The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 325

obtaining this vision, Natural principles prevailed then as now. Ezekiel was by birth and office a priest Nor wa.s he, as many bad been, a. priest simply by here<lilary right. He was in every fibre of his nature a priest. His soul yearned to see Jehovah enthroned in his temple at Jerusalem. He yearned to take his proper place at the altars of the Most High. The visions and promises God had vouchsafed to him touchiag the reoccupation of the land had revived his hopes. He longed to see the gracious promise fulfilled, To Ezekiel, in this state of sanguine hopefulness, the new vision came. Earnest zeal for God's glory is a condition essential to gain further knowledge of his will. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show to them his coven~nt." As steel points draw off the electric fluid, so a. state of childlike affection draws down communications from God. II. FoR EVERY KIND OF ENTERPRISE Goo HAS WELL-EQUIPPED SERVANTS. As soon as Ezekiel was transported in vision to Mount Zion, lo! there was a heavenly messenger furnished with plans for the new temple. Without doubt the unfallen angels have differences of character and differences of endowment as great as appear among men. Very likely qualities of mind are even more varied and diverse in heaven than upon earth. Gabriel is described to us as the presence-angel-a 8ort of prime minister. Michael is always spoken of as engaging in battle for Jehovah-a commander-in-chief in the army of G9d. Some angels at least have gifts of music and of song. This visitor from the heavenly realm who met Ezekiel on the mount was endowed with architectural skill, and unfolded specifications aud plans for the house of God. "His appearance was like the appearance of brass "-steadfast, durable, irresistible. His qualities were the very opposite of a weak, timid, vacillating person. The circum- stances were such that severe opposition was expected, and the architect of God was well-prepared for his task. So has it always been in human history. Gideon was the man for his times. Elijah was well adapted for his age, Paul well fitted the niche he occupied. III. 'l'o RECEIVE REVELATIONS FROM GoD EVERY HUMAN ORGAN MUST BE ACTIVE. "Behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall show thee." The eye and the ear a.re the channels through which we obtain the raw material of information, which is manufactured into wisdom by the machinery of the mind. God does degrade men by using them only as machines. He will not do for them what they cnn do for themselves, He will give no premium to indolence. By the diligent use of our highest faculties we rise into higher states of life and joy. It was after a. season of prayer that Jesus was transfigured. While David "mused, tho fire burned." He that uses well his ten talents obtains largest rewlll'd, 'l'he eunuch was diligently scanning the Scriptures when the interpreter came to him. While Daniel was speaking in prayer, Gabriel arrived to unfold the heavenly mysteries. We do not receive larger and clearer revelation from God because our minds and hearts are not open wide to receive it. The oil stayed because there was no empty vessel. IV. DIVINE KNOWLEDGE IS GIVEN THAT IT MA y DE COMMUNICATED, "Declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel." In the kingdom of God no form of selfishness is tolerated. Every man receives in order that he may distribute. This is God'll great principle of economy. He kiadles the light on one point, that from this point other torches may be lighted. "Freely ye have received, freely give." The fount of know- ledge is fed by what it gives out, as well as by what it receives. By virtue of St. Paul's possession of the gospel mysteries he counted himself a debtor both to the Greek and to the barbarian. Men of God are stewards of spiritual blessing, God's almoners to the world. God has enlightened us that the light may shine out upon others. God has enriched us that we may enrich the poor. God has filled us with sacred comfort that we may comfort the distressed. God has made his servants trustees for humanity. "No man liveth unto himself; no man dieth unto himself."-D, Vere. 6-21.-GorJ:s kingdom divinely organized. It is no part of God's procedure to provide a sketch-plan for his kingdom and allow others to supply the details. Iu the kingdom of material nature his matchless wisdom has designed the minutest parts. In the construction of the human body he has taken care to do the best in the articu- latiou of every joint-in the interaction of the most delicate organ. So in the buildino- of his spiritual kingdom he has laid down all the essential principles that are to b~ 336 THE DOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [011, XL, 1-4.9.