The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 144

Vers. 23-27.-The even balances of Jehovah. The penal judgments of God are not haphazard events. The minds of thoughtful men discover in them a marked feature of retribution, Striking correspondences occur between the transgression and the punish- ment. "I will do unto them after their way," I. VIOLENCE IS MET BY VIOLENCE. The Law of God had been despised; and, instead of a just administration of Law, the rule of violence had prevailed. 'J.'herefore by violence they shall be mastered. " Make a chain." The arm of power had domi- nated over the hand of justice; therefore a mightier arm shall master it. Often has it been seen that they who ruthlessly use the sword themselves perish by the sword. Men are often "hoisted on their own petard." The gallows which Haman had prepared for another served for himself. IL IDOLATRY ASSIMILATES MRN IN LIKENESS TO THE IDOLS. "I will bring the worst of the heathen upon them." The objects of their worship had reputed attributes of lust, cruelty, oppression, violence; these attributes shall appear in the worshippers. It is a law of nature, as well as a law of Scripture, that "they who make them are like unto them; so is every one that bows down to them." As the stream cannot rise above its fount, so man cannot rise above the object of his adoration. Worshippers of idols rapidly deteriorate in character and in moral quality. If God is driven out of tho heart, demons will speedily come in. "Nature abhors a vacuum." ITL OPPORTUNITIES ABUSED ABE .AT LENGTH CLOSED. "They shall seek peace, and there shall be none." "They shall seek a vision from the prophet; but the Law shall perish from the priest." Had they sought earlier, they would have found; now proba- tion has ceased, the Judge has ascended his throne. All forbearance has its limits. Many men are always one day behind. The tide has ceased to flow. Ebb has begun, In middle life they are weeping over a wasted youth. In old age they are lamenting the decay of vigorous manhood. On a death-bed they regret the neglect of yesterday's opportunity. When the last shilling is spent men learn the value of money. To-day there is the sunlight of hope ; to-morrow there will be black despair. . IV. TEE LEADERS IN BEBELLION INCUR THE HEAVIEST CHASTISEMENTS, "The kmg shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation." In proportion to the station any man occupies in society, in proportion to his talents and strength of cbo.racter, is the influence he exerts, whether for good or for evil. 'l'he king will always have a crowd of servile imitators. Princes, by virtue of their exalted rank, wield an extensive influence. For the right employment of infiu.ence every man is responsible. He is daily sowing now; and, as the sowing is, so will be the harvest. The mourning of a king will have an intensity of bitterness that never acerbates the tears of a peasant. V. JusTICE SHALL FINALLY DE PABAMOUNT. "'l'hey shall know that I am the Lord." Although they would not know him as Friend and Benefactor, they shall know him and acknowledge him as the Vindicator of right. The spirits in hell c,mfe,s him, while blind and ungrateful llJen ignore him. " We know thee who thuu a: t." Righteousness is endowed with a deathless life; and out of all 11resent orr. vn. 1-27.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 135