And in the case which is not mentioned here, but is yet among the possible results of his work, viz. the.t the wicked should believe bis message, and turn unto the Lord. "Brethren, if e.ny of you do err from the truth, and one convert him," etc. (Jas. v. 19, 20). Who can estimate the blessedness of a result like this? CoNCLUBION. Our subject presents: 1. The strongest reasons for fidelity on the part of the ministers of the gospel of Jesus Ohrist. 2. The strongest reasons why the Ohurch of JesUB Ghrist should constantly aid his ministers by earnest prayers on their behalf. (Cf. Eph. vi. 18--20; Col. iv. 3, 4; 2 Thess. iii. 1, 2.)-W. J. Vers. 22, 23.-God communicating with man. "And the hand of the Lord was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise," etc. The text presents for our notice- !. THE GRAOIOUS PREPARATION OF MAN FOB THE RECEPTION OF DIVINE COMllIC~I- OATIONS. "And the hand of the Lord was there upon me." (We have already briefly noticed the significance of this expression in dealing with eh. i. 3.) Ezekiel seems to have been grieved and saddened in spirit (vers. 14, 15). Such depression unfitted him for receiving co=unications from God. Therefore "the hand of the Lord," the power of the Lord, came upon him to quicken him for the reception of the reveiation of his will. God prepares his servants for his service. He qualifies and enables them to sustain exalted privileges, to perform arduous duties, to bear severe trials. II. AN IMPORTANT CONDITION, FOR MAN, OF THE RECEPTION OF DrvI:SE COMMUNI- CATIONS. "Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee." Ezekiel is thus commanded to depart from Tel-Abib and his fellow-captives, and to go, not to the" plain extending to the river, but to a certain valley between the mountain-walls there "-for such is the signification of the word which is translated "plain" in the Authorized Version. Retirement was a condition of communion and communication with God. If the prophet would hear his voice and behold his glory, he must go into the lonely valley. " God makes himself known to the mind only when it has been entirely withdrawn from worldly influences. We must be in the valley; but we may be in the bustling town, and yet in the valley" (Hengstenberg). (W c have spoken of solitude and quiet as favouring Divine communications in our remarks on eh. i. 1: "By the river of Chebar.") Ill. THE CONDESCENSION OF GOD IN THE BESTOWMENT UPON MAN OF DIVINE COMllIUNIOATIONB. With Ezekiel the Lord communicated in two ways. 1. By speech. "I will there talk with thee." God made known his will to his servant. Spiritually, he thus communicates with his people still. In infinite condescension, "the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, and who dwells in the high and holy place," also makes his abode in the hearts of his people (Isa. !vii. 15; John xiv. 23). They have intimate fellowship with him (1 John i. 3). He will even ,isit them as their Guest, and sup with them (Rev. iii. 20). They are blessedly conscious of his presence with them. By his Spirit he speaks unto them. 2. By vision. "Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the Lord stood there," etc. '!'he glory of the Lord which the prophet beheld was like that which he saw before, and which he mentions in eh. i. 28. (We have already remarked on the grant- ing of Divine visions to man, on eh. i. 1: "I saw visions of God.") And in our own times God opens the spiritual eyes of man, and grants unto him spiritual visions. Visions of truth and purity and beauty he exhibits to his people. He even revea.~s himself unto them. Our Lord promised to manifest himself unto his loving and obedient disciples (John xiv. 21). "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see Go,!." IV. 'I'HE IMMEDIATE EFFECT UPON MAN OF DrVINE COMMUNICATIONS. "And I fell ~n my face." 1. The sight of such glory humbles man with the sense of his own immeasurable iriferiority. 2. The sight of S'll,Ch glory overwhelms man by qitickenin,q his consciousness of sin into great~r activity. 3. Such humiliation is a condition of hearing the voice of God.1-W. J.
Vere. 24-27.-The temporary suspension of the active ministry of the prophet. ''. Then the Spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet," etc. Seclusion aucl silence :"ere enjoin~d upon Ezekiel for a time. Our text teaches that the tcmpomry 1uspens1on of his active ministry- ' ~ These three points nre stated nt greater length in our homily on oh, i. 28-ii. 2. 70 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [011. m. 1-27.