The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 141

assurance ngninst the fatal consequences of wickedness that can be effected by means of nssociation. "Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished" (Prov. xi. 21). III. THERE 1s NO PROTECTION IN OBSCURITY. Poor Cush and Phut and Lud are obscure, unimportant, aud remote. Yet they share the fate of better-known Egypt. No one can hide his sin under the cloak of his own insignificance. No ferret is so keen as a man's own sin when the time comes for it to find him out. IV. ALLIANCE WITH GREAT SINNERS WILL NOT AFFORD ANY PROTECTION. These other 11ations were joined to great Egypt. But this alliance did not save them. On the contrary, the grandeur of Egypt attracted Nebuchadnezzar to their neighbourhood. Had there been no rich and famous Egypt, he would not have troubled himself to attack Cush and Phut and Lud. We gain nothing by the power or prestige of influential connections when we are called to judgment for our sins. V. THEY ARE GUILTY OF SIN WHO AID AND ABET IT. These neighbouring nations uphold Egypt. They will share her fate. From Migdol on the Delta to the granite- quarries of Syene far away to the south on the borders of the Soudan-five hundred miles -the ruin of great Egypt will extend; it will also spread to the people who support her policy and contribute to her prosperity. He who makes others to sin is himself the greatest of sinners. Fagin the trainer of child-thieves is himself a monstrous thief, though he never steals a handkerchief with his own fingers. People who encourage opium- eating, drunkenness, or profligacy, by supporting the causes of those evils, are guilty of them. The mercenaries of Egypt share the fate of their wealthy mistress. 'l'here are too many mercenaries of sin in the present day, For the sake of gain men will carry on a business which they know is directly ministering to the ruin of their fellow- creatures. They attempt to defend themselves with the excuse that they do not force those whom they supply with the means of self-destruction to avail themselves of it. This is true; but, on the other hand, they tempt the miserable victims by affording facility for fatal indulgence. That is the sin of Satan. Ver. 7.-Desolation. Egypt is to be desolate in the midst of countries that are desolate, and her cities laid waste in the midst of other ruined cities. A picture of widespread and general desolation. I. THERE IS A DESOLATION OF LANDS AND CITIES. Having lived free from the ravages of an invader ever since the Norman conquest, we find it impossible to imagine the agonies of war among the people who suffer from them. The excitement of battle may drown those horrors for a season. But when that excitement is over, the con- sequent dist:ess is deep and bitter, widespread and lasting. W a.r is a demon of destruc- tion. It literally ravages a country. No incursion of wild beasts from the forest, no pestilence or famine, can bring about evils equal to those of war. It is the duty of all Christi.an people to band themselves together into a league of peace. The war-mongers often raise cries of "British interests in danger I" 'l'he country should learn that the greatest British interest is peace. II. THERE 1s A DESOLATION OF HOMES. 1. This happens in bankruptcy, which is often brought about by wicked devices of cunning men. The succesEful. promoter of a company entraps unwary people, pockets a rich premium, escapes before the crash, and leave his victims to ruin and misery. Gambling ruina multitudes of homes. If a. man considered his duty to his wife and children, he would see that this terribly prevalent national vice is selfish and cruel. 2. This happens in external prosperity. Drunkenness makes a home desolate even before it has brought l)0verty, and no home can be more wretched for the children than that of drunken parents. 'l'herefore the self-indulgence of intemperance is brutally cruel. Quarrelling desolates a. home. Many a. ho11Be thag is envied by the ignorant for its affluence and luxury is a very prison of misery. When love departs, the best-appointed home is desolate. Dreary souls then drag out a beclouded existence among the melancholy ruins of wasted affection. III. THERE IB A DESOLATION OF CnuRCHEB. 1. T/iis may be physical. The Mohammedans simply stamped out the relics of a decaying and quarrelsome Christianity in North A.frica-the home of Tertullian, Cyprian, and Augustine. The seven Churches of Asia have nearly all disappeared. If we are not true and strong in the Christian life, our candlestick will at length be taken away from us. 2. It may be spiritual, 'l'he oa. xxx.1-26.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 145