John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 7:1-2

"Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, And thou, son of man, thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto the land of Israel, An end: the end is come upon the four corners of the land." — Ezekiel 7:1-2 (ASV)

Ezekiel seems too verbose here, for he repeats the same sentiments almost in the same words. But the reason I have presented must be noted: if God had only given His commands briefly, when the people were not only slow to believe but also of a perverse disposition, His message would have proven cold and ineffective.

For this reason, as we have seen, he uses many words and now repeats the same ideas. He now changes his expression because he needed by all means to stimulate that laziness, or rather sluggishness, with which the people struggled. Another thing to be noted is that he did not come only once by God’s command to preach to the people, but he was often sent to rouse their minds. For if he had included in one message everything God had commanded, the Israelites might have thought of God’s judgment for a time, but a prophecy uttered only once would have easily escaped them. Besides, when Ezekiel testifies that he was sent by God, and afterwards returns and affirms that he brings new commands, this was more effective in influencing their minds.

Now we see the meaning of the phrase, the word was given by Jehovah. For this prophecy is distinguished from the former, and yet the subject matter is the same, with no difference, as it seems to be part of the same discourse. This is indeed true, but he had to be sent twice so that the people might understand that what he heard from God’s mouth was to be repeated not only once, but twice and continually. This was because it was sufficiently clear that God was anxious for their safety, as He never ceased to exhort them.

Thus, therefore, says the Lord Jehovah concerning the land of Israel: an end is coming, an end upon the four corners of the land. Here God seems to refer to the moderate punishments He had already inflicted on the kingdom of Israel. For we know that they often felt God’s hand, but when some respite was given to them, they thought they had escaped. So they forgot their wickedness and continued in it so carelessly that it was very clear they despised God, except when He oppressed them with His dreadful power.

This seems to be the meaning of the word end, and it is emphatically repeated: an end is coming, an end upon the four corners of the land. He indeed speaks of 'wings,' but intends this metaphorically for the four different regions. God, therefore, rebukes the Israelites for their obstinacy because, though often chastised, they did not stop transgressing, not supposing that anything more grievous could happen.

He therefore uses the word end, as if He said, 'Until now I have treated you moderately.' And surely God had shown a remarkable example of mercy in punishing the Israelites so lightly when He could have utterly cut them off.

Therefore, since He had restrained Himself so much in punishing, the sluggishness of the people was all the more intolerable for that reason, as they thought everything was over as soon as God withdrew His hand.

An end, He says, an end is come; that is, after this you must not hope for any moderation. 'I see there is no hope of repentance in you, and so I will utterly consume you.' And He adds, on the four corners of the land, as He had just said, in all your dwellings. Again, therefore, He teaches that no part of the land will be free from the slaughter which He predicts.