(31) I will not be enquired of by you.--This takes up the refrain of Ezekiel 20:3, and with the following verse fitly closes this portion of the prophecy which was introduced by the coming of the elders to enquire.
20:27-32 The Jews persisted in rebellion after they settled in the land of Canaan. And these elders seem to have thought of uniting with the heathen. We make nothing by our profession if it be but a profession. There is nothing got by sinful compliances; and the carnal projects of hypocrites will stand them in no stead.
For when ye offer your gifts,.... And sacrifices to idols. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it,
the firstfruits of your gifts; it may design their firstborn; see Ezekiel 20:26 as the following clause seems to explain it:
when ye make your sons to pass through the fire; or between two fires to Moloch, as their fathers had done before them;
ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day; by worshipping idols, or dunghill gods, as the word signifies, as often observed; they defiled themselves with those filthy things, which they continued to do to that very day, and so became more and more polluted; and were as their fathers had been, and therefore must expect to be used in like manner:
and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? can you think that I will suffer you to come and inquire of me or to make your requests to me? or can you hope to have an answer from me; at least a favourable one, such as you could wish for?
as I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you; so confirming again with an oath what he had before declared, Ezekiel 20:3, wherefore they might assure themselves that they would not be acceptable to him, neither their persons nor petitions, or be regarded by him.
the firstfruits of your gifts; it may design their firstborn; see Ezekiel 20:26 as the following clause seems to explain it:
when ye make your sons to pass through the fire; or between two fires to Moloch, as their fathers had done before them;
ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day; by worshipping idols, or dunghill gods, as the word signifies, as often observed; they defiled themselves with those filthy things, which they continued to do to that very day, and so became more and more polluted; and were as their fathers had been, and therefore must expect to be used in like manner:
and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? can you think that I will suffer you to come and inquire of me or to make your requests to me? or can you hope to have an answer from me; at least a favourable one, such as you could wish for?
as I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you; so confirming again with an oath what he had before declared, Ezekiel 20:3, wherefore they might assure themselves that they would not be acceptable to him, neither their persons nor petitions, or be regarded by him.