So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
The foregoing verses spoke conviction to the Jews who remained in the land of Israel, who were monuments of sparing mercy and yet returned not to the Lord; in these verses those are reproved who were now in captivity in Babylon, under divine rebukes, and yet were not reformed by them. They are not indeed charged with the same gross enormities that the others are charged with.
Commenting on Ezekiel 33:30-33
And when this cometh to pass,.... The prophecy before delivered out, concerning the desolations in the land of Israel, by the sword, pestilence, and wild beasts: lo, it will come; whatever is predicted by the Lord; in the mouth of his prophets, certainly comes to pass: then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them; and acknowledge it; and particularly that Ezekiel was...
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.