The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 40

IV. THAT Gon's NATURE GLOWS WITH FIEBYINDIGNATION AGAINST SIN, The glorious Being who occupied the throne, presented in one respect a twofold appearance. From the loins-as a dividing line-upwards he appeared as cliasmal, electron-as when gold and silver are fused in the'flame. From the loins downward there was the a1,pearance of fire. No other interpretation can be put upon this, but that the God of heaven was about to proceed on an errand of judgment. It was still in his heart to forgive, if only men would abandon the abominable thing; but the lower parts of hie person-his legs and feet-burned with fierce resolve to vindicate his outraged honour. Similar is the declaration of the .Apostle Paul, that "the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of his Son;" "He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire;" "Our God is a consuming Fire." V. THAT IN THE MIDST OF JUDGMENT Gon IS MINDFUL OF HIS COVENANTED MERCY, " .As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about." The execution of righteous retribution upon the ungodly will be an occasion of advantage, and blessing to the redeemed. The blacker the storm-cloud, the more clear and beauteous is the rainbow traced upon its departing form, when the Sun of Righteousness again shines forth. This is God's repeated proclamation of mercy-the renewal of his gracious covenant. This brightness was round about Jehovah's head-a halo of glory, a diadem of transcendent beauty- redemption's matchless crown. In it are blended all the attributes of Divine per- fection, from the scarlet hue of righteousness to the soft blue of perfect peace. "He will be ever mindful of his covenant;" and it increases our strong consolation to be ever mindful of it also. On the rain-drops this heavenly bow of beauty is sketched, ·as if to suggest that on the daily gifts which flow from the Divine hand we may discern the "everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure." VJ. THAT THE SUPBEME LOBD OF REA VEN AND EARTH STOOPS TO HOLD INTERCOURSE WITH MEN. This series of magnificent visions was intended to prepare the mind of the prophet to receive new disclosures of truth, new commissions of duty. The splendour of the scene, when once the prophet's visual organ was enlarged-the glorious sovereignty of Jehovah especially-£0 impressed and awed the prophet's mind, that he fell upon his face. Nothing so humbles the proud heart of man as the sight of God, or even a general sense of his nearness. In the presence of God's greatness, he perceived by contrast his own littleness; in the presence of God's purity, he saw his own vileness; under a sense of God's absolute rule, he was constrained to render glad and prompt obedience. Such lowliness of spirit is a prerequisite for the Master's service. "The meek will he teach his way." Because the lawgiver of Israel was the meekest of men, God" made known his ways unto Moses." So is it still. "With the froward thou wilt show thyself fro\'fard." Humility of mind is the only attitude in which we can wait with patience at wisdom's gate, and really pray, "Speak, Lord; for thy servants hear." And still God speaks to humble men. Prayer is not a mere traditional custom of piety. It is a real application poured into the attentive ear of God, and gracious messages of love come to w; in return. Said our Lord in his last days on earth, " If a man love me, he will keep my commandments, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Ezekiel-a man of like passions with ourselves -records, "I heard the voice of One that spake. ,._D. Vera. 1-3.-The Divine summons to the prophetic mission. "Now it came to po.ss in the thirtieth year," etc. Our text authorizes the following observations. The Divine summons to the prophetic mission- I. W A.8 ADDBl!illSED TO EZEKIEL A.T A. TIME WHICH HE VERY MINUTELY RECORDS. "Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month • . . . In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin'e captivity." This statement made with so much detail suggests: 1. That Ezekiel received this summons in vigorous manhood. We take " in the thirtieth year " as referring to the age of the prophet. 'l'he mighty call reached him when he had passed beyond the inexperience and immaturity of youth, and before the approach of the decay of either his physical or mental powers. Thirty years was the age at which the Levites in the wilderness entered upon their laborious duties (Numb. iv. 3). Jerome tJil. I, 1-28.J THE BOOK O.F THE PROPHET EZEKIEL.