The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 306

VI. Gon'e TERRITORY BHALL BE PURIFIED. "That they may cleanse the land." Whatever measures are required to purge God's universe from sin, these measures shall, sooner or later, be employed. Our God has transcendent patience with men; but no advantage can accrue to an undue prolonging of probation. When measures of restora- tion to virtue have been well tried, then the earth shall be swept of its impurities with the besom of death. The God of holiness will not allow his hoase to be defiled for ever. The evil of sin shall cease. God shall be "all in a.II." The final triumph of God is certain. As surely as this globe was created this globe shall be purified. The same voice that said, "Let there be light," has said also, "There shall be no more death." To the eye of the inspired prophet this grand terminus of evil was visible. "It is done I saith the Lord God ; " and God's promise is e.s sure e.s its perform- ance.-D. Vers. 21-29.-God's revelation of himself a fount of blessing. Ignorance of God and strength of animal appetite are the two primal founts of ungodliness. Animal appetite is, in order of time, the first source of vice; but e.s the understanding opens to receive knowledge, this source of evil may be checked. To this end God deigns to make himself known. A clear vision of God is a strong antidote to evil propensity. Faith in God is the great regenerative principle. Therefore, through the procession of the ages, God he.s been revealing his qualities and excellences to our race. From this passage we lea.m- l. 'fHAT Gon REVEALS HlllSELF AB THE ACTIVE RULER IN HUMAN AFFAIRS. Such men in Chaldea as had faith in their idols would attribute the prosperity of their king- dom and their success in war to the power of their deities. Others, and probably the larger portion, would conclude that military fortunes were matters of chance, and that the gods took little, if any, interest in the affairs of men. Human industry, sagacity, and courage,-these seemed then, as now, the ma.in factors in success. The general impression we.s that the gods lived in remote serenity, sublimely indifferent to the needs and strifes of men. Unbelief, violence, and stoicism followed. Our God took pa.ins to dispel this mistake. The living God takes a Fatherly interest in every man- in his persona.I, domestic, and national concerns. Not a hair of his head can be touched without the cognizance of God. He administers joy and sorrow, success and disap- pointment, with judicious ea.re. The God of heaven manifests a friendly activity in all human affairs, as great as if this globe were the sole object of his care, "In all our afflictions he is afflicted." II. THAT Goo REVEALB HIMSELF AB THE REAL FoUNT OP ALL BLESSING. It was God's endeavour to make it clear to the world that Israel's prosperity was Jehovah's gift; that Israel's exile was the effect of J ehovah's anger. When Israel escaped from Egyptian bondage, plainly it was by the interposition of Jehovah. Their successful march through the desert was due to the leadership of God. Their triumphal march through Canaan was widely attributed to the personal power of Jehovah. As often as they loyally served him he smiled upon their fields and gave them prolific hlll"vests, As often as they forsook him disaster befell them. If they asked his guidance he directed them in the choice of a King. From his hand they had personal liberty, just laws, beneficent government, agricultural plenty, national security, end the joys of ennobling religion. He taught their "hands to war, their fingers to fight." Unless the Hebrews were as blind as a door-post, they must have perceived that every good they had came from the liberal hand of Jehovah. To them he was the Fountain of life. Ill. THAT GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO THE WORLD AS THE WORKER OF RIGHTEOUS- NESS. "The heathen shell know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity." We must never lose sight of the fact that God had raised op Israel specio.lly to reveal to the world the righteousness of God. The Hebrews were ordained to educate the world in the truths and principles of righteousness, 'l'hey were appointed to be par excellence a moral people, a no.tion in whom conscience was highly developed. The gods of paganism were renowned for strength and for cunning. The idea of righteousness they had not deified. Hence Jehovah was concerned to be known as essential purity. 'l'o him sin is intolerable-the root of all discord and all misery. The exile was no hapho.zard. It was Divine punishment for grievous sin, Defeat in war wae the rod of God's righteous anger. Hence also the Jewish subjugo.- 816 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [ott. xxnx.1-20,