The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 88

HOMILETICS. Ver. 2.-.A lamentati.on for Tyre. In the previous chapter the prophet denounced judgment on Tyre; in this chapter he utters a lamentation over the doomed city. The one is in the spirit of vengeance, the other in the spirit of sympathy. The prophet thus reveals to us two elements in the Divine treatment of sin-first the wrath that punishes, then the tenderness that commiserates. I. TYRE IS IN A LAMENTABLE CONDITION. At present she is wealthy and pros- perous. But the prophet looks into the future and sees her doom approaching. Therefore he sings her funeral dirge while the thoughtless city s.till revels in luxury. Christ uttered his lament over Jerusalem before a shadow of approaching calamity had fallen on the wicked city. L It is lamentable to be living under a doom of destruction. In ignorance, unbelief, or carelessness, me:i enjoy life although they are guilty of sins that must bring down the wrath of Heaven. "As in the days that were before the Flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark" (Matt. xxiv. 38). But to thoughtful spectators such unseemly gaiety is only a source of profound distress. Surely if men would but look up, the sword of Damocles above their heads should arrest the untimely mirth. It is fearful for the wise to be lamenting over the approaching fate which the foolish will not perceive. 2. It is more lamentable to be living in the sin that deserves this doom. Sin is worse than its punishment. Whatever men may believe about the future, the present case of the sinner is most deplorable. If he glories in his shame, that shame is only the more lamentable. The most wretched condition of the prodigal son is that before he has come to himself, when he revels insanely in his degradation. ll. THE CONDITION OF TYBE EXOITEB C0114MIBEBATION IN THE BEBVANT OF Go». Ezekiel does not merely threaten vengeance, he bewails the ill-fated city. It WBS the crowning fault of Jonah that he had no pity for Nineveh (Jonah iv. 1). No one is fit to speak of future punishment who is not moved to tenderness by a contemplation of its woes. A harsh denunciatory style is not in harmony with the example ot Hebrew prophecy, much less does it agree with the New Testament model. 1. Sin should not destroy pity, but exdte it. Jerusalem was most wicked; therefore Christ wept (Luke xiL 41). 2. The heathen call for our commiseration. Missionary enter- prises are founded on two great motives-the claims of Christ, and the pitiable con- dition of the Christlee1. Human brotherhood should excite sympathy for the condition of the most remote. This was here seen in Judaism; much more is it to be looked for in Christianity. 8. We should be most concerned at the sin and danger of our friends. Tyre was an old ally of Israel. If the Jews had been more faithful, possibly the Phreaicians might have been saved. Our negligence may be to blame for the fate of our friends. IIL THE Lill:ENTATI0N FOR TYBE DID NOT SAVE THE CITY. 1. Lamentation will not save withw;t repentance. 'l'he fear of future punishment will not give a means of escape from that p11nishment. We must go further to a confession of sin and a desire b a better life. 2. The lamentation of others will not save the impenitent. Ezekiel' s on. xxvn. 1-38.:) TSE BOOK OF Tll:£ PROPHET EZEKIEL. 91