JII. THE SUPREME CONTROLLER OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROVIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT OF GoD. (Vers. 22-28.) Notice: 1. The manifestation of the God-Man. Vile have spoken of the manifestation of the God-Man; but Ezekiel does not say that he saw either man or God. Very guarded are his words: "Upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it" (ver. 26). He tells us that he also saw " the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord" (ver. 28). It was a vision, perhaps as clear as the prophet was capable of receiving, of the Divine- Human. We can have no doubt of the Person thus indicated. It was a foreshadowing of the incarnation of the Son of God; an anticipation of God manifest in the flesh. 2. The supremacy of the God-lifan. "Upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it." The Lord is upon the throne. He is the great Head of the providential government of God. All created life, and all nature's forces, are subject to his control. "All power is given unto him in heaven and in earth." This fact is rich in consolation and in inspiration to all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. The gracious fidelity of the God-Man. "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness that was round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." The meaning of "the bow that is in the cloud" is determined by Gen. ix. 12-17. It indicates that in the severe judgments which were coming upon the chosen people, God would not forget the gracious covenant which he had made with their fathers. Even the judgments would be inflicted for their well-being, and after the judgments there would be a return of prosperity and of the manifest favour of God (cf. Isa. liv. 7-10). In wrath he remembers mercy. The God-Man presides over the providential government of our world in infinite fidelity and grace. He reigns to bless and to save. CoNCLUSION. 1. Let us believe in this glorious government. "The Lord reign.eth." 2. Let us render loyal obedience to the gra,cious King.-W. J.
Ver. 28 (part of)-ch. ii. 2.-The overwhelming and the f'eviving in Divine revtlations. "And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of One that spake. And he said unto me, Son of man,'' etc. 'l'wo main lines of meditation are sug!,!ested by these verses. J. 'J.'HE MANIFESTATION OF THE DIVINE GLORY OVERWHELMS EVEN TIIE DEST OF MEN IN THEIR PRESEN'l' STATE. When he saw" the appearance of the likeness of t.he glory of the Lord," Ezekiel fell upon his face. We find the same thing in eh. iii. ~3 ; xliii. 3; :x.liv. 4. Isaiah felt himself "undone" when he "saw the Lord sitting upon a throne" (vi. 5). Daniel, after a vision of heavenly !!:lory, was emptied of all strength (x. 8). And even St. John, the beloved disciple, who had reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, when he saw the revelation of his majesty, "fell at his feet as dead" (Rev. i. 17). 1. The sight of such glory humbles man with the sense of his own immeasurable inferiority. How vast is the disparity between the Creator and tbe creature! He, "the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy, and who dwelleth in the high and holy place;" we, frail men "that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, and are crushed before the moth." It is humiliating to reflect upon the infinite distance between the glory of God nnd our insignificance and meanness and shame. Such COllsiderations rebuke those persoll& OH, I, 1-28.] THE DOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 29