The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 318

he comple.ins, • it ie not the king that can do e.nything'" (Dr. Smith's 'Bible Dictione.ry,' e.rt. "Zedekie.h "). So he violated his oath of allegiance to N ebuchadaezzar, and entered into league with Egypt. And the dread consequences of such conduct announced in our text were terribly accomplished (cf. 2 Kings xxv. 1-21; Jer. Iii. 4--30). III. THE UNIVERSAL AND PERMANENT TEACHING 011' THE HISTORY. 1. The imtability of earthly pomp and power, greatness, and granrkwr. Mighty kings have often passed from the throne into exile or the dungeon. And kingdoms once strong and stately as a cedar of Lebanon have been completely rooted up or cut down. Such was the case with the kingdom of Judah. Abounding in vigour and prosperity in the days of David and of Solomon, it was much weakened by different causes and on various occasions, and at this time was fast hastening to its complete overthrow. "Thne changing empires wane and wax, Are fonnded, flourish, and decay." 2. The chief cause of the decline and fall of kings and kingdoms is moral. Sin had already made an end of the kingdom of Israel, and sent her people into exile. Sin had deprived the kiagdom of Judah of most of its ancient prestige and power. And it and its king were ruined through the base treachery of that king towards Nebuchadnezzar, to which treachery he was incited by the princes of the court. "It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness : for the throne is established by righteousness;" " Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteous- ness;" " Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." The luxurious self-indulgence of the rich, the cruel oppression of the poor, the greed of territory, the delight in war, the prevalence of vice,-these are the causes of the over- throw of nations. 3. The heinousness of the sin of disregarding solemn oaths and covenants. This is frequently done in international relations, as though it were quite justifiable. "Priaces and politicians are apt to trifle with solemn oaths and treaties," says Scott," and to devise specious pretences for violating them : but the Lord will not hold them guiltless who thus take his Name in vain; and few of them will be able to plead more plausibly for perfidy and prying than Zedekiah might have done, against whom these awful threatenings were denounced for breaking his covenant with the King of Babylon, and despising the oath sworn to him." "Think not to whom, but remember by whom, thou hast sworn an oath." 4. The mutations in the kingdoms of this world are all subordinated in the providence of <Jod for the promotion of the pro- gress of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. As soon as Jehovah by his prophet has announced the overthrow of Zedekiah and the destruction of the kiagdom of Judah, he at once proceeds to announce the establishment of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus (vers. 22-24). Before the setting up of that kingdom in our world all events were made to contribute to its inauguration. And since then all human history has been controlled by God for its growth and increase. And it is destined to advance and extend until it universally prevails. " The kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of onr Lord and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever." "His Name shall endure for ever; His Name shall be continued wi long as the sun: And men shall be blessed in him; All nations shall call him blessed." W.J. Vers. 6-10.-Discontent and its disastrous development. "He took also of the seeJ. of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field,'' etc. Explain the parable as far as is necessary to make application of the text clear. J. THE CONDITION ALLOTTED TO US IN THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE IS GOOD FOR US, AND USUALLY AFFORDS SCOPE FOR PROGRESS, "He took also of the seed of the land, and rlanted it in a fruitful field," etc. (vers. 6, 8). Zedekiah King of Judah is meant by "the seed of the land." He was set upon the throne by Nebuchadnezzar King of Babvlon and took an oath of fealty to him. In so doing Nebuchadnezzar was the unconscious agent of Divine providence. And the condition in which Zedekiah was plp.ced was a good one, nnd favoural,ile to progress. But is there for every one a condi·  318 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [011. xvn.1-24:.