Ezekiel 22:19

“Therefore thus saith the Lord God, because ye are all become dross, &c.] King, princes, nobles, prophets, priests, as well as the common people; the apostasy was general, in city and country; scarcely any exceptions to be made: therefore will I gather you into the midst of Jerusalem; from the several parts of the country, thinking they should be safe there, when the design of God by this providence was the destruction of them in it.”

“The fifth word of judgment. The furnace. In the besieged city the people shall be tried and purged. Ezekiel 22:18 Dross - A frequent metaphor which denotes not only the corruption of the people, who have become like base metal, but also a future purification whereby, the “dross” being burned away, the remnant of good may appear. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Gather you - From all parts. I will, by a secret over - ruling providence, bring you into Jerusalem, as into a furnace, where you may be consumed. Ezekiel 22:23”

“I will: Jerusalem is here represented as the fining pot; all the people, who had become dross, are to be gathered together in it; and the fire of the Chaldeans, blown by the wrath of God, is to melt the whole. No ordinary means will avail to purge their impurities; the most violent must therefore be resorted to. Eze 11:7, Eze 24:3-6; Mic 4:12; Mat 13:30, Mat 13:40-42 Ezekiel 22:20”