\\INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 21\\

This chapter contains an explanation of a prophecy in the latter part
of the preceding chapter; and a new one, concerning the sword of the
Chaldeans, and the destruction of the Jews and Ammonites by it. The
prophecy of the fire in the forest is explained, \\#Eze 21:1-5\\,
upon which the prophet is directed to show his concern at it by
sighing, in order to awaken the attention of the people to it,
\\#Eze 21:6,7\\, then follows a prophecy of a very sharp and bright sword,
which should do great execution upon the people and princes of
Israel; and therefore the prophet, in order to affect them, with it,
is bid to howl and cry, and smite on his thigh; and smite his hands
together, and the Lord says he would do so; all which is designed to
set forth the greatness of the calamity and the distress,
\\#Eze 21:8-17\\, next the prophet is ordered to represent the king of
Babylon as at a place where two ways met, and as at a loss which way
to take, and as determined by divination to go to Jerusalem first,
\\#Eze 21:18-24\\, and then Zedekiah, the then reigning prince of
Israel, has his doom pronounced on him, and he is ordered to be
stripped of his regalia; and an intimation is given that there should
be no more king over Israel of the house of David until the Messiah
came, \\#Eze 21:26,27\\ and the chapter is concluded with a prophecy
of the destruction of the Ammonites in their own land, which should
certainly be, though their diviners might, say the contrary,
\\#Eze 21:28-31\\.

above excuse or complaint about speaking in parables; wherefore the
prophet is ordered to speak in plainer language to the people. It is
very probable that the prophet delivered the prophecy recorded in the
latter part of the preceding chapter in the figurative terms in
which he received it; and he here is bid to explain it to the people,
or to repeat it to them in clearer expressions.
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