The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 210

Vers. 14.-21.-Privilege: apparent or real. Every good thing Is liable to abuse, and even religion is in danger of degenerating into pernicious superstition. The outward forms often remain-even swell into exaggeration-after the inner reality has departed. So the Hebrews in olden time deemed themselves secure against evil, because they bad still among them the visible temple of Jehovah. They were callous to the fact that the only value of the temple arose from its Divine Occupant. As well might one cling to a b2autiful corpse when the indwelling spirit had fled. I. EXTERNAL PRIVILEGE IS ONLY AN APPARENT GOOD. It is a channel which may convey either good or evil, fresh water or foul. It is like a rampart, which is very useful in time of battle, if only it be filled with brave soldiers; if left untenanted, it becomes of use to the enemy. Tbe existence of the temple in Jerusalem became a snare to the Jews; it made them haughty, self-confident, boastful. In an earlier day the Jewish army deemed itself impregnable on the battle-field, because the ark of God was with them. So now the inhabitants of Jerusalem were over-confident of security, because the temple of God was there. Towards their brethren in exile they cherished an unlovely temper, a repulsive front. They imagined that because they ha.d been lef, in the city, while others had been banished, they were the favourites of God, a.nd that those removed to Babylon were removed from the favour a.nd wing of Jehovah. Again and again bad this remnant in Jerusalem been assured that they also would be removed from the city, and would die in the border of Israel; but they persistently refused to believe such distasteful warnings. Their continua.nee in the sacred city wa.s an injury to their character. They were fostering the worst forms of self-conceit and self-righteousness and self-exclusiveness. They wanted to shut themselves in, and to shut their less-favoured brethren out. So they said, "Get you far from the Lord: unto us is this land given in possession." II. THE LOSS OF EXTERNAL PRIVILEGE IB NOT NECESSARILY THE LOSS OF GoD's PRESENCE. When men desert us, God often comes a.11 the nearer on that account. As God had endeavoured to teach the Jews (though with little success) that bis personal presence wa.s their only security, so now he assures the dispersed of Israel that, if they desired his presence, he would be to them still a "Sanctuary." All that be ha.d been to them aforetime in Jerusalem be could be to them in Babylon. After a.II, their case need not be so deplorable. Better to be in Cha.ldea. alon11: with God, than in Jerusalem without him. They had supposed tba.t God had identified himself with that gorgeous temple in Jerusalem-that he was there in a. sense in which he could not be elsewhere. This error must be unlearnt. Having God with us, we ma.y have a.11 real good. III. SEVEREST DISASTER 1B OFTEN THE CRADLE OF BLESSING. Already it began to appear that the defeat and captivity of Israel were needful, yea, were working good in the banished ones. Already the exiles had lost faith in idols, and were ashamed of their nast folly. Already they found that if they returned in spirit and prayer to t~e true God, he would still be their substantial Friend. The faith a.nd courage of Damel and other young men in Babylon indicate the improvement in religious life which was buclding. The presence of Ezekiel a.s a teacher among them wa.s a.n omen for good. We have seeu how (eh. viii.) the elders of Judah ha.d sought his prese~ce, and this, doubtless, that they might hear some word from the Lord. 'l'be sights of idolatry in that idolatrous land ba.d probably sickened their minds and filled them with disgust. Now they sorrowed over lost privileges and lost opportunities. ~y the side of'Cbebar they "hung their harps in the willows," a.nd wept. The sunsbme_ of pro- sperity had ~'Joilt their simple faith and loyalty; but in the shades of adversity they l,egan to !ear~ wholesome lessons. Here their character shall be re-created, their piety ehall be revitalized. Earthly misfortune is heavenly discipline. IV. THE HIGHEST GOOD JS INTERNAL. Far better to have a fortune within than a fortune outside us. 'fbis wealth is durable, abiding, inalienable. No amount of money can lJUrchase honesty, or courage, or tender sensibility, or heart-purity. 1. llegenera- tiun is promised. "I will put a new spirit within you." 'l'he stony heart sho.ll be changed into ::. heart of flc:;h. Men are often too blind to appreciate the beat possessions; ou. xr.1-25.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 205