from me" (Pe. li. 11). All joy and hope vanish from the Christian life when the sweet vision of God is darkened by sin, 2. Fearful ezternal ruin. "And gave them intQ the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword." If men do not care for the present spiritual consequences of sin, other more easily recognized consequences will follow. The most blunt and hardened soul can be made to quake under the wrath of God. In conclusion, observe that all this was to be known to the heathen, (1) that they might not boast themselves as though the result were directly due to their prowess ; (2) that they might not despise God as though his designs were frustrated; (3) that they might take warning. God warns us by the history of the past punishment of sin. But he also points out a way of escape in Jesus Christ, who came to save his people from their sins. Vera. 25--29,-The glorious restoration. I. THE PEOPLE wno ENJOY IT. 1. The people of God. This is promised for the Jews, the ancient people of God. God does not forget his people in their captivity any more than he forgot them in their Egyptian bondage. Now, we know that God regards the whole human race as one family (Acts xvii. 26). Though many reject him and many know him not, he cares for all. As all belong by right to their heavenly Father, so the perfect restoration in Christ is now offered to all men. 2. ,Sinners. This gracious promise is not only for the unfortunate -like the Hebrews in Egypt; it is for the guilty who were driven into captivity on account of their own wickedness. This fact shows (1) the grace of God, who is willing to be reconciled to his worst foes, to pardon. hie rebel subjects, to receive back his lost and disgraced children; and (2) the hope of the world. The peculiarity of the mission of Christ was that he came to seek and to save that which was lost. The most degraded may hope to share in the glorious restoration of Israel if they will rightly seek to have their part in it. II. THE MEANS BY WHIOH IT IS BROUGHT .ABOUT. 1. Gocl's saving work. God brought back the captivity of Israel. If Nebuchadnezzar was his servant for punish- ment, Cyrus was even his "Messiah" for restoration (Isa. xiv. 1). The great restorn- tion of souls is God's work. He does not wait for men to regenerate their own characters, and then consent to give them a welcome home. He himself effects the regeneration. It was God's thought to eend his Son to be the Saviour of the world. This Divine action. springs (1) from Gou's mercy; (2) from his jealousy for his holy Name. God is most glorified in saving his people. Righteousness is most honoured not by the punishment of sin, but by the cure of it. 2. On condition of confession. "And they shall take upon them their shame, and all their trespass which they have committed against me." The restored Jews will own the guilt of the sin that drove them into captivity. Thus the chastisement will produce its bitter but wholesome fruit. God only forgives sin on condition of man's confession (1 John i. 9). When the penitent takes the shame of his sin God removes tho guilt of it. III. Tm: BLESSINGS WHIOH IT BRINGS. 1. Return to the old home and its privi1eges. The Jews came back to Palestine from their captivity. Redeemed man is restored to the true human inheritance which he has lost by sin. Science, o.rt, litero.ture, social and domestic life, etc., will be enjoyed at their best when men are regenerated in heart. The earth will never yield her choicest increase until the people of God inherit it. But with these secular advantages, and far above them, is restoration to the spiritual home -to the kingdom of heaven here, to the glory of heaven hereafter. 2. Peace and security. "When they dwell safely in their land, and none make them afraid." This suggests a striking contrast to the former position, when Israel was ho.rnssed by enemies on every side-not the least being those of their own household in the long feud between the northern and the southern kingdoms. Tho.t feud was now ended for ever, Still, the subsequent time was scarcely one of solid security. We must look to the spiritual restoration for the perfect accomplishment of the happy vision. The redeemed people of God enjoy peace and safety. Christ said, "My pence I give unto you" (John xiv. 27). 3. Closer commU11ion with God. Then thtiy shall know God better than before, with the knowledge of experience, and enjoy the never-failing light of his countenance. This is the Christian's highest privilege.
Ver. 29.-The restored vision of God. This is o. great, we may say the supreme and 310 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [OH. xxnx. 1-29