12 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying , 13 "Son of man , if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness , and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread , send famine against it and cut off from it both man and beast , 14 even though these three men , Noah , Daniel and Job were in its midst , by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves ," declares the Lord GOD . 15 "If I were to cause wild beasts to pass through the land and they depopulated it, and it became desolate so e that no one would pass through it because e of the beasts , 16 though these three men were in its midst , as I live ," declares the Lord GOD , "they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters . They alone would be delivered , but the country would be desolate . 17 "Or if I should bring a sword on that country and say , 'Let the sword pass through the country and cut off man and beast from it,' 18 even though these three men were in its midst , as I live ," declares the Lord GOD , "they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters , but they alone would be delivered . 19 "Or if I should send a plague against that country and pour out My wrath in blood on it to cut off man and beast from it, 20 even though Noah , Daniel and Job were in its midst , as I live ," declares the Lord GOD , "they could not deliver either their son or their daughter . They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness ." 21 For thus says the Lord GOD , "How much more e when I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem : sword , famine , wild beasts and plague to cut off man and beast from it! 22 "Yet, behold , survivors will be left in it who will be brought out, both sons and daughters . Behold , they are going to come forth to you and you will see their conduct and actions ; then you will be comforted for the calamity which I have brought against Jerusalem for everything which I have brought upon it. 23 "Then they will comfort you when you see their conduct and actions , for you will know that I have not done in vain whatever e I did to it," declares the Lord GOD .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 14:12-23
Commentary on Ezekiel 14:12-23
(Read Ezekiel 14:12-23)
National sins bring national judgments. Though sinners escape one judgment, another is waiting for them. When God's professing people rebel against him, they may justly expect all his judgments. The faith, obedience, and prayers of Noah prevailed to the saving of his house, but not of the old world. Job's sacrifice and prayer in behalf of his friends were accepted, and Daniel had prevailed for the saving his companions and the wise men of Babylon. But a people that had filled the measure of their sins, was not to expect to escape for the sake of any righteous men living among them; not even of the most eminent saints, who could be accepted in their own case only through the sufferings and righteousness of Christ. Yet even when God makes the greatest desolations by his judgments, he saves some to be monuments of his mercy. In firm belief that we shall approve the whole of God's dealings with ourselves, and with all mankind, let us silence all rebellious murmurs and objections.