The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 367

be a prophet is blessed thereby, and he learns the lesson of responsibility. To have at our disposal the well-being of many (if a man have the true prophet's spirit) elevates a man, and brings into activity all the best qualities of his nature, In every age God has thus dealt with men. V. Goo IS UNCHANGEABLE IN BIS MORAL LIKINGS AND DISLIKINGS, "They have even defiled my holy Name, . . . wherefore I have consumed them in my anger." That which was offensive to God in Eden was offensive to him in Jerusalem; and that self- Bame thing is equally offensive to him to-day. Rebellion against his high authority, springing as it does from a lack of love, is to him an abomination. .All sin is pcllution a stench in Jehovah's nostrils. To a refined mind, some forms of sin are offensiv~ enough. Drunkenness is a sore offence to many. Murder is an abomination to a laruer number yet. But in the esteem of God all forms of disobedience are as ghastly° as murder, and to him murder is tenfold more vile than it is to us. Onr spiritual sensibility is weakened by long indulgence in evil practice. By-and-by the redeemed will regard sin as God regards it ; they will loathe it as God loathes it; they will esteem it as of all things the most abominable. VI. Goo IS UNCHANGEABLE IN BIS CONDITIONS OF BLESSING. "Let them put away their whoredom . . . far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them." In the eye of God all idolatry is whoredom. The heart had gone after a foul and unholy rival. And the abandonment of all idolatry is God's immovable condition for blessing men, If every idol is cast out of the human heart, God will dwell there. The greatest promise he has ever made to men is based on this condition, either expressed or implied. His inmost nature is the quintessence of purity, and if the taint of active sin is in the atmosphere, be speedily departs. God's gifts in nature always depend on fixed conditions. Light will come to us only through a proper condition of atmosphere. 'l'he electric message will travel to its destination only along_conducting media. Health visits men only through fixed channels. .And life itself is conveyed only through conditions that never change. To obtain the abiding presence of God we must concede to him his own terms.-D. Vers. 10--12.-" The law of the house." Through all the ceremonies and observances of the ancient temple one conspicuons lesson ran, viz. a lesson of purity. Every rite and sacrifice were vocal with this lesson. It was written on every altar. It was visible in the priestly dress. It was engraven on the high priest's mitre, On every side men saw and beard the cardinal_ truth that God is holy, and that on earth he has a residence in order to make men holy. I. GoD's ABODE AMONG HEN IS THE HIGHEST PROOF OF BIB FAVOUR, This is the climax of his condescension. Material gifts he imparts to all his creatures : "He makes his sun to shine on the evil and on the good." It is an act of kindness for God to speak to men through a messenger; an act of kindness to provide pardon for the penitent; an act of kindness to open the way to spiritual eminence and joy. But to dwell among inferior, wayward, rebellious creatures is the highest piece of condescension we can conceive. Such an idea overwhelmed Solomon's mind with surprise : "Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" .And the incarnation of God in the Man Christ Jesus will ever remain the mystery of mysteries. If God be with us we can have no need. If God be with us we are sure to conquer, sure to rise in excellence, sure to reach perfection. II. Goo's AMAZING KINDNESS IS THE SOURCE OF PENITENCE, The end of this gracious revelation by Ezekiel is "that they may be ashamed of their iniquities." "What the Law could not do" love bas accomplished. So constructed is the human heart that love (if mighty enough) shall move and conquer it. The exile in Babylon bad ploughed deep furrows in the hearts of the Hebrews, and now the dew and sunshine from heaven had fallen on them to make the soil fruitful. 'l'he purity of the human soul is an end so transcendently great that no measures are too costly by which such an end can be gained. The magnificent provision which God was making, in Ezekiel's day, for dwelling again in the midst of Israel was well calculated to awaken remorse and shame in every breast, Jehovah's good will, in spite of provocation, was enough to melt the stoutest heart. Ill Mill's PEIIIITENCE IS THE GROUND OF FUBTBEB BEVELATION FROM GoD, "If OH. XLm. 1-27.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 381