A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1

Edward Hayes Plumptre [1821-1891] · 364,205 words · 401 reading sections

SECTION 361

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 361

Ver. 40.-God's holy mountain. I. THE BITE:. God's holy mountain is the site of the temple at Jerusalem. God promises his people that the exile will cease, that they shall return and worship him once more at the old sacred spot. Note the characteristics of it. 1. It is e,xa,lted. A mountain. Jerusalem is two thousand fe…

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SECTION 362

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 362

repentnnce; (2) in Christ, and on account of his merits; (3) fundamentally, because of his own forgiving love. IV. 'l'HE BAOIUFICE8. The people, while they render service, do this especially by means of tbe offerings that they bring. 1. They express gratitude. Sacrifices for sin are excluded from this passage. Doubtle…

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SECTION 363

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 363

Ver. 49.-The obscurity of revelation. I. Tim TEACIIING OF DIVINE REVELATION IS SOMETIMES OliSCURED. It was a fact that Ezekiel had been speaking in parables. No other prophet indulged so freely in symbolical language. His writings are a garden of luxnrinnt metaphors, which often blossom into elaborate allegories. This …

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SECTION 364

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 364

II. Goo's WILLINGNESS TO nEPLY FULLY AND GRACIOUSLY TO THE APPLICATHl:sr OF EARNEST INQUIRERS. If there is one lesson more than another inculcated with lreq nency and coustancy in the pages of Scripture, it is this-that the eternal Father is accessible to his children, that there is no need which they can bring unto hi…

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SECTION 365

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 365

V ers. 10-17.-The memory of the wilderness of Sinai. The circumstances employed bv the Most High to make Israel a nation were of the most marvellous and romantic kinds. Psalmists and prophets, nay, even Christian apostles and deacons, looking back upon the events of early lsraelitish history, felt the fascination of…

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SECTION 366

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 366

Vers. 32-38.-Tlie purpose of Israel,'s election. The prophecy at this point turns from the story of the past to the prediction and prospect of the future. I. Goo's PURPOSES CANNOT BE FULFILLED BY THE ABSORPTION OF ISRAEL A.MONG THE HEATHEN, Exile and dispersion were appointed as chastisement and discipline. And there…

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SECTION 367

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 367

mont of moral qualities is a pregnant truth. On this ground it was that all tho rnnrtyrs' blood, from Abel clownward, accumuhitecl upon the men in our Lorrl's aPe, IV. NEaLEOT OF DIVINE ADMONITION 1s FnESH BIN. The knowledge of? past ndmonition adds to our responsibility. Warnings addressed to our ancestors are war…

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SECTION 368

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 368

tion of the people, when they should he scattered among all the nations. A desert is the outward emblem of man's desolation through sin. Iniquity has made a desert in his heHrt, in his home, in the nation-a desert in all his surroundings. Thel'e under a ~pnse of his folly and misfortune, God condescends to plead wit…

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SECTION 369

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 369

III. l'nOXll\llTY TO EVIL MEN CONSTITUTES A DANGER, All the trees in a forest are not eqtmlly dessicated. Yet such becomes the fierceness of the flame, fed by the drier trees, tho.t those less dessicated are reduced to ashes. Men may be less gnilty than their neighbours; they may flaUer themselves that they are not so …

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SECTION 370

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 370

rn,,tiv,'s. They ml\y evrn seek him in prayer in n wrong spirit-in an unbelicvin"', unrnh111issirn, selfish, worldly spirit. If we wonld draw near to him acceptably arfd prolitnlily, we "must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewanler of them that seek after him;" we must be humble and reverent; we must bow loyal…

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SECTION 371

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 371

myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the Lorcl your God." The day when God chose Israel and made himself known unto them as their God was the time when he interposed on their behalf by his servant Moses. He chose them; they did not choose him. They did not seek…

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SECTION 372

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 372

springs. It proceeds from an impure heart, and it makes tho heart still more impure. D~vid_ ~as_ co~scious of )ts d!filement when he prayed, "Wash me throu~bly from mme 1mquity, etc. (l's. h. 2, ,, 10). The people of God are under the most binding obligations to shun everything that would lead to their moral contami…

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SECTION 373

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 373

my judgrnents, which if a man do, he shall live in them." Statt1tes and judgments express tho general ideo. of lo.w. This God gave to them at Sinai, soon after their deliverance from Egypt. And this Law was given for life unto them (cf. Exod. xx. 12; Matt. xix. 17; Rom. vii. 10, 12). "The precepts which God gave his…

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SECTION 374

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 374

irreparable loss and injury to man. 3. Successiveness in sin. "The children rebelled against me," etc. (ver. 21). 'fhe younger generation were far from being so wicked as their fathers (Josh. xxiv. 31); they were also far from being true and faithful in their relation to the Lord their God. Scott says truly "that th…

