The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 315

anarchy, war, and misery, Mere might would always reign, and violence would be the only ~ceptre. YI. Drvn."'E Th'DIGNATION. God himself appears upon the scene, and arms himsolf R1(Rinst the offender. Since the King of Israel had sworn, in God's name, to observe the covenant, the honour of God was involved. Therefore he will vindicate his own majesty. "As I live, saith the Lord God, surely mine oath that be bath despised and my covenant that he bath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own h~ad." I As the interests of a nation are greater than those of a private person, so the violation of a national compact is a sin of blackest hue. It was not simply his own pleasure and advantage Zedekiah was imperilling, but the interests and the lives of all his subjects. Therefore God himself was constrained to leave his secret habitation1 and apprar as the .Avenger of crime. I VII. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION. "All his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds." A series of lesser chastisements had been employed, but had proved unavailing to subdue the pride of lsrael. Loss, defeat, public humiliation, dismemberment of empire, had in succes- sion been tried. But the medicine had not taken effect. A more drastic measure must now be empl_oyed. The_ kindness, patience, and long-suffering of God are signally dis- played; and 1t ought to impress our hearts most deeply to observe with what reluctance he unsheaths the avenging sword. But Justice must have her due. Our God cannot be trifled with, for he is Judge of all.-D. i Vers. 22-24.-Spring-time after winter. After a storm comes a calm. It is a joy for God to turn from " his stran~e work" of vengeance to his ordinary path of benevo- lence. Although he is compelled to cut down the barren tree, he allows life to spring again from the root. His course of destruction is only temporary, and beyond it purposes of kindness bud and blossom. The cloud that hides his permanent design shall presently pass, and his Name shall be enblazoned in universal renown. As a word from him started into being the material globes, so a word from him shall" create new heavens and a new earth." The promised good is imaged in a prosperous tree. I. A TEJl.'DER SHOOT PLAll"l'ED. " I will take the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it." This is but a variation of Isaiah's prediction that a rod should spring out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch spring from his root. As the cedar was the most renowned among their trees, so the dynasty of David was the most illustrious of their princely families. Of this ancestral tree should the Messiah spring. Commence- ments are always full of interest. 'l'hey are pregnant with hope. The appearance of a new child awakens the imagination; much more the opening of a new epoch, the found- ing of a new kingdom. In this case the interest is immeasurably enhanced because God himself is the i=ediate Actor. "I, saith Jehovah, I will do it. n II. THE GAB.DEN-PLOT CHOSEN. "In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it." Mountains are not the best localities in which to plant trees. They flourish better if rooted in shady valleys or on alluvial plains. But, inasmuch as the reference here is to the cedars of Lebanon, it is seemly that a mountain locality should be chosen. Still more is this appropriate when we consider that the language is metaphorical, and carries a spiritual meaning. The mountain here points to Zion-the cradle of the Messianic kinadom.. "Out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusale~" We are not to separate between this predicted king and his match- less kingdom. The Church "is his body, the fulness of him that .filleth all in all." In Jerusalem this new empire was founded; from the literal Mount Zion the first heralds and ambassadors went forth. And the Church ie a moral elevation. It stands above the common level of human life. It holds a conspicuous place in the earth. Still is it true that "the Lord is King in Zion." III. 1TB GROWTH il'D BEAUTY. "It shall bring forth boughs . . . and be a goodly cedar." From a email beginning it shall steadily develop and increase. Nature is prolific in growth, especially in favoured places; but this growth shall transcend nature -it shall awaken on all sides surprise and admiration. The fulfilment has been equal to the promise. From a feeble and despised beginning it has become already a splendid empire. It has sent its boughs into every land ; and, like the drooping branches of the banyan tree, these have taken root and commenced a new life. It has sent its plastio. on :X.Vtr. 1-24.J 'fRE nooK OF THE PROPHET Ji:ZEKIEL, 315