,of Jerusalem. He waited in end suspense for the fnlfilrnent of his inspired prediction . .At last it came; and one who bad escaped from Jerusalem, and who bad fled eastward, brought the tidings to the children of the Captivity. J. THESE TIDINClS AFFECTED EZEKIEL AB A MAN, AROUSING HIS SYMPATHY, II, THESE TIDINGS AFFECTED HIM AS A PATRIOT, AFFLICTING HIM WITH HUMILIATION. .Jeruealem was the metropolis of bis country, of his race,-it was the scene of events famous in national story. It had been won by the prowess of David; it had been adorned ·by the opulence and splendour of Solomon; it had been the emporium of commerce, aud the home of the learned and the great. It had been the chosen seat of the sanctuary -of Jehovah. How could a true-hearted Hebrew like Ezekiel hear of the capture and fall of the city of David, without feeling his heart sore and anguished because of his -country's bitter humiliation? IIJ. THESE TIDINGS AFFECTED HIM, AS A DEVOUT ISRAELITE, WITH SINCERE DISTRESS. Ezekiel looked upon this event as a chastisement from God inflicted because of the unfaithfulness of the people, and their neglect to use their privileges and opportunities -35 they should have done. When the blow fell, his fears were realized and bis sorrow was stirred within him, because of this consequence of Judah's sins, and because of the evidence afforded of the displeasure of the righteous God. IV. THESE TIDINGS AFFECTED HIM AB A PROPHET WHO RECOGNIZED HEREIN THE FULFILMENT OF THE INSPIRED PREDI<n'ION. What befell Jerusalem was what Ezekiel had, in the name of the Lord, repeatedly and plainly foretold. He could not but be confirmed in the veracity of his God and in the authenticity of his own commission, when the word which he had spoken was fulfilled, and when the disaster of which he had faithfully warned his fellow-countrymen fell upon them in all its destructiveness :and desolation.-T. Vers. 23-29.-The powerlessness of privilege to save. At length the prophet's lipe -are opened; and he who for so long has been dumb, so far as ministration to his own people was concerned, is set free to testify to the sons of .Abraham. While silenced as -regards Israel, Ezekiel has prophesied concerning the heathen nations. Now he again -addresses bis countrymen, and it is interesting to observe to what purpose he uses his recovered liberty of speech. Always candid, fearless, and faithful, the prophet assuree his countrymen that a position of privilege, regarded by itself, is no guarantee of salvation and blessing, that privileges neglected and abused only entail the severer condemnation. I. IsRAEL's PRIVILEGES. Those were many, but Ezekiel makes especial reference to two. 1. The descent of the nation from Abrabnm, the father of the faithful and the friend of God. 2. The promise of inheriting the land. This Jehovah had given to the progenitors of the nation, and he bad fulfilled his gracious assurance. No people were so highly favoured; they possessed the memory of their glorious ancestors; the laws and promises given by Moses, their great lender, deliverer, and legislator; the institu- tions of priesthood, sacrifice, and worship, by which God revealed himself to his people and secured to them his mercy and favour ; and all the associations and advantages counected with the occupation of the land of promise. . II. IBRAEL'B UNFAITHFULNESS. The people had Abraham to their father, but they did not the works of Abraham, and they had not Abraham's faith. The people did posses~ the land, but they did not use their national privileges as they might have done, ,th~y did not make the land a land of righteousness and true piety. The prophet, in this passage, refers to faults and sins of two orders, with which the people are especially upbraided. (1) Idolatrous apostacy; and (2) moral delinquency,-both of which are <:barged upon the people with that outspoken plainness by which Ezekiel's writings are so strikingly and honourably marked. III. IBRAEL'B PUNISHMENT. There is a certain monotony about these threats and denunciations. Because of the abominations which these highly favoured people have committed, it is foretold: 1. That multitudes shall be slain by the sword of the enemy, by the wild beasts that shall multiply because of the desolation of the land, and by the pestilence. 2. 'fbat the country, in consequence of the calamities befalling its inhabit- ants, shall be wasted. The pride and pomp of her power shall cease, and her mountains shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. 196 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIET,. [cu. xum. 1-33'.
IV. IsRAEL's WITNESS TO G-0D. This is an unintentional and unconscious witness-, but none the less a valuable and effective testimony for all who receive it. Those who see and hear of the fulfilment of the Divine warnings and predictions cannot but have their faith confirmed in the truth and power of the Most High, and in the righteousness of his dealings with the sons of men. He is shown to be a Judge, from whose observa- tion and cognizance no misdemeanour can be screened, and from whose righteol18 sentence no criminal can escape.-T.