The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 53

among the nalions." ,ve have the name of this little nation preserved, but even that only reaches us through its connection with Israel; or if archaiologists can point Hout to us on ancient inscriptions, no history of value, nothing to identify the race, remains, It is, indeed, a forgotten people. Let us consider how a nation may bring upon itself this fate of oblivion. I. IT MAY CEASE TO EXIST. Though the Jewi~h nation was broken up eighteen centuries ago, the Jewish people remain among us to this day as a numerous, marvel- lously energetic, and quite distinct section of mankind. But where are the Ammonites? We do not hear of Ammonite bankers, Ammonite newspaper editors, or the admission of the Ammonites to Parliament. Neither in Europe nor in their ancient Syrian plains and uplands arc those long-lost people ever mentioned except as a race of antiquity. Now, how comes it that a people thus ceases to exist? A nation can only withstand the shock of invasion, conquest, and deportation to foreign parts without the loss of separate existence if its members are inspired and bound t-0gether by the possession of one common great idea. It is the Hebrew idea that retains the Jewish name and race as a separate entity independent of geographical boundaries and political revolutions. If the English are not to become an extinct people, they must depend on more than a strong navy and a well-equipped army; for no one can predict the chances of war. If we continue distinguished in our mission as a civilizing, Christianizing people, we can never c,ease to have our part in the great world's history. The Church will ultimately cease to exist if she eliminates all that is distinctive in Christian truth, and thinks to prosper simply on account of the strength of her organization and the wealth of her vested interests. But if she retains her sacred tradition of truth, ehe can outlive all revolutionary attacks on her worldly status. IL IT MAY FAIL TO EXEBT INFLUENCE. Each nation has its own peculiar privileges and vocation. However small a people may be, if it truly appreciates its privileges and honestly fulfils its vocation, it cannot well be forgotten. Achaia was a small sta.te, yet as long as civilization endures it can never be forgotten. The Greeks contributed permanent elements to the world's civilization; and since Greek thought has passed into universal culture, it is impossible for Hallas to fall out of the memory of man, unless man degenerates to barbarism. The memory of Israel is greater than her present appearance and immediate influence. The Jews gave us the Bible, and with the Bible the eternal foundation of our faith. Therefore the Jews can never be forgotten. But what have the Ammonites given to the world? Contributing nothing, they deservedly sink into oblivion. If England is to live in history and in the world's continuous coarse, she must do her part and contribute her elements towards the progress of the race. The Church of the apostolic era was too fruitful ever to be forgotten. The Church of the nineteenth century will live or be forgotten according 11,s it contributes to the spread of the kingdom of heaven and the help of man in his higher thought and life, or fails in this mission and sinks back into ignominious inactivity, frivolous formalism, and unspiritual self-complacency. Vers. 12-14.-The revengeful nation. The Edomites are characterized as an especially revengeful people, because they watched for their opportunity, and, when the Jews were crushed and prostrate beneath the cruel Chaldean invasion, rushed in to smite their fallen foe. L THE WICKED REVENGE. 1. Vengeance is presumptuous. There is a right recompense for sin, but this lies with God. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Rom. xii. 19). He who seizes the weapons of vengeance usurps the authority of God. 2. Vengeance is cruel. Divine vengeance is a just punishment. There is no vindictive pleasure in it. But human vengeance springs from an evil appetite, that seeks a personal satisfaction m the sufferings of its victim. Such vengeance is distinctly wicked. Indeed, the self-elected minister of vengeance is forced into this dilemma-either his vengeance is a delight to him, or it is not. If it is a delight, the joy is wicked, devilish; if it is no delight, why does he practise it, for the plea that he is urged by a sense of public duty is delusive? Directly tha.t becomes the motive, revenge vanishes and puniRhrncnt ta.kcs its pla.ce. 3. Vengeance is uncl,ri6tian. It is to be noted that this vengeful spirit was charged a.s a great wickedness against the Edomites. '!'hey lived in the pre-Christian days, a.nd they on. xxv.1-17.] THE BOOK OF •rHE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 55