The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 55

the effect to be produced by their ministry, Fanatics would have felt assured that, in such circumstances, they must meet with ready credence and immediate obe,lience. Ezekiel certainly ha.d no such delusive anticipations, and was indeed expressly warned that bis message would meet with varying reception. Some would bear, some would forbear. It was with Ezekiel as in the Christian dispensation it was with Paul; we are told that the result of his ministry at Rome was that "some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved." IV. '!'HE IMPRESSION PRODUCED BY GoD's MESSENGER UPON THOSE TO WHOM HE wAS BENT. "They shall know that there hath been a prophet among them." Even those who were so much under the influence of ignorance, prejudice, evil example, and sin, that they did not and would not tum unto God, nevertheless were well aware that their obstinate impiety was unjustifiable. They might ridicule tbe prophet in their language, but they reverenced him in their hearts. Beneath the laugh of incredulity was a deep- seated fear, springing from an inward conviction that the voice they rejected was indee,l the voice of God. Had one come among them flattering their vanity and pride, and minis- tering to their sinful tastes, they would in their heart of hearts have despised him. But when one came fearlessly upbraiding them with their unfaithfulness, and denouncing their guilty defection, they could not but know that a prophet had been among them.. .APPLICATION. This passage has an especial significance for ministers of God's Word,: and for all religious teachers. It shows them where their strength lies; warns them against enunciating their own speculations or inculcating precepts founded upon their own experience; and directs them to go among their fellow-men with this dignified and effective message, "Thus saith the Lord." They may be tempted to court men's favour and good will by uttering words of flattery. But it is well that, when so tempted, they should remember that there is in men a conscience, which may be repressed, bnt which cannot be crushed, which renders a homage, though silent, to the just authority of truth and righteousness, and which recognizes, even though it does not lead to practical obedience, the precepts and the warnings which are from God.-T. Ver. 8.-Prophetic receptiveness. This Book of Ezekiel is one abounding in figure and symbol; it would be a. mistake to take all its contents literally. When we read that the prophet was required by God to eat that which was given him, and are then informed that a written scroll was that which was to be eaten, we are at first surprised. But then we recollect that eating has been in many religions regarded as a sacred and ~ymbolical act. The Mosaic dispensation had its Paschal meal, and the Christian religion has its sacrament of the Lord's Supper. So that the symbol of the text is quite in accordance with the practices which, upon Divine authority, have prevailed in the Church throughout the ages. I. lN ORDER THAT THE TEACHER MAY IMPART TO HIS FELLOW-MEN, HE MUST FIRST RECEIVE FROM Goo. That this is the meaning of the symbol of this passage is evident from the context. It was in connection with the prophet's commission that he was bidden to eat the scroll. It was thus that he was to fit and qualify himself for his special ministry; he was to take from God, that he might he.ve wherewith to supply the needs of the p'lople. II. 'l'HE REVELATION OF GOD MUST BE GRADUALLY A~D COMPLETELY APPROPRIATED AND ASSIMILATED DY THE MINISTER OF DIVINE TRUTH, Eating is I\ process by which suitable nutriment is introduced into the bodily systet11, and adsimiluted by the organs of digestion, so that it both builds up the bodily structure and supplies tho organism with renewed power for life-work. Such is the function fulfilled by God's truth iu con- nection with the spiritual being and life. The teacher of the revealed mind and will oC the Supreme cannot be fitted for his service by a superficial and slight acquaintance with his message. That message must sink into the depths of his nature, must penetrate his being, must enter into all the functions of the spiritual life. III. THE RELIGIOUS TEACHER MAY HAVE TO OONTEND WITH AND OVERCOME NATURAL DISINOLINATIONB TOWARDS SOME PARTS OF THE MINISTRY ENTRUSTED TO HIM. The requirement of God could not but awaken in the prophet's mind something of repng- nauce. Tho scroll hll was bidden to ee.t was filled with lamentations, mourning, and woo; tho message he was commissioned to deliver was a me~sago of reproach, ot £.xpostule.tion, of warning, of threatening. Such a ministry could not be ugreoable to  THE BOOit OF TilE PROPHET EZEKIEt. ton. 11. 1-10. his natural inclinations ; he must have shrunk from it as uncongenial and distasteful. It must often happen that the fulfilment of duty is distressing to the faithful e.nd yet sensitive preacher of righteousness; it is a bitter thing to deliver a message of condem- nation to one's fellow-men. IV. YET IT IS SWEET TO OBEY AND TO FULFIL THE COMMANDS 011' THE Lonn. When the disinclination to undertake the painful commission had been overcome, a profound satisfaction followed. The prophet found that in keeping God's commandments there is great reward. The distress is temporary and brief; the satisfaction is lasting. The surgeon may often inflict pain upon his patient ; the physician may see it right to order a course of treatment which is repulsive. To act wisely and conscientiously may, in such cases, be painful. But let the duty be discharged, and there follows a true satisfaction. It was so with Ezekiel ; it is so with every true and faithful servant of God. The office may be one arduous and difficult, painful and repugnant; yet, if it is the office to which God calls a man, obedience and fidelity, the unshrinking fulfilment of the service, will bring a rich reward. Sweet are the delights of those who conquer self, who yield themselves up to the service of that Saviour who himself carried the cross. They shall enter into the joy of the Lord.-T.