The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 271

aspirations are dead. 'l'L.e hope of immortality is dead. Departing from God, men become "earthly, sensual, devilish." The captivity of the grave aptly symbolizes their estate. The high design of their being is frustrated. Severance from God is followed by the rupture of social ties, mutual discords, and mutual hate. II. IenAEL's PROSPECT OF NEW 0BG.A.NIZATION. The prospect is due solely to the interposition of God. He proposes a tremendous question to his servaot, "Can these bones live?" Devoutly the prophet refers the question back to God. By proposing; difficult questions to his servants, God stimulates them to reflection, concentrates their attention upon salient points, teaches them a modest estimate of their powers. 1. In elevating mankind there is need for the prophefa mission. As the greatest enemy of mankind is man, so man can be a real friend and helper to his race. 'l'he world is deeply indebted to its teachers. All the ages are indebted to Moses, to Solon, to Socrates, and to St. Paul. The man who can lay his finger upon a pla.,aue-spot and announce a remedy, the man who can lead a nation up to a higher level of life, is a benefactor to the race. Most of all, the man who can reveal to us God, who can unveil to us his character, his designs concerning us, our duty to him, he is of all men the most influential, the most kingly. 2. No real improvement in human nature can be achieved without God's power. Although the man of God was charged to prophesy, his message simply declared what God was about to do. "I will lay sinews upon you; I will bring up flesh upon you; I will cover you with skin," saith the Lord God. No amelioration is abiding that does not come from God. All political organization that is to produce benefit to a nation must be full of God. Every step in the process of moral elevation must have God in it. We can only act successfully while we act in the line of his Law, and have all the channels we create filled with a Divine force. God deigns to take a practical interest in the minutest affairs of men. III. Ono.A.NIZATION IS llil'OTENT WITHOUT Lll!'E. 'l'o the prophet's ecstatic vision the human organism was now complete. Every limb and member was articulated-was in its allotted place. But the great want was yet unmet, The highest endowment waH lacking. Everything waited, in silent yearning, for life. Then the prophet is summonetl to another duty. Having spoken to men, he must speak to God. He must invoke the vite.l breath of Heaven. For this great undertaking there is required all the fulness and force of the Divine Spirit. "Oome from all quarters, 0 breath of life I" "Wintl of the north, come and rouse men from their long slumber 1 Wind of the east, come and brace men's energies for new exertions. Wind of the west, come and bring fertilizing showers, that shall penetrate and soften the heart 1 Wind of the south, come, quicken the plants of grace and ripen the fruits of piety I" If only God be with UH, the most difficult undertaking will succeed. If God did, at the first, create human nature out of nothing, the work of reconstruction cannot be more difficult. To God nothing is impossible. Omnipotence covert1 every task. IV. A 11.A.GNIFIOENT BEBULT, The prophet was not disobedient to the heavenly voice. As the eoho responds to the speaker, so promptly did Divine influence o.ttend the prophetic word. Under the direction and inspiration of God, hulllo.n lo.bour o.nd prayer can produce prodigious effects. The scenes of death become scenes of life. A no.tion rises up as if out of its grave, By the manifested power of God's grace the highest personal life appears; the Church's life is created ; national life is purged o.nd elevo.ted ; o.nd the resurrection to an imperishable life is assured. If God be on our side, no height of excellence is inaccesei ble; and if he has pledged his word, he will perform it in no stinted fashion. To have real childlike faith in God's word and in God's faithfulness brings the highest joy, To be In actual touch with God trans- figures character and enriches human life. Heaven is begun on earth if we know God by personal and familiar experience. A grand climax of blessing is involved in the words, "Then shall ye know that I the Lord ho.ve spoken it, and performed it."-D. Vere. 15-28.-Union essential to higheat prosperity. It is clear that this series of prophecies had, at least, a twofold meaning. These predictions pointed to beneficial changes near, visible, temporal; they pointed also to grander events moro distant, more spiritual. The fulfilment of prophecy was also another prophecy. 'l'ho imme- dil\te performance of God's promise was a type of larger performance. As each harvest ii; o. prophecy of the next, BO one fulfilment of God'11 covenant symbolizes a follilmeut. 2SO THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [011. xxxvu. 1-28,