of fill things, 'l'hns the Hebrew symbol of the Divine is a glory above a heavenly throne, and with the Jew the most significant Divine thing is the throne. Each thought iii true, o.nd our later Christian theology combines them both. But there is an awful sublimity in the Old Testament religion springing from the moral and governmental view of God, and to miss this is to sink into naturalism. The modem tendency is in some respects diverting attention from the Hebrew Throne to the Greek Mind. We need to revive the Old Testament element of the thought of God. Perhaps greater regard to this will help us to face some of the peculiar difficulties of our own day. I. THE THRONE OF GoD 1s SUPREME. The throne seen in Ezekiel's vision was "in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubim." The most exalted and glorious beings lie at the foot of that awful throne. 1. God rules. He is will as well as thought. He does not merely know; he acts. 2. God rules in the present, Men rebel against the authority of God. Nevertheless, it still exists. It is not only that we shall appear before a future judgment-bar of God. Already we live under his con- stant reign. 3. God's rule is supreme. Death, sin, Satan, are all beneath God, and ultimately they will be conquered and crushed, that he may be all in all Even Christ, who sits at the right hand of God, is "subject to him" (1 Cor. xv. 27, 28). II. THE THRONE OF GoD IS RIGHTEOUS AND THEREFORE GLORIOUS. 1. It is righteous. The justice of God's rule is not treated in the Old Testament as a source of terror, but, on the contrary, it is always praised and rejoiced in. The old cruel earthly tyrannies were felt to be so horribly unjust, that men turned with a sense of relief to the justice of the Supreme King. God is the Personal " Power that makes for righteousness." The end of his government is the highest goodness. 2. It is therefore glorious. The old glory of mere brute force with the triumph of cruelty is a low and vulgar folly by the side of this Divine glory of righteousness. Here is the greatest glory of God-not his omniscience nor his omnipotence, not the irresistible might and overwhelming majesty of his throne, but its righteousness. It is not a blood-stained glory of the earthly conqueror, b1it the sapphire beauty of perfect purity, truth, justice, and benevolence. III. THE THRONE OF GoD IS A CENTRE OF DIVINE REVELATION. The Greek method of seeking for God is by the way of intellect. The Great Mind is looked for in his plans. The Architect of the universe is to be found by using the "argument from design." But latterly this Aristotelian method has been confused in the minds of some-though, doubtless, only temporarily and by misunderstanding-through the spread of the doctrine of evolution. Meanwhile our own age seems to need to return to the Hebrew method. Our best teachers point us in this direction. God is not chiefly the Infinite Intellect. He is the Will and the Power of right. We feel him in all force. But we discern him best in our own consciences. The unanswerable voice within that whispers, "Thou aha.It" or "Thou shalt not," is an utterance from the throne of God, and it bears witness to the existence, and more than the existence, the authority, of our supreme Lord and King.
Ver. 2.-" Coals of fire." The coals of fire which Ezekiel saw between the cherubim were to be poured forth in destruction upon the doomed city of Jerusalem. But there are various uses of Divine fire. Let us notice some of them. I. COALS OF FIBE FOR DESTRUCTION. This dreadful destiny of Divine fire must be considered first, as it was the one intended by the prophet. "·Our God is a consuming Fire." There is not only punishment, there is destruction in the operation of fire. It hurts, but it also consumes; and its primary work is destruction. "'l'he wages of sin is death." God does not only chastise with the rod; he destroys with his fire. Tho earlier chastisement is to save from the later destruction. We may be thankful for tho sharp fash if it drives us from the burning fire. Il. CoALB OF FIRE FOR PUBIFIOATION. Fire does not only destroy ; it refines. Refuse is burnt by it; silver is purified, God sends fiery trials to cleanse our souls by burning out the evil, and leaving the better nature freer and purged. Perhaps the fire which would be for destruction if we remained impenitent may be converted into a refiner's furnaco when wo learn its burning lesson, and humble ourselves in the very flames of wrath. So let us use the fiery trials of life. III. COAL!! OF FIRE FOB CONSECRATION. The whole offering of Jewish sacrifice was 180 THE BOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [err. x. 1-22.
<)11rnt upon the altar. There is a consuming zenl of God which wholly tnkcs possession of his consecrated servant, and burns through him, so that he is no longer a slave of the earth, but is lifted up as on Elijah's chariot, Still living in this world indeed for the service of God, he feels that the old Adam has been killed, the evil of his nature has been burnt out of him, self has beeu slain, and now ho belongs wholly to God. Alasl so perfect a consecration is not attained by any of us. But Christ's baptism in fire leads us up to it.. It is a supreme mistake to suppose that our Lord calls us only to ease and rest. He calls to the pilgrimage, the battle, the cross, perhaps to the furnace. Even when life outside is smooth, the consecration of will and passion means a fiery ordeal. IV. COALS OF FffiE FOR INSPIRATION. The engine is driven by coals of fire. Out physical energy is dependent on the burning up of the tissue of our bodies. The heat of enthusiasm is the inspiration and source of energy for mental and moral enterprises. Love is a great fire of burning coals, and when it becomes bright and warm, the soul grows strong for sacrifice and service. We may have false fires, indeed, fires of earthly passion that scorch and wither our better nature. No earth-born fire will kindle the devotion of the soul. For this live coals from off God's altar are needed. The fire from between the cherubim kindles our fire. The great love of Christ coming like coals of fire cait give us warmth of love and devotion, and inspire us for the Christian life.