The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 94

wide was the city's commerce, that no people, however dist::mt, could be unaffected by the catastrophe; and so awful was its fate, that no sensitive mind could contemplate it unmoved. To the vision of the prophet-poet, the galley labours and strains, and at l88i sinks in the waters of the Meditermnean. The dwellers upon the land and those who sail the sea gather together upon the shore t,o witness the shipwreck. Their cry and bitter wailing fill the air. Every sign of humiliation and of mourning is exhibited by the spectators. A lamentation, a dirge, rises from the company of those deeply moved by sympathetic sorrow. They celebrate the glories of the past; they bear witness to present calamity and woe; they confess with terror that Tyre never shall be more. We trace in the demeanour and the language here depicted- !. ASTONISHMENT AT THE SPECTACLE OF DESTRUCTION. The scene was so unexpected, so much in contradiction to all human anticipation and foresight, so revolutionary, so appalling, that amazement was the predominant emotion of those who witnessed it. II. SENSE OF THE WORLD'S LOSS BY REASON OF THE SHIPWRECK. The earth seemed poorer for the overthrow and annihilation of Tyre-the leading seaport and commercial centre of the nations. In ver. 33 this loss is depicted, the loss alike of peoples and of kings. Riches and merchandise disappeared, engulfed with Tyre in the insatiable deep. The march of human civilization seemed to be arrested. • III. CoNTBAST WITH THE REMEMBERED A:SD MEMORABLE PAST. Cities, like men, are sometimes best understood and appreciated when they are no more. Those who recollected Tyre's splendour would, in their old age, tell a new generation of the bygone wonders. " Who is there like Tyre, like her that is brought to silence in the midst of the sea?" The puny successors to the peerless seaport would point many a moral, and inspire many a regret for vanished glories. IV. UNSETTLEMEN'l' AND FOREBODING AS TO THE FUTURE. Astonishment is often associated with fear and trouble. When a vast calamity occurs, it is as if the fountains of the great deep were broken up. Men's hearts fail them for fear. What is to be the future of the world's history? What nation is secure? What throne is stable? What principle, what power, shall bear sway in coming times? There is but one answer to these questions, but one confidence that can never be shaken, "The kingdoms of the earth are the Lord's."-T. Vers. 1-38.-Wreck of a stately ship. There is e. striking resemblance between a gallant ship and an empire. Many persons and orders are united in a state under one governor or captain. There is a unity amid diversity. A state, like a ship, has inter- change of interests with other nations. Upon the skill a.ad prudence of the pilot depends the prosperity of empire or ship. The whole life of Tyre was poured into the channel of co=erce. Hence the figure would be readily appreciated. I. THE COMPOlfENT PARTS OF THIS SHIP WEBE GATHERED WOBLD-WIDE. The timber was supplied from one country, iron from another, cordage from a third, sails from a fourth. Evidently God intended that nations should be linked together in inter- dependence. The commodities essential for civilization are wisely distributed through many le.ads, so that friendly intercommunion may be mutual advantage. National exclusiveness is substantial loss. No country is prosperous in the highest measure that is not willing to import learning and legislation, scientific inventions and natural products, from other lands. Tyre owed her greatness and her prosperity to a large and generous commerce. She was willing to receive from the most obscure or most distant people. The ripest sage can learn from a litlle child. II. THE SHIP'S cnEW. "Thy wise men, 0 Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots." Sailors, helmsmen, a.ad defenders were chosen of those most skilful for their particular work. Such a course is the only reasonable one ; and yet, in the direction of political affairs, this course is often abandoned. Men are allowed to rule, or are chosen to rule, either in supreme or subordinate places, because of their pedigree, or their titles, or their wealth, or their arrogance. The interests of the state are imperilled, the safety of the state is jeopardized, by partiality or by partisanship. The only qualification for office is personal fitness. No one would entrust his life in a ship which was not commanded by a skilful e.nd experienced captain. IIL THE eHIP'e BUBINEBB, The proper business of a ship is usefulness. She has been construc~d and maD.lled to convey passengers and commodities from land to laµd, OJI. xxvu. 1-36.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 97