The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 223

need not be so strictly righteous if we are Christians, as we should need to be ii we were not. Christ expects a higher righteousness than that of the Law (Matt. v. 20). But when we perceive that our sin ie our utter undoing, we are prepared to welcom, Christ ns our Saviour from this chiefly. v. IT I8 WELL '1'0 CONSIDER THE END OJ!' INIQUITY. II· has not yet arrived. All is now calm and apparently prosperous. We may say that there is time enoogh t.o consider the evil day. But the end may come before we expect it. Its slow and gradual approach leads to our failing to perceive how near it may be. Then the nearer it is the more difficult is it for us to draw back. The descent becomes more steep as it approaches the precipice; the rapids grow swifter as they near the falls; the poison more effectually pervades the system as death comes on. The longer we postpone repentance, the harder it is to repent. But apart from such thoughts of warning, sin that leads to so awful an issue should be accounted hateful in itself. Its present vile character is revealed by its end. With such fruit the plant must be odious. Ver. 10.-.A. miscalculation. Edom had taken for granted that she, in conjunction with the allied nations, no doubt, would be able to seize the territories of Israel and Judah. She had calculated her resources and matched her strength against those of her foes. But she had forgotton one essential element in the reckoning-she had failed to take any account of the presence of God. This was a fatal blunder, and it upset the whole scheme. It is very common for people to discUBs their prospects with the same mistake in their minds. Worldly reasoning that ignores God is not only irreli~ous; it is false and foolish. Irreligious thought is bad logic. L A SELFISH GBEED. Edom covets the fair and fruitful land of Israel. This is the .common spirit of national plunder. It is the spirit of the veiled warfare of commerce. Men and nations hunger after their neighbours' property. All selfish persons are robbers at heart, though many are restrained by prudeutial considerations from ce.rry- ing out their evil desires. Now, the prevalence of this selfish greed gives a very ugly look to the world, and suggests the thought that the weak must be the prey of the strong. It is only when we c~n look above the scramble for wealth that we can discern the play of higher influences on man's history and destiny. II. A NA.BROW VIEW. Edom sees the weakness of Israel clearly enough; and ehe makes no mistake in estimating the strength of herself and her allies. But she con- fines her view to these local and earthly facts. Here is the limitation of all worldliness. .Men of the world are keen and clear-headed. '!'hey see distinctly their points of advantage, and seize them quickly. But their gaze is confined to earthly things, Thus worldliness is essentially low and narrow. It has a sharp vision, but it is very short-sighted. There are more things in heaven and earth than a.re dreamed of in its philosophy. Ill. A DIVINE li'AOT. "The Lord was there." Thie wae a fact, although Edom knew nothing of it, just as God was at Bethel before Jacob recognized his presence. 1. God is in human affairs. It is not simply asserted that God interfered from 11 .distance. He was present. Palestine was a God-haunted land. The difference between Israel and Edom was not merely racial or geographical. It was chiefly this- that God manifested his presence to the one people as he did not to the other. 2. God -takes an active part in the world. God was not merely in Palestine as a spectator. He was present to act. Edom's error wae in not recognizing a real influence. It is like that of the naturalist who dissects a brain to discover the secret of thought, but takes no account of the mind that once inhabited the brain. God is now present actively in the world, not in Palestine especially, but (1) in Christendom when men .acknowledge him and make themeel ves open to his influence; and also (2) among all men in his great providential government. IV. A NEEDED COBBECTION. The Divine element must be introduced if the mis- .calculation is to he corrected. This will make a surprising difference to Edom'e reckon- ing. So it will in individual affairs. The oppressing Pharaoh did not reckon on God's power to save Israel; the rich fool counted up his wealth, but forgot that his life was -in God's hand (Luke xii. 16-21). Life and death are more dependent on heavenly .influences than most men suppose. We need a new order of reasoning, a fresh 230 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [du. :xx.xv. 1-16'.