The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 289

Thus God dealt with Pharaoh at the Red Sea, and thus he purposes to deal with the unscrupulous monarch of the north. Their disastrous fortunes should leave on all surviving minds the vital lesson that Jehovah is the Supreme King, and that he is worthy of universal homage. I. WIOKED MEN ARE THE DUPES OF SLENDEREST TEMPTATION. This ideal monarch -type of worldly kings-was seduced into battle by the appearance of Israel's conscious security. Here was a nation without an army, without fortresses, without military generals; a nation having no visible means of protection. To evil men this was an irresistible bait. Now men with better dispositions would have argued, "Here is a peaceful nation, bent on the innocent arts of industry, devoid of ambitious aims. They deserve our respect, and {if needful) our protection." But impiety is as injurious to society as it is offensive to God. The slenderest hope of plunder and of territorial aggrandizement incites them to sharpen their weapons for human destruction. To get an empty bubble of fa.me, or gain rule over a few square miles, ten thousand precious lives will be sacrificed. Worse still, God's favour will be forfeited. In this respect man has sunk to a lower level than the beasts of the forest. II. SEEMING SUCCESS OFTEN A SNARE TO COMPLETE OVERTHROW. "Thou sbalt come up against my people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land." It seemed as if success were certain. What other result was possible? Their multitudinous horde seemed omnipo- tent by reason of its very numbers. They could compass every town and village so as to prevent a single escape. This over-confidence was weakness; it seemed to under- rate the opposing force; it served to relax discipline; it blinded them to the fact that invisible forces might be silently at work against them. Thus it happened to the first Napoleon. His brilliant successes flushed him with vain confidence, led him on to destruction. "Cursed is the man who trusteth in man;" " He that trusteth his own heart is a fool." III. HOSTILE INVASION AGAINST ISRAEL IS OLEARLY FORESEEN BY GOD. The know- ledge of an enemy's designs and tactics is half-way towards defeating him. Many military commanders succeed by the secrecy of their projects. If one knows where and when the foe will strike, one can be well prepared. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. In this respect, the servants of God enjoy a great advantage. No design nor project of our foes can escape the eye of our God. The first formation of the evil thought is clearly detected by him, and he keeps us well informed of our adversaries' schemes. In the case of Gog, the prophets of Jehovah had repeatedly foretold the formidable invasion; and, although Israel seemed unprepared for the assault, Israel's Defender was well equipped for the occasion. The issue was secured for Israel's glory. TV. Gon's ENEMIES A.RE OFTEN DEFEATED BY INTERNEOINE STRIFE. A confederacy cemented by wickedness is never durable. It will not bear any strain of trial. Men who figbt for spoil soon discover that their interests and their leaders' interests are distinct and separate things. Sin has no principle of cohesion. In many cases an army has defeated itseH by internal discord. Each man's sword has been turned upon his comrade. So God here announces that he will dissolve their base alliance. " Every man's sword shall be against his brother." V. Gon's ARMY IB OOMPOBED OF UNEXPEOTED FORCES. In ancient times God hRs employed winds, storms, hail, fire, to defeat the enemies of Israel. The sea was God's triumphant army against Pharaoh. He sent the hornet to drive out the Canaanite. Locusts have been once a.ad a.gain employed as his invading regiment. Flakes of snow have done his destructive work. Pestilence has often served as his light brigade. Hailstones have been his irresistible artillery. He has turned back an army by the spectre of its own superstitious fears. Fire overthrew the cities of the plain. 'l'he eruption of Vesuvfos did a. deadly work. Every force in na.turll is a servant of the living God, and in a moment can be made a soldier, armed to the teeth. Men are slowly diBcovering that God's forces stored in nature are mightier than the brawn of the human arm, and a.re depending more upon dynamite and gun-cotton than upon human strength and courage. So says God, "I will rain upon him, and upon his bands . an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone." VI. 'fHE TnIUMPH rs WITII Gon. Mere overthrow of the enemy is not the triumph that l!&tisfi.es God. His aim is to bring light and conviction to men's mind~to renew and elevate men's beet nature. "I will plead against him." By means of this defensive cn. xxxvm. 1-23.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 299