The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 103

to blame. They are highly culpable who encourage him in a belief in his own great- ness by their base adulation. All people in office need to beware of the honeyed words of those beneath them. III. THE PRIDE OF ITTGH Oll'FICE IS ill INSULT TO GoD. 'l'he prince compare& himself to a god, and bis throne to the seat of e. god. This implies two evils. 1. God- lessnesa. Carrying out this notion in practice, the Prince of Tyre refuses to humble himself in the sight of Heaven. As all men bow to him, he is tempted to forget that he should look up to and bow before a higher Power. 2. Rebellion against God. The proud ruler usurps the place of God. He elects to become an earthly providence. He dispenses with any reference to the holy will of the Supreme, and sets up his own will as the highest authority. IV, SIN IN HIGH OFFICE IS ESPECIALLY CULPABLE BECAUSE IT INVOLVES A MULTI• TUDE IN ITS EVIL EFFECTS. The effects are seen in its contagious influence and in its punishment. 1. Its infl1U,nce. The bad ruler is like Jeroboam, whose awful climax of wickedness was seen in the fact that he "made Israel to sin" (1 Kings xv. 30). The power of a bad ruler is one that makes for wickedness. It sows seeds of sin broadcast. Society takes its fashion from the court, and then each order of the community from that next above it. It is e. fearful thing to be the leader of a fashion of wickedness. 2. Its punishment. The ruler's sin brings misery on the nation. The people must reap the consequences of the misdeeds of their princes. Tyre's doom is the heavier because her prince is a bad man. Therefore (1) the people should look well to the characters of the men they put in office; (2) all persons in authority should dread the double guilt of bringing ruin on the multitude as well as wrecking their own lives. Ver. 3.-" Wiser than Daniel." I. THE TYPICAL WISDOM OF DANIEL. Evidently this wisdom was proverbial in the days of Ezekiel. The prophet implies that the fame of it had reached the province of Tyre. Consider its nature, its application, and its source. 1. Its nature. (1) Insight. Dauiel was able to discern the meaning of mysteries that baffled the ingenuity of tbo most skilful of the magi. The greatest wisdom is required to penetrate beneath the surface. Foolish people are shallow; wisdom dives into depths of truth. (2) Foresight. Daniel had visions of the future. We speculate on the future; he saw it. 2. Its application. (1) To human affairs, Daniel's wisdom was not expended on abstract problems; he did not even use it for that interpretation of nnture which, since the days of Bacon, has yielded us such rich results; he employed it in the consideration of what was most nearly concerned with man. Here wisdom is most practically valuable; but it is just here that the applica- tion of it is most difficult. (2) To large questions. Daniel did not spend his mind on little personal affairs. 1 His vision swept empires. '!'he highest wisdom is required for large public interests. 3. Its sowrce. (1) Springing from Divine inspirntion. Daniel was trained in Chaldean lore, but he did not find his wisdom in that school. It was derived from his religion. We must connect it with his fidelity. He who dared the lions' den rather than be unfaithful to God was rewarded with heavenly wisdom. True wisdom is from above (Jas. iii. 17). (2) Engaged in self-restraint. No doubt the simple living which Daniel chose in common with his three companions prepared him to receive light from God. Luxury and sulf-iudulgence blind the eyes of the soul. Simplicity and self-restraint make e. man most susceptible to the influ- ences of Heaven. II. THE MOCKERY OF WORLDLY WISDOM. The proud Prince of Tyre vainly pretends to excel this high wisdom of Daniel. 1. Its nature. It is" earthly, sensual, devilish" (Jas. iii. 15). The wisdom of the Prince of Tyre was seen in bis successful manage- ment of the commercial affairs of his city. It did not touch the counsels of God; it had no bearing on the true welfare of the state; it gave no insight into the essentially corrupt condition of the city; it was entirely lacking in foresight of irnpeuding doom. But it was in a large measure successful in opening up new markets, favouring mer- cantile exchange, and generally promoting the trade interests of the community. 'This was its highest attainment. There are many people in the present dny whose minds are entirely absorbed in similar subjects. They are keen men of business, and they in1agine that their astuteness in making money ia the height of wisdom, Flattered 106 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [en. xxvm. 1-28.