Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

We have here the Prophet Ezekiel surrounded with certain of the Elders of Israel, to hear him preach. The Lord himself answers them.

What a striking representation is here of the Church in all ages! As it was with Ezekiel in Babylon; so is it now in the Egypt of the present world. In our congregations we know not who they are that sit before us. But the Lord knows who they are, and all the motives of their coming. And, oh! that all hypocritical followers of the Church of God would listen to what the Lord here saith, the Lord will not be enquired of such, but will give them his own tremendous answers!

There is a great beauty in the original, both at this verse and at verse 7th. Thus saith the Lord God, every man; it is man, man, intimating somewhat stronger than the phrase every man, the doubling or reiteration of man. I beg the reader to remark also those two grand and solemn expressions in this passage, first, the Lord's answering him by himself; and, secondly, the Lord's setting his face against that man. Reader! can your imagination fancy anything more solemn or alarming!

There is somewhat most awful in what the Lord here saith of deceiving the Prophet. The sense seems to be this. When men heap to themselves teachers having itching ears, and turn away from the truth, and are turned unto fables, the Lord gives them up to strong delusions to believe a lie. Awful judgment! 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Job 12:16. But I beg the Reader, when he hath paid due attention to this part of the subject, not to overlook, but earnestly keep in view, the Lord's design in all this, and the over-ruling power of God to make good spring out of evil, for Israel's sake his glory. That the house of Israel go not anymore astray, but remember their covenant relations to God; that they may be my people, and I their God, with the Lord God: Oh! how blessed, how infinitely blessed and gracious this is!

We have no difficulty in explaining sin as the cause of sorrow. The four sore judgments of God, famine, the sword, wild beasts, and pestilence, are among the rods by which guilty nations, in all ages, have been scourged. But when Noah, Daniel, and Job, are spoken of as beings saved from general destruction by their righteousness, this can only be explained upon Gospel principles. The unerring language of the Word of God is, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; and, therefore, by the deeds of the law can no flesh be justified in God's sight. I humbly conceive, therefore, that those three men are here introduced as types of Christ. Noah by faith is said to have prepared an ark for the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews 11:7. This explains the whole. These types of Christ represent the person and righteousness of Jesus, by whom alone they, and every individual heir of faith, could obtain salvation.

What a gracious close is made to this solemn chapter! I hope the reader will not overlook it or lose sight of it. Can anything be more lovely, more interesting, or more recommending, in proof of the Divine mercy? Observe the several sweet particulars contained in those two verses: Yet, saith the Lord - it forms a blessed yet, as if the Lord had said, Yet, in spite of all Israel's sins and Israel's unworthiness, there shall be a remnant that shall be brought forth. Yes, Reader, there is, there must be, in the worst of times a remnant according to the election of grace. Romans 11:5. And observe further, this remnant shall be brought forth from the general wreck and ruin of the pestilence and sword. Genesis 19:29. And observe yet more, this remnant shall be both of sons and daughters. Yes, there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, for they are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28. Still more: the Lord saith, they shall come forth to His Church to His people. Yes! all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:5. Neither is this all. The Lord's people shall see their way, and shall be comforted concerning the evil brought upon Jerusalem. Yes! while the redeemed of the Lord sing their songs of salvation on the sea of glass, they no less shout in the view of the ruin of the enemies of God, and of His Christ. They then finally and fully know, that the Lord hath not done without cause all that He hath done, in the overthrow of the wicked and the salvation of the righteous. Then will that song burst forth from ten thousand times ten thousand tongues: Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of Saints. Revelation 15:2-3.

REFLECTIONS

READER! have you never seen a congregation like the one here described by the Prophet? But what a bubble is man to himself, that thus trifles with the Lord and deceives his own heart? Lord! help both Writer and Reader to keep the foot when, going to the house of God, and earnestly desire to worship God, who is a Spirit in spirit and in truth.

Precious Lord Jesus! do I set in Thy types Noah, Daniel, and Job, behold yet more and more Thy glorious person, work, and righteousness? What but Thine holiness, O Thou Lamb of God! can shelter from Divine wrath in the day of Divine visitation? And what but Thy blood, sprinkled on the consciences, can keep the destroying angel from entering in on the day of slaughter the houses even of thy Israel? Oh! Almighty God and Father! we bless Thee for Thy grace and mercy, and the fulfillment of all Thy covenant engagements, in bringing out from destruction, and bringing home to everlasting safety, the remnant of Thy sons and daughters. Blessed forever be Jehovah, in all his doings and all his ways. Truly, Lord, it must be said, both in judgment and in mercy the Lord hath done all things well. He hath made all things for himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil!