The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 272

on a 111,rger and nobler scale. Time is a picture of eternity. What was really good in the past shall reappear in the future. Israel's passage through the Red Sea was a symbol of later deliverances. The royal life of David shall be reproduced. As the secret principle of D1tvid's power and David's prosperity was that he ruled by a spirit of love, which knit the people in unity; so David shall be the emblem of Messiah's person, and Messiah's gentle sway. 'l'he passage now under consideration refuses to be confined within a local application; it embraces the renovated race and the immortal King. '.!'o make ~his announcement the more impressive, it was attended by a. signifi- cant action. It 1s a prophecy both spoken and acted. It was an ancient custom prevalent still in the East, to write on flat sticks, and these were sometimes tied togethe: after the simplest fashion of a book. Discord and division had been the first step in Israel's retrogression and fall. Internal strife prepared the way for invasion and defeat. Now, reunion is a necessary step to the fulfilment of the Divine promise-the first step towards a new national life. I. REAL UNION CAN ONLY BE EFFECTED BY INWARD RENOVATION. Hence the gracious promise is repeated, "I will save them out of their dwelling-places wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them." Thls truth must be repeated times without number. So long as rebellion against God occupies the heart, so long there will be strife and hatred between man and man. Infidelity has always been hostile to society. But as men get nearer to God as their Centre, the circumference diminishes, and they get nearer to each other. The uprooting of selfishness from the human heart is the removal of discord and war. If the fountain be made pure, pure will be the streams. Sin separates. Piety unites. After the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost, men were fused in brotherhood, and did not even count their goods their own. New-felt love swallowed up every other sentiment. "They had all things common." II. UNION A.MONG THE PEOPLE JS CEMENTED BY ALLEGIAN0E TO ONE KING. "David my servant shall be King over them, and they all shall have one Shepherd." The rivalry of opposing kings in Rehoboam's day had been the root of endless mischief. "Like king, like people." Thls new Monarch has such incomparable claims that a rival is out of the question. His august worth will win from his subjects intense loyalty and love ; and in proportion to their intense love for him there will develop attachment to each other. In his pure presence mutual suspicion and distrust hide ·away abashed. It is a part of his royal mission to foster all right sympathies. To be like their King is the high ambition of each. To serve and please their King is the common purpose of every true Israelite. To love one another is but another form of loving him. ill. UNION IB FOSTERED BY DOING Gon's WILL, "They shall also walk in my judg- ments, and observe my statutes." They that walk in the same road usually become good companions. And these new subjects of Messiah delight in these paths. They speak to each other of their joy. They delight to encourage each other to surmount such obstacles as appear, and to press on in the royal way. Their understandings being divinely illumined, they see such excellence in God's will that their wills become con- formed to his. So, in becoming conformed to God's will, they become like each other. Among the children a common likeness appears. Fellow-soldiers on the same battle- field become fast friends. Common service and exposure to common dangers form a strong bond of union. In serving God we also serve one another. IV. UNION SECURES Goo's NEARER PREBEN0E, "I will set my sanctuo.ry in the midst of them for evermore." If men feel that it is" good for brethren to dwell together in UDity," God feels it still more to be both "good and pleasant." Our God is a God of order. Amid scenes of discord he will not abide. If men prefer his foe-the fomenter of hatreds-he will depart. But where true unity of spirit reigns among men God will nearer come, will take up his abode, will make an everlasting covenant with them; his sanctuary is the sign of union and the security for union. 'l.'hen the channel is open for the highest good to desc_end. God will become, in every practical respect, their God. His light shall be their light, his strength shall be their strength, his purity shall become their purity, hie joy shall become theirs. God's fulness shall replenish their ernplinese. V. UNION IN THE TnUE ISRAEL SHALL PRODUCE A SALUTAnY EFFE0T UPON THB wonLn. " The heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel." Here is the germ of the truth which was fully expanded in the intercessory prayer of Christ, Oit. xxxvn.1-28.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET :gzEKIEL. 281