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SECTION 375

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 375

his own unmerited favowr. Though not expressed, this is clearly implied here (cf. Deut. vii. 6-8; ix. 4-6). God's kindness to us has been great and undeserved. Who ce.n count the multitude of his mercies, or estimate their preciousness? "The Lord he.th dealt bountifully with us." II. GnEAT KINDNESS DASELY REQmTED, 1. …

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SECTION 376

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 376

Vers. 30---32.-God, and Isi·ael in the then pi·esent. "Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Aro ye polluted after the manner of your fathers?" etc. The Lord Jehovah throu~h his prophet now addresses himself to tho Israel of that day, and especially to the elders who had come to the prophe…

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SECTION 377

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 377

}Jis name Jehovah. 'l'ho very reverse would be much more in harmony with it, namely, that the heathen should become like Israel." The Church of God is not to be conformed to and lost in the world; but the world is to be conformed to the Church anrl to be included therein. The kingdoms of the world are to become the kin…

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SECTION 378

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 378

of "the defort of historical notices concerning the state of the exiles." Some idea of them may, perhaps, be gathered from the words," Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God" (cf. Exoil. x.xxii. 25-29; Numb. xiv. 21-23; xvi. 31-35, 41-49;…

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SECTION 379

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 379

with your gifts, and with your iclolR." Hengstenberg and the 'Speaker's 0-,mmentary • ta.ke this view of the verse. "You h:1ve pretended," sfl.ys Greenhill," that by yr,ur idols set up in my stead, and the gifts you have offered to them, or by them to me, that you have honoured my Name, but by joining them and me toget…

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SECTION 380

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 380

tion !Lit.her. God by the gospel restores man to his forfeited inheritance. By sin man was cx1lf'd from Eden; by the grace of God in Christ Jesus he is introduced into a holier and more beautiful Paradise. "When Divine grace renews the heart of the fallen sinner, Paradise is regained, and much of its beauty restored…

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SECTION 381

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 381

nnd rny to tho forest of the south, Hear the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lon! God; llohold I will kindle a firo in thee .... Son of man, set thy face toward ,Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel; and say to the ln,nd of Israel, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I …

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SECTION 382

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 382

if it be logical, he is too dry; if it be fervid, he is too enthusiastic. They blame the preacher wilen the fault is in themselves-they are out of sympathy with his message, 2. The adequa.te resource of a faithful servant of God when su~ject to discoumgement. He ran do as Ezekiel did, state his difficulties and trials …

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SECTION 383

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 383

aotion wae meant to leo.d to questions. at naught, reject every tree;" and the latter, Who.t did it mean? And then he is to "'fhou who guidest the sceptre of my son, answer tho.t he does it "for the tidings" thou hast out down." On the whole, (1) which nro to him o.e certain o.e if they had seems to rest on better grou…

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SECTION 384

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 384

n u,1 it slrn.11 not be," elo. This will be a suffi- with names (in this msc probably Rl\bbn.lh ciont summnry of I.he difficulties of the exe- and Jerus11lem) written on thom. Ono wne geticRl problem. At the best, we must so.y then drawn, or thrown, out its by oho.nee, l\n,l thRl it reme.ins unsolved. decided tl1e dir…

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SECTION 385

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 385

Oho.ldean king only, but Jehovo.h himself, The passage is noticeable e.s being Ezekiel'3 to remember and to punish them. first distinct utterance of the hope of 11. Ver. 25.-Aud thou, profane wioked prince personal Messiah. Afterwards, in eh. xxxi v. of J'udah, etc. ; better, with the Revised 23, it is definite enough…

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SECTION 386

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 386

I. IT IS A FACT THAT THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER WITH THE WICKED. We see this fact in everyday experience, and it would be a falsehood to formulate a doctrine which i;eemed to our short-sighted jndgment more just, if it did interpret events. 1. Froin human conduct. The bad policy of a king brings war and its attendant mise…

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SECTION 387

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 387

the lowest passions. Hatred and bloodthirsty vengeance are engendered, and men are brought down to the level of wild brutes. Too often savage lust follows, and the viltist outrages are committed. 11. THI!l SWORD OF WAB MAY BE UBED AS A DIVINE CHASTISEMENT. 1. Slwrpened by sin. Nntional misconduct lays a people open to…

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SECTION 388

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 388

AS BOON AS THEY ARE COMMITTED, He is present when the deeds are done; his eyes nre alw11ys open to observe the conduct of his cre11tures; he is not negligent of sin. We start, therefore, with the position that there is no such thing as secret sin. The appeo.r- a.nce of secrecy a.rises from the fact that the great Wi…

