The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 57

Vera. 15-17.-T/,e old hatred. Between the Israelites, the children of light, and the Philistines, the children of darkness, there existed for centuries almost uninter- rupted hostility. Their position upon the coast, their powerful cities, their formidable warriors, their imposing yet debasing religion, concurred to make them mighty. And the immediate neighbourhood of the descendants of Abraham brought the two peoples mto frequent collision. The Philistines were sometimes used as the means of humi- liating the unfaithful and disobedient children of Israel; and bitterly was the discipline felt when the Philistines rejoiced over them. For the Philistines on the west, as well es for the Ammonites and Edomites upon the east, the day of reckoning was at hand. I. THE HATRED OF THE PHILISTINES TOW.ARDS IsBAEr, W.AB ANCIENT, PERENNIAL, AND UNDECA YING, This may be illustrated from the historical books of the Old Testament Scriptures. !I. THIS HATRED HAD 1TB POLITIO.AL ORIGIN IN THE SETTLEMENT OF THE ISRAELITES IN CANA.AN. ill AND ITS RELIGIOUS ORIGIN IN THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE PURE WORSHIP OF JEHOVAH AND THE DEGRADING RELIGION PBAOTISED IN PHILISTIA. JV. THIS HATRED DISPLAYED ITSELF OFFENSIVELY IN THE TIME OF ISRAEL'S DEPRESSION AND HUMILIATION. V. 'l'rus HATRED BROUGHT DOWN UPON THE PHILISTINES THE INDIGNATION AND THB RETRIBUTIVE BECOJdPl!:NSE OF THE MosT HIGH. VJ. THIS HATRED THUS FURNISHED AN OCCASION FOB THE VINDICATION BY GoD OF HIS OWN RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT AND IRRESISTIBLE .AUTHORITY. APPLICATION. 1. There is such a thing as national morality. Apart from thQ character and conduct of individuals, a nation by its collective action proves itself to possess a certain moral unity. 2. There is such a thing as national responsibility. 'l'be people sin, and the people suffer; the people repent and call upon God, and the people are saved. 3. There is especial scope for the display of national virtues, and for the right use of national opportunity and probation, in the relations which subsist between differeot and sometimes rival communities. 4. National pride, power, and prosperity are of no avail in God's sight, if injustice and malevolence are exhibited by nations iu their iotercourse and trailSactions with each other, 0 The righteous Lord loveth righteousness."-T. OH, xx,,, 1-17.] THE DOOK OF THE PROPHE'f EZEKIEL. 59