The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 215

position as a people near unto the Lord, and exclusive possession of the land which he had given unto the whole of the Israelites. By their spirit and conduct these inhabit- ants of Jerusalem remind us of some in our own age who "profess and call themselves Christians," and who claim that only in their community can salvation be found, tbat only as administered amongst them are the sacraments valid, and that the Church of which they are members is the only true one. 'fhey could heartily join with the self- righteous people of Jerusalem in saying, "The temple of the Lord, the temple of tho Lord, the temple of the Lord, are these." But not they who think themselves holiest and nearest to God, or who have the greatest reputation for religion amongst men, are most highly esteemed by him, but rather" the poor iu spirit," the "lowly in heart." "The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, dwells with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit." It was not the proud Pharisee, but the penitent publican, that "went down to his house justified : . . . for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." II. A SUFFERING PEOPLE VINDICATED AND COMFORTED BY '!.'HE LORD Goo. (Vers. 16-20.) The despised captives are vindicated and consoled by several gracious and encouraging assurances, which we will briefly notice. 1. That they were the trueljieople of God. " Son of man, thy brethren, thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly." The Prophet Jeremiah had already declared that the Israelites who were in exile were better in the sight of God than those who remained in Jerusalem (Jer. xxiv.). And no_w Ezekiel is told that his true brethren, brethren in spirit as well as allcording to the flesh, are to be found, not in Jerusalem, but among the exiles by the river Chebar. To them, as Hengstenherg points out, the future of the kingdom of God belonged, while" those who remained in Jerusalem, notwithstanding their high pretensions, were doomed to destruction." "All the house of Israel wholly," as contrasted with "the inhabitants of Jerusalem," is to be understood as a general statement, since there was in Jerusalem a godly remnant (eh. ix. 4--6), and amongst the exiles there were some who were not faithful to the Lord Jehovah (eh. xiv. 1-5). But, in the main, the true Israel was to be looked for, not in Jerusalem, but among the exiles in Babylon. How different in this respect was the Divine estimate from that of the Pharisaic dwellers in the sacred city! And may it not be in our day that to him who "seeth not as man seeth," not they who boast their privileges and piety, but the despised and lowly, are the genuine Israel of God? 2. That they should find in the Lord God ample compensation for their lost privileges. "Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I havo scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little Sanctuary in the countries where they shall come." It is more correct to translate, " I will be to them a Sanctua1y for a little" time or season, referring to the comparatively short period of their captivity. Though they were far removed from their "holy and beautiful house," yet they should have communion with God; for he himself would be present with them, and the realization of his presence transforms any place into a hallowed temple. The people of Israel were too prone to regard the presence of God as confined to the temple at Jerusalem, or at most to the Holy Land. Under this impression, the Prophet "Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord." The Lord God, in assuring them that he would be to them as a sanctuary during their exile, corrects this error, and gives the germ of the precious truth that the devout and humble spirit may offer acceptable worship and hold blessed communion with him anywhere. And in this assurance we have an anticipation of the inspiring declaration of our Lord, '' The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth," etc. (John iv. 23, 24). In the presence of God with them as a Sanctuary the exiles would find compensation for their enforced absence from their homes and from the temple and its ordinances. We have here I\ test of godly character. When the heart is truly and thoroughly right with God it finds compen- sation in him for every privation and loss. The assurance that wo have him for our Portion will Hustain and satisfy us in time of sorest need, and enable us to sing- " Jesus, to whom I fly, Doth all my wishes fill, What though crented streams are dry, I have the Fountnin still. J!;ZEKIEI,, 210 THE IlOOK OF 'l'ilE PROPUU:'l' EZU:KIEL. [en. :xr. l-2G,