The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 120

Zidonians seem to have rejoiced in their troubles and distresses. They are said to have done "despite unto them" (ver. 24). They had made them smart with their contempt and derision. 'l'he Lord takes notice of this, and will judge them for it, Says Heng- stenberg, "While the Lord chastises his own people with an unsparing rod, he visits the neighbouring heathen nations for the wrong which they have done to his people, as if it were directed :igainst himself, and verifies in them his word, • He that toucheth you toucbeth the apple of his eye' (Zech. ii. 8)." Thus we see that there were good reasons for this judgment. God does not punish any person or people without just cause. " His work is perfect; For ell his ways are judgment; A god of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he." (Dent. xuii. 4,) "Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of thy throne" (Ps. lxxxix.14); "'Righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages" (Rev. xv. 3). II. IN THE NATURE OF HIS JUDGMENT. " I will send into her pesUlence, and blood in her streets; and the wounded shall fall in the midst of her, with the sword upon her on every side" (ver. 23). This judgment by pestilence and sword can hardly be said to have been executed in the invasion by Nebuchadnezzar, seeing that Zidon submitted to him apparently without offering any serious resistance. But this threatening of pestilence and sword may point to the sufferings of the Zidonians at a later period of their history, in consequence of their revolt against the Persians, to whom they were then subject. Zidon was at that time a wealthy and flourishing city; and the revolt would probably have been successful but for the treachery of 'l'ennes, their king, who, in fulfilment of a comp:ict with Artaxerxee Och us, the Persian monarch, betrayed into his "power one hundred of the most distinguished citizens of Zidon, who were all shot to death with javelins. Five hundred other citizens, who went out to the king with ensigns of supplication, shared the same fate ; and by concert between Tennes and Mentor, the Persian troops were admitted within the gates, and occupied the city walls. The Zidonians, before the arrival of Ochus, had burnt their vessels to prevent any one leaving the town; and when they saw themselves surrounded by the Persian troops, they adopted the desperate resolution of shutting themselves up with their families, and setting fire each man to his own house (n.o. 351). Forty thousand persons are said to have perished in the flames. Tennes himself did not save his own lifo, as Ochus, notwithstanding his promise to the contrary, put him to death. The privilege of searching the ruins" I for the gold and silver they contained was sold by Artaxerxes for money. Bot our point is that the character of this judgment contributes to the glory of God. Wbether we refer the prophecy to the conquest by Nebuchadnezzar, or to the terrible transactions connected with the revolt against the Persian power, or to both, there was nothing arbitrary on God's part in the execution of the judgment. The Lord did not, as it were, go out of his way to inflict it. 'fhe Zidooians may be said to have brought it upon themselves. Yet all was regulated and controlled by the providence of God. The Divine punishment of sin is never an arbitrary infliction, but the natural working of a necessary law. 'fhe penalty is the natural consequence of the transgression. The suffering is the fruit of the sin. III. IN THE EFFECT OF HIB JUDGMENT. A twofold effect ie exhibited by the prophet. 1. Relief and blessing to the people of the Lord. "And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor a grieving thorn of any that be round about them, that did despite unto them" (ver. 24). This refers not to the Zidonians alone, but to the other peoples who, being neighbours to the house of Israel, bad been a trouble unto them. They "that are round about them, that did despite unto them," would cease to molest and distress them. "God's judgment on the ungodly tends to the good of his Church." 2. ~cknowledgment of the supremacy of the Lord. 'l'wice in this brief paragraph it is said of the Zidoniane, " And they shall know that I am the Lord." (Thes<J words, which occur so frequently in this book, we noticed in eh. vi. 7, 10; vii. 4.) The people of Zidon "must recognize or experience him in hie operations, whom they obstinately refused to reeo:>gnize willingly" (Hengstenberg). It is also said of the Israelites, "And 1 Dr. Smith's• Bible Dictionary,' art. "Sidon." cm. xxvm. 1-26.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 123