The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 361

Ver. 40.-God's holy mountain. I. THE BITE:. God's holy mountain is the site of the temple at Jerusalem. God promises his people that the exile will cease, that they shall return and worship him once more at the old sacred spot. Note the characteristics of it. 1. It is e,xa,lted. A mountain. Jerusalem is two thousand feet above the level of the Mediterranean Sea. The rock where the altar of burnt offering stood-now covered by what is called the "Mosque of Omar"-is the highest part of Mount Moriah. Yve look up to heaven in worship. 2. It is conspicuous. A eity that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Private worship should be unostentatious and secret (Matt. vi. 6) ; but public worship should be open to all, and well known, that others may be invited, and that God may be glorified. Churches should be built in conspicuous places. 3. It is consecrated by old memories. There the fathers worshipped, and there also God came down and blessed his people in the olden time. Faith is strengthened, and worship stimulated by snch memories. . II. THE SERVICE. 1. The people are to serve. They will not be rescued only tc, be left to enjoy themselves in idleness. The restored exiles are redeemed for high service. Christians are not saved from ruin that they may slumber io listless indifference. Indeed, part of Christ's salvation is deliverance from idleness, and the redemption of our pow~rs that they may be turned to higher uses, i.e. to the service of God. 2: (!od is to be the one Lord served. In the old days of sin the people had attempted a divided alie~iance. But this must now cease. The redeemed must live to the Lord. "Yo can~ot serve God and mamroon" (Matt. vi. 24). Ill. 'l'HE ACCEPTANCE. This is the heart of the whole promise, from which the glow and joy of it spring. God had rejected his people and their sacrifices, casting the men iuto exile and permitting the sacrifices to cease. Defore that disaster, he had refused tu accept the offerings of those who practised wickedness (Isa. i. 13). But now on their return to their old home aR purged penitents, God will accept both the people and their gi!t,;. All unr l&bour is iu vaiu unle8S it l.Je accepted by him to whom it should be , ,ff,,rcd. Gud accepts bis repentant and returning people (1) on tLe ground of their cm xx. 1-49.] 'l'HE BOOK O/.i' THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 363