The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 247

to Israel; and then, afterwards, it is affirmed that, for this blessing, God requires that bis people should make supplication to him. The fact is that unless there be a basis for prayer in the explicit a~surances of G-o<l., although it may be a natural and instinc- tive, it can hardly be a reasonable, exercise. I. TRE PROMISES OF Gon. ARE AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO TRE PRAYERS OF Goo'a prorLE. The fact that explicit promises have been given is a fact familiar to every reader of Scripture. These promises are numerous and repeated. They have respect to the varied wants of men, and accordingly are characterized by a wonderful and very precious variety. Blessings so valuable a.nd so desirable may well be sought with ,earnestness and importunity. II. THE PRAYERS OF Gon's PEOPLE ARE THE CONDITION OF THE OBTAINING OF Gon's BLESSING. This affirmation rests upon the plain declarations of God's Word. .. , Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find." It rests also upon reason, The best gifts of God a.re of such a. nature that they cannot be bestowed irrespectively of the moral condition, the spiritual attitude of the recipient. - They are not material, they are not conferred as by mechanical, physical law. God opens the heart that it may receive the benefits he waits to bestow. III. THE PRAYERS OF Goo's PEOPLE ABE THE OCCASION-OF Gon's CARRYING OUT HIS PU1lPOSES OF MERCY. We have looked at the matter from the human side; but it must be regarded also from the Divine side. The All-wise himself propounds his -0wn terms; he carries out hie intentions of mercy in the way that seems good to him. "For this moreover will I be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them." For reasons which are only very partially within our powers of comprehension. this is the ordinance, the arrangement of Jehovah himself. We.may be content to under- stand that which is within our range, to trace the bearing of prayer upon our religious interests, and to learn from experience its reasona.ble11ess -as respects ourselves. And we must, in childlike faith, accept upon God's authority what is beyond our limited powers with any completeness to comprehend. IV. THE PRAYERS OF Gon's PEOPLE ABE REQUIRED 'A.ND COHMANDED- BY Bn{. WHO IS THE GrVEB OF THE PBO)[ISES. With one hand our Father in heaven offers the gifts; with the other hand he delivers to his Church his written and express command. •• Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full;" "Pray without ceasing·;" 11 If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more .shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him I"-T. Vera. 1-15.-The material creation ,haring in the fortunes of men. Man. has a many-sided nature. He is linked with the past history of angels and with the past history of the entire universe, His interests and fortunes are interwoven with the material creation and with the dynamic forces of nature. He has an interest in heaven and in hell. The intelligences of the universe are interested in him, and he is interested in them. I. TIIE LAl<-0 OF CANA.Al!! IS HONOURED BY A DIVINE COMMUNICATION. It· is a reasonable conclusion that the ma.in interest God felt in the mountains and hills of Palestine arose from their use as a home and storehouse for his ·people. Yet it is proper that we should regard God as fi11ding a pleasure in the hills and valleys on ;8CCOunt of their native beauty. They were the workmanship of his hand, and there is every reason why he should find pleasure in his creations. The long, past history of their internal structure was open to his eye, and the beauty of their clothing was -to him a delight. But why should he despatch to these unco11scious mountains a prophetic messenger? Without doubt, this was intended as a rebuke to the people who had grievously disregarded his messages. It was as if he said indirectly to the nation, "It is v.ain to speak longer to your stony ears. I turn a.way in sorrow, and .address my message to the unconscious earth. The very mountains will give me better audience than you have done. If I speak to the dew, it will obey, If I speak to the frairra,nt soil, it will yield its fruit. If I speak to the mountains, they will put on verdure and beauty. But, a.lasl if I speak to the intelligent sons of Jacob, they turn deaf ~are and rebellious wills to my gracious voice I O earth, earth, earth, hear i~e :word 01 the Lord I" By such methods of rebuke God endeavours to bring con~ v1ct1on hoIQ.B to the consciences of the people. <llI. xxxv1. 1-38.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 255