The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 93

Vers. I-8.-Vicarious suffering. Every true prophet is a forerunner of Jesus Christ. We do not detract from the work of the Saviour-we magnify it-when we discern that the same kind of work (though not equal in measure or effectiveness) had been done by the prophets. Ezekiel was called of God, not only to teach heavenly doctrine, but also to suffer for the people. "Thou shalt bear their iniquities." No one can be a. faithful servant of God who does not suffer for the cause he serves. Suffering is the badge of a Divine commission. L EVERY PROPHET IS A VICAB.. He represents God before the people; he represents the people before God. In his whole person, action, suffering, mission, he is a type of Jesus Christ. When men will not listen to his words, he is commanded to speak to them by deeds. The life of the prophet is a. prophecy. Ezekiel deals with these captives as with sullen children. To the ignorant he became as ignora.nt. He con- descended to their low estate. Being made dumb by reason of their perversity, he pursues his heavenly task in another way-he teaches them by pictures, object-lesson, deed-symbol. It is "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a. little." So long as there remains an avenue to the heart, God will not abandon men. II. Hrs SUFFERING IB VICARIOUS. This prophet was not himself free from sin, and suffering was its effect. Yet the suffering described in this chapter is wholly vicarious. What was justly due to others was laid upon him by God. "I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity." Yet this was impossible without the prophet's willing consent. In proportion as the prophet's mind had expanded under the Divine afflatus, he had considered and comprehended the magnitude of Israel's sin. '!'heir past and their present iniquity was clear and vivid to bis mind. He saw its extent and aggra- vation. He perceived the moral turpitude. He felt its baseness and criminality. He foresaw its bitter fruits. The burden of a nation's sin pressed upon bis conscience. He drew it in upon himself a.nd confessed it before God. But, further, Ezekiel repre- sented in himself the severity of Divine judgment-God's sense of sin. Hence he was required to lie upon one side for the space of three hundred and ninety days-a pain to himself, a. passive rebuke to the people, in order to represent in visible form God's indignation. Yet there was pictured forth also Divine compassion. Just severity was alleviated; there was but a day for a year. Jerusalem was sacrificed, but it was in order that the people might be saved. Not an item was overlooked by God. 'l'he proportionate guilt of Israel and Judah was vividly symbolized in the several acts of tbe prophet. The one end sought was--repentance. Ill. HIS ACTION 1s VICABIOUB. 'l'he prophet was a Hebrew, a priest; he loved Jerusalem. Pr1ssibly affection was bestowed on the city, which belonged alone to err. Iv. 1-17.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 81