The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 212

The public health must be his care. Measures for alleviating and uprooting diseaso, must origiuate at the palace. The education of the young, the development of mental, resources, the dissemination of all useful knowledge, form part of the monarch's duty. The sanitation of the people's dwellings is a more royal service than leading battalions. on the battle-field. Whatever increases mutual concord, industry, virtue, wealth n~oral!ty, and _rel_igion demands the ~ing's attention. And what is true respecting ~ kmg 1s true (m us measure) respectmg every meaner magistrate and officer of state. Every man who fills an office of rule is a shepherd, under obligation to safeguard the- interests of the people. Such is the doctrine taught by God. II. Gon's_RECOGNITION OF A RULER'~ SELF-AGGRANDIZEMENT. Every occupant of & throne acts m the stead of God. He 1s a delegate of the Most Hiuh. Therefore it is his duty to imitate the rule of God-to act as God acts. Inas~uch as God cares equally for all the members in his family, for the obscure and the weak, as well as for the rich and the strong, it becomes earthly monarchs to do likewise, Every neglect of the well-being of subjects is noted down by God. The cry of the oppressed toiler8' enters the ears of the Lord of hosts. In God's esteem kingly condescension is a nobler quality than animal coura~e. It is helter every way to enlarge a people's virtue than, to enlarge the boundaries of empire. God notes down carefully .each royal delinquency. III. Goo's MODES OF CHASTISING A RULER'S CONTUMACY. 1. Removal from office. "I will cause them to cease from feeding the flock." Defeat upon the battle-field, dethronement, loss of regal power, early death,-these are among the modes of chastise- ment God employs. So many are the plans for vindicating himself which are avail- able to him, that he seldom employs the same mode of chastisement in two separate instances. What are often deemed common disasters are forthputtings of the chastising; rod. 2• .Arraignment at the bar of God. "I will require my flock at their hand." Kings, as well as private persons, must give a faithful account of life. Kings are 11SU8lly here the objects of envy; but when we include in our survey the eternal future,. envy may well cease. Every place of honour is a place of responsibility. Kings may recognize on earth no superior authority, yet they too are under law, and must in due- time" give an account of their stewardship." The day of audit draws on apace. IV. Goo's Th"TERPOSITION FOB THE NEGLECTED FLOOK.. "I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out." The political and impe1ial events of ABia in Ezekiel's day were dominated by the superior will of Jehovah, and the political events of every empire are under the same jurisdiction. All valuable reward comes from the favour or God ; all real punishment is from his hand. 1. Return /rom exile is promised. They shall dwell in their own land. Every man has naturally an attachment to the land or his fathers, and removal means weakness and loss to the social fabric. Under God's rule this banishment shall be reversed. 2. Prosperity is pledged. " I will feed them in a good pasture." Agriculture shall again prosper under the aigis of righteous government. Security of person an,l property is the vital breath of industry. Fields and gardens shall smile with beauty under the sunshine of Divine favour. 3. Perfect protedion is assured. "I will cause them to lie down." No harsh noise of invasion shall disturb them. They shall be far removed from all disquietude beneath Jehovah's wing. Their munitions of granite are the words of the Omnipotent. The power that 11upports the heavens is their defence. 4. Gracious care of the suffering is announced. This was a new thing in Ezekiel's day. In such stormy times the weak and diseased were counted a burden. This conduct is emphatically God-like. For God takes a special pleasure in conveying sympathy and succour to his suffering ones. "In all their affliction he is afflicted." 5. Here is intimation also of moral recovery for the lost and the gui1ty. '' I will seek that which was lost," He who cares for men's temporal interests cares infinitely more for their soul's health and joy. The gladness that rolls through heaven when a sinner turns is gladness that originates with God. He delights to reclaim a wayward lamb. His patience and tenderness are most of aU conspicuo\lil in dealing with rebels. His greatness hath made many great.-D. Vere. 17-22.-Social oppreSBions. The wisest men detect only some of the_ evils that l,lemish a nation; they are blind to more secret delinquencies. The Almighty lluler cletecls every hidden iniquity, nor will he spare any form of sin. l. ODSEBVE THE CONTAGION OF WICKEDNESS. 'l'hc first part of the chapter reveals on. xx:x1v. 1-31.J THE BOOK m' THE PROPHET EZEKIEL.