Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 27

Verses 1-36

Ezekiel 27:17

'That is a remarkable verse, which I once met on a remarkable occasion, that I would also refer you to Ezekiel 27:17 . Tyrus may buy Judah's finest wheat; yea, her balm, and oil, and honey. What is the meaning of this? You would know what part of the parcel properly belonged to yourself.' So Erskine of Linlathen once wrote to Lady Elgin, cautioning her against hastily crediting supernatural visions and voices which appeared to possess Divine authority and insight, on the ground that even the best things of God may be appropriated sometimes by false agencies. 'I believe,' he has just said, 'that an evil spirit, or the flesh even, may speak of the deep things of God, although in a way that the true light and life in us might detect, or at least guard us from suffering by it.'

Ezekiel 27:26

So rapid was the fall of Spain, that in only three reigns after the death of Philip II., the most powerful monarchy existing in the world was depressed to the lowest point of debasement, was insulted with impunity by foreign nations, was reduced more than once to bankruptcy, was stripped of her fairest possessions, was held up to public opprobrium.... Then, truly, did she drink to the dregs the cup of her own shame. Her glory had departed from her, she was smitten down and humbled. Well might a Spaniard of that time who compared the present with the past, mourn over his country, the chosen abode of chivalry and romance, of valour and of loyalty. The mistress of the world, the queen of the ocean, the terror of nations was gone; her power was gone, no more to return.

Buckle, History of Civilization, book II. chap. viii.

Reference. XXVII. 26. Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxxii. No. 1933.