Matthew Henry Commentary Ezekiel 20:45-49

"And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop [thy word] toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South; and say to the forest of the South, Hear the word of Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt thereby. And all flesh shall see that I, Jehovah, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched. Then said I, Ah Lord Jehovah! they say of me, Is he not a speaker of parables?" — Ezekiel 20:45-49 (ASV)

Judah and Jerusalem had been full of people, like a forest of trees, but empty of fruit. God's word prophesies against those who do not produce the fruits of righteousness. When He resolves to ruin a nation, who or what can save it? The plainest truths were like parables to the people. It is common for those who refuse to be influenced by the word, to blame it.