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SECTION 389

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 389

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS .AUTHORS. Vera. 3-5.-Undiscriminating infliction. It is a pathetic spectacle, this of the prophet, in his exile away in the north-east, turning by Divine command his gaze, sorrowful and sympathizing, towards Jerusalem, the holy places, the land of Israel. 'l'he present is sad enough, but Ezekiel ha…

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SECTION 390

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 390

many cases of individual hardship, and even injustice. How can this be avoided? The Judge of all the ee.rth will surely do right. How, then, can we explain the fact that-in the language of Ezekiel-the Eternal, with his sword, cuts off the righteous and the wicked? V. THIS ARRANGEMENT IS EXPLAINED DY, AND IlARMONTZES W…

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SECTION 391

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 391

Vers. 18-32.-The impartiality of Divine Justice. Very picturesque and memorable is this portion of Ezekiel's prophecies. The prophet in his vision beholds the King of Babylon on his way to execute the purposes of God upon the rebellious and treacherous prince of Judah, and qpon his partakers in sin. He sees him at some…

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SECTION 392

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 392

Vers. 1-17.-Irresistt"ble slaughter. The subject-matter of this prophecy is sub- stantially the same as the foregoing. The parable is now put into plai~est language. 'l'here is an advantaue in using the parable method. It awakens attent10n. It leads men to examine and ~eflect. There is an excitement in discovering a ri…

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SECTION 393

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 393

events l\re directed into the cha.nnol of his purpose, a.nd aid in the final consummation of his righteous end. I. GoD USES EVEN WIOKED MEN To DO ms WORK, If he employed only righteous men, he would have to reject the service of the huma.n species, There is a class of i::ervices which men render consciously and intent…

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SECTION 394

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 394

their dread work e.t Jeruse.lem and among itR inhabitants. 2. It was furbished for terror. "And also furbished, . . . it is furbished that it may glitter." The sword was burnished, that by its glittering it might dismay those against whom it waH drawn (cf. Deut. xxxii. 41). The truth thus taught seems to be that the ac…

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SECTION 395

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 395

Vers. 18-27.-The approachingjudgment. "The word of the Lord ea.me unto me again, saying, Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways," etc. The followin~ homiletic points a.re suggested by this para.graph. I. THE DESTINATION OF THE APPROACHING JUDGMENT DETERMINED BY Goo, THOUGH THE AGENTS THEREOF WERE UNCONSCIOUS …

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SECTION 396

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 396

Jiving God! How strikingly did it show that the greatest potentates on earth, and cvon the spiritual wickednesK in high places, have their bounds appointed to them by tho hand of God, and that, however majestically they may seem to conduct themselves, still they cannot overstep the prescribed limits, and must be kept i…

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SECTION 397

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 397

of the king we.s but the harvest of which he himself had sown the seed. In due season God himself will justify all his dealings with men. IV. REVOLUTIONS IN BUMAN HISTORY LEADING TO TRE ADVENT OF THE RIGHTFUL SOVEREIGN OF MAN. "I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: this also shall be no more until be come whose r…

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SECTION 398

The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 398

earth ns vnnity;" "The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will;" "His kingdom ruleth over all." He removes the leader of a nation's aITairs, nnd disorder, disturbance, and immense change follow. He sends the light of truth to oppressed peoples, and they arise and claim their freedom.…

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The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 399

at.tack their city, Rabbe.th. Reproach is a bitter thing, nnd hard to bear. David found it ~o, and said, "Reproach_ bath broken my heart." And it is a mean and cruel thing to mfhct reproaches, especially upon the weak, the unfortunate, or the suffering. '].'ho ~mmonit~~ reproached the Israelites: (2) By deeds. Rabba…

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The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 400

'l'REH'B PAGE Faithful among the Faithless 35 Visions of God ... 7, 13 " Son of Man" 36 " '.l.'he Likeness of a Man" ... 8 Rebellious N e.tions 37 Stroightforwardness 9 The Prophet's Commission... 38 The Bright Fire ... 10 Prophetic Receptiveness 39 Wheels of Providence 11 '.l.'he Scroll 40 'fhe Rainbow 11 The Interlac…

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The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 401

THEIi!! PAGE TRRME PAOB Misplaced Sorrow 234 How God's Anger ceases 282 Pretended Prophets 235 Remembering the Da.ys of Youth 283 The Vanity of Fla.ttering Oounsel 236 The Salva.tion of Sodom 283 False Prophetesses 237 The Everla.sting Covena.nt ... 284 The Perils of Falseness 238 Confounded by Memory 285 The Foolish B…

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Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.

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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.