John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 12:14

"And I will scatter toward every wind all that are round about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them." — Ezekiel 12:14 (ASV)

He confirms the verse above and says that although Zedekiah had many soldiers as a garrison and accustomed the people to bear arms, yet all this would not profit him, since God would disperse all the guards in whom he trusted. He says then, that he would scatter to every wind all who were around Zedekiah. For unbelievers were deceived when they saw the king surrounded by auxiliary troops and the people of the city trained for warfare. Since Zedekiah was so armed for the defense of the city, they thought it could never be taken by the Chaldeans.

God, therefore, here first of all teaches that the war was carried on under his authority, and then that there was no doubt of his taking the city. He does not speak of the Chaldeans, to prevent unbelievers from instituting a comparison: “It is true, indeed, that the Chaldeans are besieging the city with a strong and numerous army, but the city is impregnable, and besides, it is defended with great spirit, and the king has forces sufficiently strong for his defense.” To prevent this opinion from foolishly deceiving the unbelievers, God comes into the field and turns their attention away from the Chaldeans.

For this reason, he ascribes to himself the conduct of the enemy. From this we gather that profane nations are in God’s hands, since he not only governs them by the spirit of regeneration but compels even the impious, who desire to abolish his authority, to obey his commands. God does not draw his sword from heaven, nor do angels openly appear with drawn swords; the Chaldeans do that. But as it is said in Isaiah (Isaiah 10:15), Shall the ax boast itself against its owner? Since the vigor of the Chaldeans was nothing in itself, God armed them and then granted them the success which he wished.