The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 203

life in innocent childhood not far from the bosom or God. 2. They have gone int" distant places. Israel was driven abroad locally; souls depart from their homes spiritually, (1) in thought, when the old beliefs are abandoned for the wilderness or doubt; (2) in life, when the old ways are left, and God and duty are neglected. Heave11 then recedes into the background. 3. They were scattered. No bond of union remains. The flock, which was a unit, becomes broken, and there are now only separate sheep. Error and sin disintegrate society. 4. They were lost fr/, darkness. The disaster happened "in the cloudy and dark day." Tbe time of doubt, trouble, or temptation is one of danger. Then souls may be cast adrift for want of wise and tender shepherding. 5. They S'Uffered through the neglect of the shepherds. The great sin is that of the faith- less leaders. II. THEY ABE BOUGHT. The shepherds lost them; God seeks them. God himselC desires that the lost should be restored. For he values them as the farmer values his flock. It is not a matter of indifference to Got! that souls should perish. He does not leave the sheep to come home, prepared to welcome them on their return; he seeks them. He does not only bold himself ready to weleome the returning penitent. He goes forth to seek him. The housewife sweeps the house to find her lost piece of silver (Luke xv. 8). The father goes to meet the prodigal son (Luke xv. 20). 1. God seeks 1,y hu :providence. The movements of life should bring us hack to God. 2. He seeks by hi, :prophets. Ezekiel was seeking the lost sheep. The Bible is sent forth as God's meana of seeking the lost. So is all true preaching of the gospel. 3. He seeks by his Son. Christ came first to seek "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. xv. 24), and then all lost sheep. Christianity is a search for the lost. III. Tm:Y ABE FOUND. " I will bring them out from the peoples," etc. When God finds a soul, he restores it. He may find it in the wilderness ; if so, he will not leave it there. Tbe shepherd may find his sheep buried in the snow; it may be hard to dig them out; he may even have to carry them home on his shoulders. If he is strong enough he will do this. God not only finds; he restores. 1. Be bringa thB sheep home. Israel is restored to her own land. Souls are restored to their home in God. 2. H• feeds them. They must be hungry in the wilderness, far from the green pastures. So "he feeds them upon the mountains of Israel." '.rhe father kills the fatted calf for his restored son. Christ gives his body as bread of life for his people. 3. He refre:ihe• them. The sheep are led "by the rivers." They thirsted in the wilderness ; now they can drink and live. God gives new life and peace to bis restored children. Christ gives "living water" (John iv. 10). When God finds II lost soul, that soul is eafe- restored, fed, refreshed by his grace. Ver. 17.-The flock divided. When the flock is found it is not all treated alike. The rough, homed cattle are separated from the gentle, helpless sheep. Israel was not to be restored to prosperity as n nation without discrimination. God would judge between the different characters of exiles. Judgment of individuals is here referred to. I. GOD DEALS WITH INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS WITH NATIONS. As there are national sins, so there are national punishments, and also national mercies. 'l'he whole nation must in a measure participate in these things. But over and nbove such matters there is an individual treatmont of separate men and women. No man is safe from trouble by belonging to a prosperous nation. God's returning favour to II community may leave hardened rebellious souls still in the dark. II. GOD JUDGES THE INDIVIDUAL ll!Ell!BERB OF CHURCHES. No man is aare just because he lives in Christendom, neither is any one safe because he is a member of any Church. There are rough, cruel animals in the flock, which are injurious to others, and unworthy of their privileges. In the final judgment the sheep will be separated from the goats (Matt. xxv. 32), and in dealing with Churches the samo method of discrimination must be applied. Indeed, it is worse for one who is not a Christian to be .enrolled in the membership of a Church, than for him to remain outside. His position is false and hypocritical. Moreover, his presence is injurious to the well- being of the worthy members. If the rough, horned animals were abroad in the wilderness, they would do little harm. The mischief arises when they are crowded togother with the sheep in one fold. III. IT 1s THE DUTY OJ!' CHURCHES TO EXERCISE DISOrPLINE. Care should be tnkeu ZZEKIEL-II. I'  210 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [OH. xxxrv.1-31.