The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 190

Vers. 30-33.-The prophet's f"eception. Ofientimes have faithful ministers ,f religion to share the experience and the distress of Ezekiel, who was listened to with a measure of curiosity, interest, and satisfaction, but whose counsels were unheeded and whose requirements were unfulfilled. 'l'he Lord, who commissioned his servant the prophet, assured him that, notwithst:inding his authoritative commission, he should meet, from many who heard his voice, with incredulity and practical rejection. Some, who were gratified with his discourse, his poetical illustrations, his sublime flights of imagination, his grand and rhetorical invective, should nevertheless refuse or neglect to put his precepts and admonitions into practice. There is something very picturesque in the account here given of the prophet's reception. Some of its points are these- I. GENERAL INTEREST. The people talk of him, even if they talk against him ; they say one to another, "Come, let us hear the word." Ezekiel had not, therefore, to complain of neglect. Il. OUTWARD AND VERBAL RESPECT. His prophetic vocation iii acknowledged. The people come to him and sit before him and liste:u to his discourse. There is every outward demonstration of honour. Ill. ENJOYMEl!o'T OF HIS LANGUAGE. "Thon art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument," The melody of the prophet's speech, the grace of his diction, the grandeur of his style, excite and please the imagination of all who are capable of literary appreciation. IV. PROFESSIONS OF LOVE. There is something beyond mere admiration. "With their month they show much love." A witness within assures the people that the prophet is a man who feels for them and desires their welfare. Love awakens love, and in a superficial way they feel a certain attachment to the prophet personally; they know him to be their true friend. V. 0oNSCIOUSNEBB OF INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN TIJE PROPHETI0 DOCTRINE AND THEm OWN Lll"E. This a.rises from their disobedience to the prophetic counsel and require- ments. They hear the words of the Lord, but they will not do them; their heart goeth forth into covetousness. .A schism is thus created between their innermost convictions-the voice of reason and of conscience on the one hand, and their habitual practice on the other. The Word fails to produce a moral reformation, In such cases the prophet prophesies in vain. VI. MATTER IS THUS LAID UP FOB FUTURE REPENTANCE. When we see what is best and do it not, we may be assured that our choice is one which we shall surely come to regret. The Hebrews of Ezekiel's time knew that he was a just and faithful man, to whom they listened with interest and pleasure. They were assured that the time should come when they should know that there had been a prophet among them, and that in neglecting his ministrations they had forfeited blessings then placed withiD their reach, and had wronged their own souls. Privileges neglected and abused can never be recalled, but their memory will be bitter when they rise up in judgment &gainst the unfaithful-T. Vers. 1-9.-%e watchman's offir-e, All the resources of God's ingenuity are employed to find argument and appeal for man's slumbering conscience. The incidents of ordinary life are carved into channels for the conveyance of Divine messages. No man shall say that the message was above his comprehension. For even a child can llllderstand if it is willing. Lessons concerning the heavenly life meet the eye of the r,blerver all the day long. .As prudent men act to conserve their bodily life, so God ,of\JI in our spiritual concemments. l. A HOSTILE INVASION SUPPOSED, In the earlier days of human history raids from "'lt1ghbouring tribes were frequent. International rights and usages were things cu. xxxm. 1-33.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 197