The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 238

question. Waiving the point as to whether the past history of our race has been cbare.cterized by progress or by a process of degeneration, we have still to ask whether the future may not be better than anything that bas been experienced in the past. Now, it is the distinct teaching of the Bible that it will be so. "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." While men turn back wistfully to the lost Eden, God promises a better heaven. We do not need to discuss the idea of a Paradise regained, for we have the more glowing picture of the heavenly Jerusalem. Even if we grant the worst that has been said of man's continuous decline• .the New Testament points to an arrest of this dreadful movement, to a redemption and more than a restoration, to a perfection of humanity never attained in the past. II. T.HE BETTER FUTURE OF THE Cmraos. The Church, which has the seed of Divine life in her, should be continually growing in grace. While like the mustard tree she enlarges her size, she sho!.ild also, like the rising temple, become ever more radiant with the beauty of holiness. Perhaps there is no sadder story than that of the history of the Church. No doubt there have been ages of glorious zeal and devotion; no ooubt God has been continuously educating his people. But there have been awful times of relapse. We think we can see progress in our own day-a wiser thought, a larger charity, a more practical activity in the service of man. But we are far indeed from realizing Christ's great ideal. That ideal, however, is the picture of the future, and the pattern after which we are to toil with the utmost hopefulness. The New Testament promises a glorious future to the people of God (Eph. ii. 21). III. THE BETTER FUTURE OF THE souL. In our melancholy moods we yearn after the old sweet days of childhood-their innocence, their simplicity, their joyousness. We forget their limitations, their fears, their infantine distresses. But perhaps we have fallen far from those early days. Then we knew nothing of the world's dreadful sin. Now we must confess that we have not kept ourselves unspotted. And with the soul's fall has come the soul's sorrow, and many disappointments and losses have made the day which dawned in golden sunshine overcast with gloomy clouds. Still, we have not reached the end. After bathing in the Jordan, Naaman's leprous flesh became healthy .as that of a little child. The leprous soul may be cleansed, the worn-out life renewed. "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature" (2 Cor. v. 17). Then the future is full of hope. 'l'he victorious Christian, with all hie scars, and even with his memory of shameful unfaithfulness, stands higher than the unfallen because untried .child. God has a blessed future in the heavenly inheritance rese"ed for the most weary souls. The secret of this happy prospect ie in the power and grace of God. It is he who will do better for his people than at the beginning. Vers. 21-24.-God saving for his own Name's sake. L A PRINCIPLE OF DIVINE AOTION. We are here admitted to the secret council-chamber of heaven. The inner motive of God's activity is revealed to us. He shows on what grounds he proceeds in redeeming mnn. Man is redeemed for the sake of God's Name, e.nd not on account of any human deserts and claims. 1. God's faithfulness. A person's good name is associated with his keeping his word. If e. man has put hie name to a document, he roust not ignore its stipulations. A just person will swear to his own hurt and not change. N_ow, God is the type and pattern of all truth and fidelity. His eternal constancy hee at the root of the order of the universe. What be has promised he will do, because he _is faithful. But he has promised redemption (e.g. eh. xxxiv. 22-31). Therefore he will redeem his people, that he may redeem hie word. Though it costs the sacrifice of his Son, nothing shall be wanting to a faithful execution of his promise. 2. God's character. The name is supposed to express the nature. God is named after what he is. Now, God's nature is essentially good and gracious. With the New Testament before us, we know that God's best name is Love (1 John iv. 8). Jesus Christ has taught us to concentrate our thou6hts of God on his Fatherhood. God will act according to his Name, i.e. according to his nature. Love must characterize his conduct, and whatever he does he will do it "like as a father." His fatherly character will lead him to redeem and save, irrespective of desert, for sheer love and pity. 3. God's glory. To get a name is to receive glory. When Christ is glorified he is said to receive" a Name which is above every name" (Phil. ii. 9). God's Ne.me is his glory. Now, God is glorified in many ways, but in none so highly aa in his saving the lost. 246 THE BOOK OI' THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [en. xxxvr. l-3S.