John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 12:25

"For I am Jehovah; I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall be performed; it shall be no more deferred: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I speak the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord Jehovah." — Ezekiel 12:25 (ASV)

He confirms the last verse. There is some obscurity in the context of the words, but as to the general sense, the Prophet wishes to teach simply that what God had spoken would soon be accomplished, since God wishes to assert His own faithfulness by carrying out the vengeance He had threatened through His servants.

The Prophet here means that it is not right to separate God’s word from its effect, because God who speaks is not divided against Himself. Whenever He opens His mouth, He stretches out His hand to fulfill His words. Now we understand the Prophet’s meaning, and from this we can grasp the usefulness of this teaching.

For, because God’s word seems cold to us and to be dissipated into air, we must always consider His hand. Whenever the Prophets speak, let God come before our eyes, and let Him come not merely with bare words, but armed with His power, as if His hand were in some way included in His word.

This is the meaning of the whole verse: I, Jehovah, will utter a word, and whatever I shall utter, that I will do; it shall be no longer delayed. But, as I have often said, it shall return. Indeed, in your days, O rebellious house, I will do what I have spoken through My servants. Here he expresses what might still appear doubtful.

For since a thousand years are with God as one day, the time might be considered near, even if the city and the temple were not to be taken and destroyed for another thirty years.

But now God, speaking in human terms, defines the time as near, because those who were then alive would see the fulfillment of the prophecies they had despised.