterious shapes, as supporting the throne of G.o.d, and as it were drawing his chariot. All this chapter appeared so obscure, and so full of mysteries to the ancient Hebrews, that, as we learn from St. Jerome, (Ep. ad Paulin.,) they suffered none to read it before they were thirty years old.