The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 299

Il, Goo HAS MEANS FOR SPREADING HIS GLORY AMONG THE HEATHEN, 1, In jiidgments. 'l'his seems to be the method suggested in the chapter now under con- sideration. The restoration of Israel and the accompanying overthrow of her enemies will strike disruRy into the host of the enemy, and so impress them with the might and majesty of the true God. 'l'his is a fearful process in the eyes of the heathen, and yet it is educational, and may help to lead them out of superstition and foolish opposi- tion to wiser ways. God arrests the careless now by his judgments. 2. In the gospel. ·when the gospel is preached to the heathen God's glory is revealed among them- surely the happier method of making it known. 'l'his was already foreshadowed in Old Testament times (Isa. Iii. 15). It was in part accomplished by the labours of St. Paul, Kow, we must ever bear in mind that this is God's work. Though human aaenta preach the gospel, God himself shows forth his glory in his truth. He too aw:kens the souls of the hearers by his Spirit. .All perception of the glory of God comes from his own revelation of himself. III. CHRISTI.ANS SHOULD TAKE PART IN SPREADING GoD'S GLORY A.JdONG THE HEATHEN. I'.' e sorneLimes hear missionary enterprises described as quixotic schemes of amiable fanatics, and so-called practical people tell us that we hnd much better spend our money and our energies in endeavouring to better the condition of the poor of our own cities. "These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matt. xxiii. 23). lt is Christ's command that his gospel should be preached to all people, and whether our wisdom commend the command or not, if we are true Christians it is our plain duty to render unquestioning obedience (Matt. xxviii. 19). But the heathen need the knowledge of the truth of Ohrist. Experience proves that the most ignorant and the most cultivated can both receive it and profit by it. There is no more practical work than that of wise labour in the missionary field. It is the bounden duty of all Christians to support it. The Church that has no missionary spirit is not Christian, for it has not the Spirit of Christ. Vers. 23, 24.-Sin and its consequences, I. THE DREADFUL EVIL OF BIN, Pain is a mystery, but sin is a darker mystery. We instinctively shrink from death as the last dread enemy, but death is not so great a foe as sin. We must go to the Bible for a reveiation of sin in its extent and its depth. The Greeks were acute thinkers on most sub~ects connected with human experience, but they were singularly obtuse to moral distinctions. In the Bible we see a true mirror held up to the world's sin. There we discover that events, which the secular historians_ would ascribe to political causes, have moral causes behind them. Thus"the Captivity would seem to the eye of ordinary observers to be a natural result of the fanatical patriotism of a little mountain kingdom -the Montenegro of antiquity-when opposed to the irresistible march of a great conqnerin"' empire. But more lay behind. The corruption of the Jews made them an easy p;ey to their enemy, and their sin deprived tbem of the providential protection of God. This sin is seen in four aspects. 1. In relatim to righteousness. It is iniquity. It is falling short of what is right, an unjust treatment of life, a living lie, The sinner is unequal. He does not truly balance his life. His whole being is corrupted and distorted. 2. In relation to God. It is a trespass against him. The prodigal confebses that he has sinned against Heaven, as well as in his father's sight (Luke xv. 21). David even describes the murder of Uriah as a sin against God only, so utterly does the transgression of God's Law swallow up all other considerations (Ps. lL 4). Whenever we sin we directly rebel against our Father, Sin always has this ugly personal feature. 3. In relation to pwrity. Uncleanness. 4, In relation to law. Transgression. II. THE DISMAL CONSEQUENCES OF SIN, 1. The loBS of the vision of God, "There- fore hid I my face from them." This is the first consequence of sin. It is reaped immediately the soul falls away from God. Without holiness it is impossible to see him (Matt: v. 8). To some it may seem a light penalty. Like Adam and Eve, they may even try to bide themselves from God. But the attempt is vain, because, though we may easily Jose sight of God, he never ceases to behold us. Moreover, though we may not be aware of our loss, it is not the less great. But to the sensitive soul this spiritual consequence of sin is most bitter to endure. Such a one will besctch God uot to hide his countena,nce, ancl will cry," 'rake not thy liQly Spirit olI. XXXIL 1-29.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 30!)