John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 8:18

"Therefore will I also deal in wrath; mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them." — Ezekiel 8:18 (ASV)

This seems to me a confirmation of the last clause. For he had said that they sent forth their boughs or cast them forth, but still to their destruction. He now repeats the same thing in other words: Therefore I will also act in my turn—that is, as they now boldly increase their superstitions and so continually provoke me, finally I will act, he says.

There is a tacit contrast, since God indeed had ceased for a long time, because there is a certain form of rest when he ceases from his judgments. God seems to rest when he does not take vengeance on human wickedness, when he indulges them and passes them by for a time.

Since, therefore, he had so suspended his judgments against the Jews, he seemed to cultivate ease in heaven. For this reason he says, that he would do it in his anger, and he adds, that his vengeance would be so dreadful that there would be no place for pity. This should indeed strike us when God pronounces himself implacable.

For what is more formidable than to have God hostile, and to be truly without any hope of pardon? As often as God withdraws his mercy, he shows us reason for trembling; nor is it surprising that he threatened the Jews so harshly, because he had proved by all methods that they were desperate in their wickedness.

For truly nothing had been omitted towards curing them, unless they had been of a depraved disposition and of extremely stubborn ways. Since, therefore, they were such, it is not surprising that God was extremely enraged against them, so that he left them no hope of pardon. But this should be understood as referring generally to the whole body of the people; meanwhile, it is not at all doubtful, as we will see later, that God excepts his elect from the ordinary multitude.

If anyone objects that God always hears prayers, I reply that he never rejects prayers that spring from faith. But here, that tumultuous clamor is alluded to which necessity prompts in unbelievers.

For although they fly to God as their natural sense impels them, they do not do this with composed minds, nor do they rely on the promises of God. Instead, it is because the torture of their minds does not allow them to rest, so that by a natural impulse they are carried to God and cry to him without any faith or sincere affection.

He speaks, therefore, concerning that kind of outcry which is described to us in the case of Esau; and for this reason he says with a loud voice, (Genesis 27:34; Psalms 3:4; Psalms 22:2; Psalms 32:3, and often elsewhere).

Although the faithful also raise their voice—indeed, even cry out loudly, as David testifies of himself—it is peculiar to the unbelieving to utter their clamor with great outward display, though the mind is void of faith and is even obstinate in its wickedness.

Therefore, they do not open their hearts when they cry to God in this way. Consequently, it is not surprising if God rejects them and is deaf to their complaints.