The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 192

III. GoD's ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS AN ELABORATE AND COMPLEX SYSTEM. Human agency is intimately allied with the dynamic forces of nature on the one side. and with the active powers of angels on the other. The ,vheels (with the numerical symbol, four), impressive from their magnitude and their rotatory speed, indicate the mighty forces of nature. Even in these wheels the prophet discovers eyes, which ere the symbol of intelligence. The che~ubic bein_gs are represented as combining the strength of the ox, the courage of the lion, the swiftness of the eagle, and the intelli a~nce of man. Beneath their wings there is seen, ever and anon, a human hand-the index of human agency and action. Resting on this complex system of cherubic life is seen the cerulean throne of God, bright as a sapphire stone. In the destruction of Jerusalem the Chaldean armies did not act alone. Nebuchadnezzar, probably, was not conscious that any power, other than his own will, was instigating him to the war. Nevertheless be was an instrument of justice in the hand of God. There is much service done fo; God which is not intended. Said God respecting Cyrus," I girded thee, thou"h thou hast not known me." Human kings and warriors are only parts of a complex: system. Human will has a very limited circle in which to play; yet it has its place. IV. IN THIS COMPLEX SYSTEM THE MEDIATOR FULFILS AN IMPORTANT PART. (Ver. 2.) "The man clothed with linen" clearly represents the great High Priest-the Divine :Mediator. He who brings mercy to men is also the Minister of judgrnent. He who proclaims "the acceptable year of the Lord" announces also "the day of vengeance of our God." God will "judge the world by that Man whom he hath ordained." If the great Shepherd will preserve his flock, he must destroy the wolves. Justice and mercy go band-in-hand. As we see here the ministrations of angels, along with God's Son, in t.he work of destruction; so in later days we see, in fact, the alliance of angels with Christ in the work of men's salvation. Nor should we fail to overlook the promptitude with which the Son fulfilled his Father's word, "Go in between the wheels, ... and fill thine hand with coals of fire, ... and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight." Is not this a practical commentary upon Messia.h's words," I do always the things that please him"? So with all God's servants, " They go straight forward." V. GoD E1'""I'ERS uPON THE WORK OF DESTRUCTION SLOWLY AND RELUCTANTLY, We read in the fourth verse that the glory of the Lord withdrew from the inner court of the temple, and stood over the threshold of the house. Again, we read in the eighteenth verse that " the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim. And the cherubim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight." Again, in the next chapter the record runs," And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city." With slow and successive steps God departed from the sanctuary which he had chosen for his residence. All this prefigured the "leaving the house desolate," and the ascension from the Mount of Olives," by our Lord. So has it always been. The a.x:e is laid at the root of the tree-a. delay of judgment-that the tree may yet become fruitful. Infinite patien?e belon~s ~ God. He " is slow to -'1nger, while plenteous in mercy." A great truth 1B embodied m the old adage- " The mill of God grinds slowly, But it grinds exceeding small." VI. WE DISCOVER IN THIS VISION THE HARMONY OF SCRIPTURE. Between this unveiling of God's purposes respecting Israel, and his purposes towards the worl,l revealed in the Apocalypse of John, th_ere a.re instructive resemblances. The _cherubic forms aaain appear. An"els 0 have special charge over the forces of nature-wmds and fire a.nl' earthquake. So fa.r as human vision reaches, kings and armies act by their own free-will and to accomplish their own ambitions; but when we a.re lifted up to Gud's pedesta'.l, and are shown_ the progress of events f~om th~t high _standpoi1;1t, 'Ye se~ that a series of Divine aaents 1s employed-men fulfillrng their part m subordmation tJ a.n,.,clic ministers. In G"'od's great army we have generals and captains and lieutena.ot!, as °well as the rank-and-file. In the government of the universe, men fill o. humbie thoucrh0 an honourable place; and consequent on their diligence and fidelity now will ie their prornotion to hiaher office by-and-by. "Be thou ruler over five cities!" "Be thcu ruler over ten cities Ill " I appoint unto you kingdoms, as my Father hath appointfd mc."-D. ou. x. 1-22.] TRE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 18i