The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 264

says Hengstenberg, the "representatives of those who only outwardly fear God, but inwardly serve the spirit of the world and the age." How many meet in Go(l's house, unite in his worship, and listen to the ministry of his holy Word, as though they were genuine inquirers of his will, who yet have idols in their hearts! Seeming to sincerely "inquire in his temple," yet they are devoted to the pursuit of rank or riches, power or pleasure, etc. II. HYPOORITIOAL INQUIRERS OF' GOD ANSWERED ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN HEART, "Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus sai th the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up bis idols in his heart," etc. (vers. 4, 5). Different interpretations are given of these two verses. Thus Hengsten berg: "The question in ver. 4" (be places a note of interrogation at the end of that verse; so also does Schroder) 11 is in the sense of a negative, 'I will not answer;' and this negative has its ground in ver, 5. God leaves sinners without answer or help, that they may come to a knowledge of their sin. 'To take in the heart' ( ver. 5) is to touch the con- science." Another interpretation is that he would give them an answer as delusive as the idols whfoh they bad taken into their hearts. The case presents itself to us thus: The spiritual state of these elders prevented them from truly hearing the word of the Lord. 'l'hey were not sincere in their inquiries of him. They would not receive the truth which his servants Jeremiah and Ezekiel proclaimed. Nay, more, in their then moral condition they could not receive the truth of God. With their hearts devoted to idols, how could they apprehend and hold fast the pure words of the Lord? So he would send them a message answerable to their own character. These II idolatrous oracle-seekers have to expect what corresponds to their state." Hence their own hearts were their seducers. God deals with men according to their character. "With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful," etc. (Ps. xviii. 25, 26). ,; The sin and shame, the pain and ruin, of sinners are all from themselves, and their own hearts are the snares in which they are taken; they seduce them, they betray them; their own con- sciences witness against them, condemn them, and are a. terror to them. If Gori take them, if he discover them, if he convict them, if he bind them over to his judgment, it is all by 'their own heart.' 'O Israel! thou hast destroyed thyself.' The house of Israel is ruined by its own hands, 'because they are all estranged from me through their idols"' (Matthew Henry). IU. liYPOORITICAL INQUIRERS OF' GOD EXHORTED TO COMPLY WITH THE OONDIT!O~S OF ACCEPTABLE APPR0A0H UNTO Hlll1. "'£herefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations." Here is a true message from God for them if they will accept it. Repentance towards God was their present and imperative duty. From the Lord the house of Israel had grievously departed, and their true repentance would be a returning to him, and renunciation of their abominable idolatries. Repent- ance is not mere regret, or self-reproach, or sorrow, or tears. It is that grief for siu which leads to reformation of life. "Repentance," says Shakespeare, "is heart's sorrow, and a clear life ensuing." Now, this was necessary as a condition of approaching God acceptably. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Ps. !xvi. 18). Men should "pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Tim. ii. 8). "Let us draw near with a true heart in fu\ness of faiLh," etc. (Heh. x. 22). When men inquire of God in this spirit, he will grant unto them gracious answers.• JV. HYPOCRITICAL INQUIRERS OF GOD WARNED 01!' THE CONSEQUENCES OF PERSIST- ENCE IN BIN. "For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me," etc. (vers. 7-11). Here they are solemnly warned that, if they would not turn from sin unto God: 1. They should encounter the Divine displeasure. "I will set my face against that man,'' etc. (ver. 8). God cannot look upon sin with indifference. He hates it. And if sinners persist in it, he will set bis face against them, and visit them because of their transgressions. He did this in the case of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Siege and famine, pestilence, slaughter, and captivity were the consequences of their aggravated and long-continued sins and crimes. 2. They should become the victims of their chosen delusions. " If th.11 prophet be deceived when he bath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceivea inat prophet," etc. (vers. 9, 10). They had chosen idols for their gods; they believed the  262 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKlEL. roH, xrv. 1-23.