John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 12:7

"And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for removing, and in the even I digged through the wall with my hand; I brought it forth in the dark, and bare it upon my shoulder in their sight." — Ezekiel 12:7 (ASV)

Here the Prophet relates that he had carried out what God had commanded. He was also aware that this action would be exposed to many jeers and reproaches. But he considered nothing as important as pleasing God; therefore, we should note the Prophet’s eagerness in carrying out God’s commands. For since to upright natures nothing is more unpleasant than reproach, he might have rejected the burden imposed upon him, because it provoked the laughter of all people.

But because God was pleased otherwise, he did as he was ordered. He says, therefore, that he carried away his belongings, as if they were belongings for captivity, or of migration, and that he did this during the day. It was as if he said that he had prepared whatever was necessary for the journey, as though he foresaw that a long march, even exile, was before him.

This, then, was the reason why he prepared his goods during the day. Now it follows, at evening he dug through the wall. This belongs to the second part of the sign, so that the Israelites might understand that every exit was blocked for the Jews, and that no safety remained except in hidden escape.

He also says it was done by the hand, from which it appears to have been done suddenly and chaotically. He says that he went out in darkness and carried things on his shoulder — specifically, to confirm what we have so often said: that the Jews had no hope of safety except under the cover of night. This was because they were besieged on every side and could not move in any direction, lest the enemy seize them. This is the reason why the Prophet says that he went out in darkness through the wall which he had dug through.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, since you desire us to live in this world in such a way that we may journey onward until you gather us into your heavenly rest, that we may truly contemplate that eternal inheritance and direct all our efforts towards it. And next, grant that we may so journey in this world that we do not wander or stray from the path. Always focusing on the goal which you set before us, grant us to proceed on our way until we finish our course and enjoy that glory which your only-begotten Son has prepared for us through his own blood. — Amen.