The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 101

I. A HIGH PRIVILEGE. Jerusalem was privileged in her position; so is England to-day. The products of all the world pour into our markets. The garnered experience of the ages and the wide wealth of thought that grows in many minds are at our disposal. Jerusalem in the days of the prophets had many faults, but narrow-minded- ness was not one. We see her seated on the great plain of the world's history. In like manner there is a happy richness, a variety and breadth of knowledge, of which we in England to-day are able to avail ourselves. As individuals, we are in the midst of many enriching sources. •rennyson's Ulysses says, " I am a part of all that I have met." We are able to profit by multitudinous influences from many quarters. We should not stult.ify these influences by parochial narrowness, but welcome and use all the helps God sends, e.g. in good books, inspiriting lives, wise and good public movements. II. A UNIQUE POSITION. Jerusalem was in the midst of the nations, yet she was separate from them, She was not to follow the example of her neighbours. She was caJled to a unique destiny. Alone knowing the true God, she was to serve him in the full blaze of the world, but in separation from the contamination of neighbouring religions. This is the Christian destiny; not to forsake society and cultivate religion in seclusion, but to live in the world, yet free from the spirit of the world-a citizen of heaven residing as God's ambassador on earth. III. A GREAT MISSION. Jerusalem was planted in the midst of the nations to be a power for good among them. God did not convey his chosen people to some distant "Isles of the Blessed." They were set down in the centre of the great stage of the world's history. They were a separate people, it is true-a sort of Belgium between Egypt and .Assyria-the France and Germany of those days. But they had their mission in the end, to give the true religion to a.11 nations. England is most advan- tageously situated for blessing other nations. We of all peoples should be a missionary nation. The Church of Christ is in the midst of the people, not like Noah's ark, only destined to secure the safety of those shut up inside it, but like leaven put into the meal to leaven the whole lump. Every Christian Church is in the midst of the people, in a neighbourhood for which it should be a. centre of light. So also individual men, according as they are in any sort of central positions, are there for the good they can confer. No life can be pure in its purpose or strong in its strife, and all life not be purer and stronger thereby. IV. A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY. Jerusalem is called to account. England will have her day of reckoning. We shall all be judged, especially as to our conduct in places of privilege and influence. 1. We are responsible for our privileges, Assyria was not judged as Judrea; Africa and England will not be measured by the same standard. Much is expected of them to whom much has been given. 2. We are responsible for our influence. The effects of our work, word, and example will come back upon our own heads in blessings or in curses. V. A SHAMEFUL FAILURE. Jerusalem missed her great mission and fell from her high estate. The fall of favoured Palestine is a warning to favoured England. It is possible to have every advantage and yet to make shipwreck. 'l'hen the bigger the ship the greater the wreck. There i~ something inspiriting in the thought of a mission, It helps one to make the best use of life. The idea that we are useless will certainly lead to indifference a.nd paralyze our energies. But to accept a. place of influence and it.s privileges and then to fall, is the most culpable of all things. Ver. 8.-0pposed by God. We are more familiar with the idea of our opposition to God than with that of hie opposition to us, because he is long-suffering and slow to anger, while we are rebellious and self-willed. But there is a point where infinite patience cannot restrain just wrath; where, indeed, without any conflict of Divine attributes, the very love of God must acquiesce in his resistance to our sinful conduct by stern measures. Then God is against us I I. Gon's OPPOSITION rs PROVOKED BY MAN'S REBELLION. 1. God is not ori,qincilly opposed to any of his creatures. "He hateth nothing that he bath made," Nor can we suppose that God turns against his children for reasons of his own apart from their conduct. Thtre is no caprice in the heart of the Immutable. It seems to some men in their deepening adversity, as blow after blow falls upon them, that God has become their eilemy, This is a trial to faith; but true faith should survive and cry in the oll. v. 1-11.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 89