Il. THE LAND OF CANAAN WAS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN IBBAEL'8 PAST RENOWll'. This land bad been specially selected by God as the most fitting scene for the training of the Hebrew nation. It was the glory of all lands, the envy of surrounding nations. Compared with the territory north, or east, or south, it was splendidly fertile, while its mountains made it a secure fortress. The diversity of bill and vale gave it peculiar beauty and served to exhilarate the mind. The mountain-peaks drew heavenward men's thoughts. According. to the known law, that the physical features of a country mould unconsciously the character of the inhabitants, Canaan bad been a benefit to the Jewi5h tribes. The land was a contrast to the soft, fertile loam of Egypt. The relaxing climate of Lower Egypt, together with the wondrous facility of obtaining large crops, made the people indolent and effeminate-impatient of arduous exertion. In Palestine a totally different condition of things prevailed. For the most part the operations of husbandry were severe. The sides of the hills required t-0 be built in terraces in order to retain the soil. But climate and soil were congenial for almost every kind of fruit. It was a territory in which it was scarcely possible for one to grow rich; it was a territory eminently suitable for the development of hardy and industrious peasants. Especially the land was singularly dependent upon the periodic rainfall. For, devoid of rain and dew, the olives dropped withered and unripe, the vines were blighted, the young corn was shrivelled. Hence, in an eminent degree, the people hung in constant dependence on the good will of God. He held in his hand the helm of their prosperity. III. Tm: LAND OF CANAAN RAD SHARED IN IBBAEL'B DIBCOJ4ll'ITURE AND BRAD. Frequent invasions on their borders bad made their homes and crops insecure, and, without security for obtaining crops, men will not sow their 6elda. Frequent absence ~lso, to serve on the battle-field, drew away the young men from quiet husbandry. Such losses in such a country soon became serious. A diminution in their produce left them unable and unwilling to pay tribute to their foreign conquerors, and this resulted in fresh invasion. Step by step the land went out of cultivation. The terraces on the hillsides were neglected. The people. forgat God, and God withdrew the light of his favour. The mountain-sloped, denuded of soil, soon became bald, 'bleached rocks. The. high reputation for fertility which the land had enjoyed was gone. Its excellence and glory departed. Sharon was no longer a fold for flocks. Carmel laid 1'Side her bridal garments of fl.ornl. beauty. Jackals and foxes and hyenas infested the land. With the degradation of the elect people came the degradation of the elect land. . IV. THE LAND OF CANAAN WAS ABOUT TO SHARE IN IBBAEL'S NEW PBOSPEBITY, 1. In proportion to the in/amy the land had endured waa to be the fertility again to be enjoyed. The prosperity should not only rise to the former level; it should greatly surpass it. The infallible promise was made directly to every part and branch of the territory. God had a tender regard for every mountain and valley, for every river and plain; each should be enriched and gladdened by his favouring smile. The shame of the heathen should be outbalanced by corresponding reputation end honour. On condition of the faithfulness of the people this revival of prosperity should be enduring. 2. God speaks in language adapted to the age. By any other mode of apeech God could not have been understood; and in such a case he may as well not have spoken. As men were stimulated to great exertions by a sentiment of national je&lousy, so, in accommodation to imperfect men, God speaks of himself as stirred to activity by the fire of jealousy, Such jealousy was only another form of considerate love. It had no respect to himself. It was a jealous regard for the good of Israel, a jealous desire to fulfil bis ancient promises. 3. These pledge, of good were red.eerned in the amturia whichfollowe,d, hrael,'s re1:toration. The land was reclaimed from the ravages of wild beasts. Cities and villages were rebuilt. Many parts of Canaan became fertile as o. garden. Confessedly, we feel a disappointment that the revival of prosperity was not more complete, nor more abiding. But this was due alone to the folly and guilt of the people. In every promise of God there underlies a moral condition. For him to give unmingled blessing to evil-doers would be a.. fresh evil and an encouragement to sin. The actual fortunes of Canaan, in the later centuries, prove the faithfulness of God and the fickleness of the people.-D.
Vers. 16-32.-.A vision of the true golden age. Up to this point God had been 256 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [011. nxvi. l-38.