The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 249

that shall he also ren.p." The forbearance and long-suffering of God with the wicked are very great; but if these be trifled with and presumed upon, he will ce1tse to exercise them, and will Appear for the execution of his judgment (cf. Rom. ii. 4--11). Ill. JT IS THE DU'I'l" OF THE FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF GoD TO ENDEAVOUR TO GUARD THE IMPERILLED PEOPLE AGAINST THE DANGERS WHICH THREATEN THEM, When tho people by their sins have exposed themsclveR to their enemies, it behoves the faithful t: go up into the gaps, and to make" up the fence for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord." This ma:Y be done: 1. By preaching repentance to the guilty 21eople. When the people of Nineveh repented, the destruction of their city, which bad been threatened because of their sins, was averted. If the prophets had summoned the people to repentance, and the people had responded truly to that summons, then would the breach in the fence have been made up, and they would have been able "to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord." "There is no better wall than reformation of life." " If they have stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words," etc. ( J er. xxiii 22). 2. By presenting intercession for tlu! guilty people. There are a number of impressive examples in the sacred Scrip- tures of the servants of God stepping into the gap and saving the imperilled people by their prayers (cf. Exod. xxxii. 11-14, 31-34; Ps. cvi. 23; Numb. xiv, 13-24; xvi. 41--48; 1 Sam. -vii. 8-10). God has often graciously heard the cry of his faithful servants on behalf of the guilty, and turned aside from them the stroke of his judg- ment. He has spared the wicked for the sake of the righteous. IV. FALSE PROPHETS AND UNWORTHY LEADERS IN THE CHURCH OF Goo ALTOGETHER FAIL IN THIS IMPORTANT DUTY. These false prophets had "not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the fence for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord." They had neither preached repentance to the people, nor pleaded with God on their behalf; but had positively encouraged them in their sinful and false security; therefore the judgment of the Lord fell upon them to their utter overthrow. "I sought for a man among them, that should make up the fence, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none," etc. (cf. eh. x.xii. 30, 31). " False prophets cannot pray." They have neither " interest in heaven nor intercourse with heaven." And they have no heart to make a stand age.inst the sins of their people, and so eave them from ruin. CoNCLUSION. 1. How great a curse to a community are corrupt religious teachers and leaders! They lure the people to ruin, while they assure them that all is well. 2, How great a blessing to a community is tlie presence ef godly and praying persons I They are "the salt of the earth;" they are saviours of society.-W. J, Vers. 10-12.-False hopes encouraged and destroyed. "Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace," etc. We have in our text-- 1 FALSE PROPHETS PROCLAIMING A DELUSIVE SALVATION. The false prophets of Israel assured the people that by reason of their alliance with Egypt they were quite safe against Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon, and should soon be utterly inde- pendent of his control. Thus "they seduced the people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace" (cf. Jer. vi. 14; x.xiii.16, 17; xxvii. 14--16; xxviii.1--4, 15; xxix. 8, 9). The conduct of these ancient prophets has its analogue in spiritual relations. When religious teachers proclaim their own fancies or speculations as Divine revelations; ·when they present the traditions and creeds of men as the saving truth of God; when they lead men to expect salvation apart from sincere repentance for sin, and hearty faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and loyal obedience to his will,-then are they false prophets, " saying, Peace; and there is no peace." 11. SINFUL AND ll1ISGUIDED PEOPLE TRUSTING IN A DELUSIVE SALVATION. The Jews believed their false prophets, and strengthened their alliance with Egypt, and cherished their vain hope of safety, independence, and prosperity; and the false prophets encouraged them in this course, The misguided people built up a slight wall, and the misleading prophets daubed it with untempered mortar. And in spiritual things men are building walls for their personal salvation apart from Jesus Christ. Some build the wall of external morality. They are diligent in the cultivation of correct and virtuous conduct, without any vitalizing and inspiring faith and love. Their gospel is one of OB. XIII, 1-23.J 'l'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 245