The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 314

MAY DE TAKEN FROM MAN AND MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO GoD HIMSELF. He will be glorified by the work of his own hands ; and will not give his honour to another. Universal history, when complete, shall be a full and manifest witness to the wisdom and to the benevolence of God.-T. Vere. 1-21.-The parable of the vine. Sin of every sort has a baneful power of blinding the mind of the transgressor. The thief does not perceive the criminality of his act. He complains only of the law which is so severe. The drunkard does not perceive the culpability of his cour8e. May he not order his life as he pleases? So is it in every case-even in the case of secret sin. The moral sense is blinded, infatuated, indurated. In all such instances some ingenious method is required to convince the judgment of its wrong-doing. This can often be done by means of a parable. The persons addressed perceive the incongruity or the folly set forth in the picture, before they perceive that it applies to themselves-condemn their own conduct. This is Ezekiel's purpose in this chapter. I. THE YOUNG SHOOT PLANTED. In this chapter we have both parable and interpre• tation; hence there is no scope for conjecture touching the meaning. The tender twig is said to have been plucked from a cedar in Lebanon. For what Lebanon was to Palestine in natural fertility and glory, Jerusalem was in political eminence. What the cedar is among trees, royal princes are among the population. The most promising young men of the royal house had been transplanted to Babylon (see Dan. i. 1, 2). Every endeavour was made to tr:i.in them for usefulness and eminence. II. A FERTILE SITUATION. It was planted in "a fruitful field"-placed "by great waters." All that could minister to the growth of the tree was provided. 'l'he out- ward advantages conferred upon Israel were exceptionally favourable, God had dealt with them as he had not dealt with any other nation. Even when the wave of invasion swept over them, he did not allow it at the first to overthrow them com- pletely, The conqueror still made terms with them, which, if honourably maintained on their part, migbt have led to a recovery of independence and honour. The God of heaven was still their Friend, and it was in his heart to show them every possible favour. No enemy was so formidable as their own selves. III. ROBUST GROWTH, "It grew and became a spreading vine." "It brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs." It had within itself abundance of life. Interpreted politically, this must mean that Israel had statesmen and warriors competeut for the administration of her national affairs. She had men of intellectual gifts-far-sighted prophets-young men of courage and energy. As a nation, Israel had not sunk into the weakness and decrepitude of old age. It was not from any process of natural decay that calamity had overtaken her. The secret of her downfall must be sought in her moral delinquencies-in her want of loyalty to God. IV. HER INDEBTEDNESS. For this fresh trial of her integrity and fruitfulness, the King of Israel was under obligation to the King of Babylon, here symbolized by the first eagle, Israel had acknowledged this obligation, It had become a matter of international treaty and compact. That Israel's nationality and existence had not, at once, been terminated by the Eastern conqueror was due solely to his clemency. The defeated kingdom bad allotted to it another lease of existence, another chance of meriting renown. "It was planted in a good soil, by great waters," and the enjoyment of this privilege was a pure favour. Hence arose a new and distinct obligation-an obligation admitted and defined. V. FLAGRANT TREACHERY. It is not consistent with the rules of literary conposition to speak of a vine as guilty of treachery. But a teacher of religion is more concerned with the substance of his communication than with the form. If only Ezekiel could bring home to Israel's conscience the greatness of her sin he would easily forgive himself mere literary blemish. Earthly metaphors were incompetent to express all the truth, The violation of a positive covenant was a flagrant offence. We can conceive of none greater, e8pecially ns it was a covenant made in the name of God. And it was as foolish as it was flagrant. Did ho suppose that Nebuchadnezzar would not resent the insult and avenge his outraged honour? Wrong-doing is always bad policy, as inexpedient as immoral. If man cannot trust the oath and compact of a fellow-man, all the bands of society would be loosed, and this globe would be :i. perpetunl scene of 314 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [ou. xvn. 1-24.