The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 265

The whole tendenoy of life is towards absorption in things temporal, oonorete, visible- eating and drinking, clothing and building, merry-makino- and amusement&. Even in religion we tend to degenerate to the sensuous, and mus~ and pageantry threaten to supersede worship and meditation. The visible ritual endangers the invisible devotion. All this is idolatry. ry. THE OOMFO_RT OF A LO"". 1:'EAL. T~e intellectual strain of spiritual worship ia not its most exactmg _characteristic. God 1s not only unseen; he is holy, and he can only be approached with clean hands and a pure heart. The religion of Israel was a religion of holiness. This was its most ruarked feature in contrast with heathenism. It was possible to satisfy all the demands of idolatry and yet to remain in sin. N a.y much of the monstrous ritual of idol-worship consisted in the indulgence of licentio~ passions. It was much easier to worship idols than to worship the holy God. A worldly life is compatible with a low moral standard. Hence the temptation to be satisfied with this life. But Christ calls us to the loftiest ideal e.nd to a warfare against sin. We must take up the cross if we would follow him, Vers. 24, 25.-0hrist the King. I. THE KrnosRIP OF CHRIST IS A GLORIOUS FAUi!, In Ezekiel it is only predicted. To Christians it is an accomplished fa.et. Christ has come and has realized the ideal of ancient prophecy, 1. He is of the line of David. He was welcomed as the Son of David (Luke xviii. 38). He gathers up the old traditions of Israel's golden age, and lifts their promises to a higher fulfilment. 2. He is a Shepherd. Aristotle quoted Homer to show that the true king should be a shepherd. Christ rules tenderly and with rega.rd to the welfare of bis people, not like the cruel, selfish, despotic monarchs of heathen empires. 3. He is God's Servant. Therefore (1) it is God's will that we should have Christ as our King, and (2) Christ rnles according to the will of God. IL THE KrnGBRIP OF CHRIST rs A CENTRE OF UNITY. "And they all shall have one Shepherd." Judah and Israel are to have but one King, and are to be united under the reign of this new David. "The envy also of Ephraim shall depart," etc. (Isa.. xi. 13). The supreme adva.ntage of the institution of a monarchy is that it cements the people under it into a consolidated unity. Christ is the Head of the body, e.nd as such he harmonizes the movements of all the limbs. It is strange that Christendom should be broken up into innumerable mutually antagonistic factions. But Christ is not responsible for those divisions. On the contrary, it is just the loes of Christ in the Churches that leads to their severance. III. THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST IS AN INBPIBATION FOB OBEDIENCE. "They shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes to do them." It is more difficult to obey an abstract law than to serve a living person. Ohristia.nity by no means gives ns a dispensation from the obligation of obedience. Our Lord expects his disciples to "exceed the righteousness of the scribes e.nd Pharisees" (Matt. v, 20), and it is possible to do this by his new method. No longer painfully toiling along the dreary road of formal leo-alism, Christians a.re inspired by an enthusiasm for their Master which fires their lov; and zeal to do or suffer on his behalf; and this glorious, loving service of Christ is just the obedience and righteousness transformed into a new e.nd attractive shape. IV. THE KrnGBHIP OF CHRIST IS A FOUNDATION OF SOLID PBOBPEBITY, Under the new Dand the people will live at peace in the possession of their land. The service of Christ introduces all Christiane to a splendid inheritance. The Christian life is not a wild knight-errantry. It is the enjoyment of a happy and peaceful kingdom, When Christ's reign is universal, society will be happy and prosperous. Even now inward peace and rich treasures of Divine grace are the portion or hie people on earth, while they are cheered with the prospect of entering into a wonderful "inheritance of the saints in light" when the present life is over. V. THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST rs To BE ETERNAL, "My Servant David shall be their Prince for ever." The reign of Christ was never so widespread as it ls in this nineteenth century. His sun dawned nearly two thow,and years ago. It is still clim~ing to it1 meridian. Sunset Christ shall never have. The Light or the world is t.lle light of tle ages-'' Jesus Christ, the BD.me yesterday, and to-day, and for ever" (Beb. xiii. 8). OD. xxxvu.1-28.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 273