HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 7.-The commission of tl,,e watchman. In the position occupied by Ezekiel there was much that was special and peculiar; his commission and his duty accordingly differed in many respects from those of other prophets, and in a degree still more marked from those of ordinary ministers of religion. Still, the points in which his ministry accorded with that of other heralds of Divine righteousness and mercy were both more numerous and more important than those which were special to himself. The consideration of Ezekiel's calling must therefore not only help us to realize what was Lis work, but help us to apprehend and feel how solemn and sacred is the resllonsi- bility attaching to the office of every true religious teacher and preacher. I. H:rs DIVINE A.PPOINTME:t,"'T. Upon this the mind of the prophet was clear. He had heard his God, the God of his fathers, addressinii; his inmost nature: "I have sot thee a watchman." He did not assume the office and the work at the instigation of his own heart. It was not through vanity or ambition that he took upon him to speak authoritatively to his countrymen. He was not invited or summoned by the house of Israel to be their counsellor. The voice that called him was Divine; it was a voice which he had no moral option but to obey. II. Hrs B?ECIA.L CHA.BGE. Ezekiel did indeed receive messages for others than hie countrymen; he communicated the mind and will of God to Edom and to Moab, to Tyre and to Egypt. But it was the house of Israel to whom he was sent, who were placed, in a measure, under his care. They were his own people and kindred, sharing his inherited advantages and privileges. And he seems to have felt towards them very much, as centuries afterwards, Paul felt towards his kindred according to the flesh. He had a bnrning zeal and solicitude for their welfare. He counted it an honourable and sacred, although a very painful, office to watch for their souls. III. His PERSONAL QUALIFIOATIONS. It is not fanciful to lay great stress upon the appellation by which he is constantly addressed by the Lord himself: "Son of man." In order to mediate between God and man, a prophet needs not only a nature reverent and receptive towards God, but a nature sympathetic towards man. A true maD, understanding human strength and weakness, entering into the trials and temptations of human life, appreciating human motives, hopes, fears, ond aims, the minister of religion is qualified to deal with the souls of his fellow-creatures, No one can read the book of hie prophecies without feeling that Ezekiel was just such a man. IV. His RECEPTIVE ATTITUDE. Ezekiel's first business was to pince himself in communication with the Being in whom is all truth, in whom is all authority, "Hear the word at my mouth I " was God's command. A mind confi<lent in its own wisdom, self-sufficient and arrogant, could not fulfil the prophc,tic office aright. 'l'he prophet speaks for God; but he must first be with God. He must see the vision he is to relate, and hear the message he is to repeat. There is ever danger lest religious teachers should teach upon their own account; but reverence and modesty should leoo en. XXXIII. 1-33.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 108
them to regard themselves as vehicles of truth and warning, promise and encourage- ment, to their fellow-men. V. H:rs ACTIVE DUTY, "Warn them from me!" was the Divine command; which implies that the house of Israel was in danger, and needed stirring and authoritative admonition. And this was indeed the case, as is apparent from the facts of their history. It is an unthankful office to discharge, and Ezekiel met, as every faithful teacher must do, with hostility and unbelief, with resentment n.nd ingratitude. But the duty was plain, and the prophet fulfilled it, whether men gave heed or forbore. And his ministry was not wholly in vain.-T. Vars. 8, 9.-The responsi1n1ity of the watchman. It was well that the prophet should be given clearly to understand what was expected and required of him, not by men to whom he was sent, but by God who sent him. Plainer language could not have been used than this, in which Ezekiel is not only told the nature or his message to the house of Israel, but is informed of the responsibility attaching to the manner in which the commission was fulfilled. I. THE DUTY. The special duty of the watchman or guardian, as here explained, concerns the treatment of the wicked. More particularly it is for him (1) to warn the wicked; (2) to assure the inattentive and impenitent that the punishment of death awaits him; (3) to admonish him to repent. II. THE POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE. Enthusiasm sometimes loses sight of this. Many a young minister of religion co=ences bis work with the conviction that God's message has only to be delivered in order to its acceptance; that the '1)lorul Law is so beautiful that it has but to be exhibited in order to be revered and honoured; that tbe gospel is so precious and glorious that no one who hears it can fail to embrace it. Experience dispels many of our illuRions; and it is soon found that there are men capable of listening lti the threats of the Law and to the promises of the gospel with utter indifference and unconcern. Ezekiel was reminded that some of the wicked might not turn, might•die in their iniquity. Doubtless he found that this was actually the case. It is no discredit either to the message or to the messenger that men do not accept the Word and act upon it. Our Lord Jesus had occasion to marvel at the unbelief of those to whom he ministered; and when St. Paul preached, "some believed, and some believed not." ill. THE UNFAITHFUL WATCHMAN. This is the appointed guardian who" does not speak to warn the wicked of his way." This unfaithfulness may be accounted for by indolence, or by undue fear, or by a desire to conciliate and please his hearers. But all such motives should be consumed by a burning desire on the part of the spiritual guardian to commend himself to his Master. '!'he watchman is assured that if, through his unfaithfulness, the wicked dies unwarned and impenitent in his iniquity, the blood of the perishing shall be req\llred at the watchman's hand. IV. THE FAITHFUL WATCHMAN. Faithfulness does not involve uniform or even usual success. The earnestly and frequently warned may nevertheless die in his iniquity. The fervent prophet, the zealous preacher, the diligent pastor, may have the inexpres- sible sorrow of seeing little fruit of their labour. It may be necessary that the testimony should be borne, even though rejected and despised. But the servant of the Lord is assured, for his encouragement, that, if he does his duty, he delivers his souL His workmanship may perish in the flames; yet he himself may be saved, though through the fire.-T.