The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 313

present e.fforded, the more did the captives e.nd the conquered strain their eyes looking into the dim future. There were those who, like Isaiah and Ezekiel, were inspired to raise the courage e.nd hopes of their countrymen by predicting the coming of a Divine Deliverer who should be re.ised up e.s a horn of se.lvation in the house of his father David. I. CHRIST'S ORIGIN FROM A DESPIBED AND OPPRESSED, YET FROM A ROYAL, STOCK, The members of the royal house of David were, in the lifetime of Ezekiel, reduced to comparative feebleness and obscurity. Either in Eastern exile or in the half-deserted le.nd of their fathers' splendour, they were a deserted and dejected race. Yet from them-from the highest branch of the high cedar-Christ according to the flesh was to come. II. CHRIST'S SELECTION A~"'D APPOINTMENT THE TOKEN OF GoD'S FAVOUR TO HIS PEOPLE. The Messiah was "the Lord's Christ," and was set to be "a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of God's people Israel." The temporal sovereirnty 0 might be Jost, but a spiritual sovereignty should be established. HI. CHRIST'S EXALTATION, EMINENCE, AND GLORY. The twig was to be planted upon "a high mountain and eminent "-in "the mountain of the height of Israel." The Son of God was indeed" a Plant of renown." Unto him was given a Name above every name, a kingdom ruling over all. He has become, and bas remained for long centuries, the one great central Figure in the history of mankind. His kingdom is vaster and more glorious than the empire of Rome or of England-a kingdom over human hearts, over human society, over the moral life of man. IV. CHRIST'S OFFICE AS THE SHELTER OF ALL THE NATIONS, THE PROVISION FOB ALL T.llEIB SPIRITUAL NEED. The goodly tree is to '' bear fruit," and " under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing." This metaphorical and poetical language portrays alike the extent and beneficence of the Saviour's spiritual reign on earth and over the children of men. His influence ever grows. By his bounty myriads are provided with spiritual food. Beneath his loving care men of every race :find peace and protection, safety and life immortal.-T. Ver. 24.-The sovereignty of the .Almighty Ruler. The Bible abounds in paradox; and this for the simple reason that God does not judge and a.et as men judge and a.et. :Man looketh upon the outward appearance, whereas God looks upon the heart. In many instances in Scripture history we :find the younger preferred to the elder, the insignificant to the imposing. A.nd God deals thus, not only with individuals, but with nations. He raiseth up one, and layeth low another. In the text this principle is apparent in his treatment of Israel. The captives should be restored. Earthly sovereignty might pass away from the house of David, but the Lord and King of men was intended to spring, and did spring, from a stock which seemed dry and dead. The great nations of the East, once so splendid and powerful, have, with their monarchies, passed away. But from Judah sprang the Son of man, who is appointed to reign over the race which he redeemed from sin unto God. L DlVINE PROVIDENCE IS TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THE ELEVATION AND DEPRESSION OF THE NATIONS. The changes which interest, amaze, and perplex the student of human history a.re not accidental; they are wrought by laws imposed by the Divine Creator and Ruler of all the earth. lL DIVL.'-E PROVIDENCE IS ESPECCALLY OBSERVABLE m THE DISAPPOINTMENT 01!' BUMAN EXPECTATIONS AND THE OVERTURNING OF HUJ.t:AN PLANS. It is indeed e. common proverb, "Nothing is certain but the unexpected." The fortunes of nations are beyond our prediction. Men admire the high tree; and it is brought low. 'l'h'ey despise the low tree; and it is exalted. They predict and expect great things of the green tree; and it is dried up. They account the dry tree as fit only for burning; and lo I it flourishes. HI. DIVINE PROVIDENCE IS BY NO MEANS DIRECTED BY UNREASONING CAPBI0E, The purposes of God may be bidden from us; but we may be assured that they are all inspired and controlled by infinite reason and flawless righteousness. Nothing occurs among the nations which the Omnipotent does not foresee and permit, which he will not overrule for his glory. IV. lllVll!E PROVIDENCE BO 0lll>EBS TBB CllillGEli AMONG TBB NATIONS THAT B0NOtl.11 oit. :urn. 1-24-,1 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL.