HOMILIES BY VARIOUB AUTHORS. Vers. 5, 6.-" Lex .talionis." Ezekiel returns to his prophecy regarding the inha- bitants of Mount Se1r. These neighbours of the Israelites were animated by hostility to God's people which was of a peculiarly bitter character. The prophet's mind was deeply affected and sorely pained by the language and the actions of these enemies of Israel. This probably accounts for his reverting to his inspired threats of adversity and eTen destruction about to overtake these bitter and blasphemous foes of Israel and of Israel's God. L THE CHARGE BROUGHT AGAINST THE PEOPLE OP MOUNT SEIB. 1. The ojffflr.e. They were guilty of violence against Israel and inexcusable bloodshed. A predatory and warlike race, they had turned their arms against their neighbours, instead of allowing them t.o dwell in security. 2. The m-0tive. This was malice, mnlignity. A perpetual, unappeasable enmity actuated those of Mount Beir in their repeated incursions into the territory of the Israelites, and the desolation of the land and the destruction of life laid to their charge. Other more excusable motives accounted for the hostilities waged by other peoples; against Mount Seir the charge is brought of acting upon the meanest and basest of motives. 3. The opportunity. This was the time of Israel's calamity and weakness. 'l'hey took advantage of the circumstances of their neighbours, and attacked them at a conjuncture when they were powerless to defend themselves. II. THE RETBIBUTIOl!T WITH WHICH THE PEOPLE OP MOUNT 8Em WEBE TBBEATENED, 1. The .Author of this retribution was none other than the Lord God himself. He ruleth among the nations; "let not the rebellious exalt themselves." His justice ia unquestionable and his power is irresistible. "He is terrible in his doinga towards the children of men." 2. The nature of it. It is foretold that the cities shall be laid waste and that the land shall be desolate, that the blood of the inhabitants of Mount Seir sball be shed. " I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee." 8. The law of it. Observe that the judgment and penalty here foretold is not simply retributive; it is of the nature of retaliation. The lez talioni& prescribed "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," etc. The punishment matched the offence. Such a correspondence is noticeable between Scir's treatment of Israel and Jehovah'& treatment of Seir. They had shed blood, and in recompense their blood should be sheci. This is not t.o be regarded as private, personal revenge, which is forbidden t.o man, and could never be practised by a holy God. It is a public measure, a judicial act, a proceeding warranted by justice, and intended to produce a deep and wholesome impression upon all who should witness it. It certainly marks the heino11Sness of sin in the view of the righteous Ruler, and it exemplifies the inevitable and universal action of the retributive government of the God of nations.-T. Vere. 11-15.-The Lor<l:a identification of himMJ,Jwith Israel. A careless reader might possibly consider that a passage like this exemplifies prophetic partiality; that -0u. xxxv.1-15.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 233
Ezekiel, because himself a Jew by birth and by sentiment, was disposed to repre- 11ent the Supreme as upon his side and against his countrymen's enemies; that the view given of the Eternal is of a Ruler whose government is distinguished by favouritism. But further consideration will show that this is not the case. The cause of Israel was the cause of monotheism in religion, of spirituality in worship, and of l)Urity and righteousness in morals. It is true that the Hebrew people did not actually, as a matter of fact, attain the standard which as a nation they adopted; and for this Te&son their leaders and thinkers were at this very time enduring the purifying humiliation of the Captivity. But the highest interest and the fairest prospects ol mankind were bound up with the preservation of Israel as God's witness concerning himself to the world, and as God's preparation for the advent of the Messiah. L TBR INIQUITOUS CONDUCT OF SEm. They were guilty: 1. Of anger and enmity against Israel. 2. Of evil speech, of blasphemy, against Israel. 3. Of rejoicing over the sorrows, calamities, and desolations of Israel. Il. THE LoBD'B IDENTIFICATION OF HIMSELF WITH !SBA.EL IN TJIE WRONG THEY t!USTAINED .A.T THE HAND OF SErn. The fact is that Israel was his people, and he. Jehovah, was Israel's God. This is said with the recollection that Israel had trans- gressed his Law, rebelled against'.his authority, despised the privileges he had bestowed; with the recollection that their Ood had chastened them sorely, and at this very time was causing them to pass through the furnace of affliction. All this does not interfere with our belief of the close identification between the Lord and the sons of Jacob. It was not for their goodness, bnt for his purposes, that they were chosen. They were a consecrated nation, i.e. a nation set apart to fulfil a deliberate intention of the most high and holy God. Therefore, in a special manner, the Lord took the part of Israel, resented the wrongs done to them, the indignities put upon them, and the blas- phemies uttered concerning them. Therefore the Lord avenged them of their adver- saries. Other nations might ,be destroyed, but it did not consist with God's purposes that Israel should perish. He was against those who were against his people. IIL THE LoRD's AVENGING OF ISRAEL'S WRONGS AS DONE TO HIMSELF. 1. He beard with displeasure &ll the evil words uttered against those whom he had set apart for himself. 2. He judged with a righteous and severe judgment all who injured his eervants. 3. For Mount Seir, as a flagrant offender, was reserved an especial punish- ment: "When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate." Let it be observed that this was a reversal of what had formerly taken place; for when Israel was deso- lated, Mount Seir had rejoiced.-T.