Ezekiel 33:31

“And they come unto thee as the people cometh, &c.] As the people of God, who came to the prophets’s house to hear him preach the word, and explain it for their spiritual profit and edification these came when they did, and as early and constantly, and with seeming pleasure: and they sit before thee as my people; with great decency and reverence, and very gravely and demurely, and with seeming devotion, and stay the time out till the whole service is over; as scholars sit at the feet of their masters, to hear and learn their doctrines. So the Targum, “and they come unto thee as the men the disciples come:” and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; they gave him the hearing, and…”

“as the people cometh--that is, in crowds, as disciples flock to their teacher. sit before thee--on lower seats at thy feet, according to the Jewish custom of pupils (Deu 33:3; Kg2 4:38; Luk 10:39; Act 22:3). as my people--though they are not. hear . . . not do-- (Mat 13:20-21; Jam 1:23-24). they show much love--literally, "make love," that is, act the part of lovers. Profess love to the Lord (Mat 7:21). GESENIUS translates, according to Arabic idiom, "They do the delights of God," that is, all that is agreeable to God. Vulgate translates, "They turn thy words into a song of their mouths." heart goeth after . . . covetousness--the grand rival to the love of God; therefore called "idolatry,"…”

“The exhortation to repentance. Ezekiel first addresses the remnant that still linger in their ancient home, and warns them against presumptuous hopes resting on false grounds Ezekiel 33:23-29; then he turns his eyes to those near him, and points out that their apparent attention to his words was illusory. Ezekiel 33:24 Those wastes - The places in the holy land devastated by the conqueror. Abraham - The argument is, Abraham was but one man, and he had the promise of the land, though he did not at once possess it; much more shall we, the descendants of Abraham, being many, retain this promise and possess the land, though for a time we are depressed and subject. Compare Matthew 3:9; John 8:33,…”

“They come - As if they were really the people of God. They sit - So we find the elders of Judah, Eze 8:1, so the disciples of the rabbis sat at their feet. Next: Ezekiel Chapter 34”

“as the people cometh: Heb. according to the coming of the people, Eze 8:1, Eze 14:1, 20:1-32; Luk 10:39; Act 10:33 they sit before thee as my people: or, my people sit before thee and they: Jer 6:16, Jer 6:17, Jer 43:1-7, Jer 44:16; Mat 7:24-27; Luk 6:48, Luk 6:49, Luk 8:21, Luk 11:28; Jam 1:22-24 for with: Deu 5:28, Deu 5:29; Psa 78:36, Psa 78:37; Isa 29:13; Jam 2:14-16; Jo1 3:17, Jo1 3:18 show much love: Heb. make loves, or jests, Isa 28:13; Jer 23:33-38; Luk 16:14 but their: Mat 6:24, Mat 13:22, Mat 19:22; Luk 12:15-21; Eph 5:5; Ti1 6:9, Ti1 6:10 Ezekiel 33:32”