The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 410

man that supposes God to be an austere Taskmaster ls a precipitant blunderer, He has grossly missed the truth. God does not require gigantic offerings. He requires gifts simply proportionate to our possessions. The gift of ten thousand pounds may be in the balance of righteousness only a paltry and selfish deed, 'l'he giver may be seeking only se,lf-interests or human fame. The gift of a farthing may win the smile of Jel10vah. The magnitude of our offering is measured by the motive that prompts it, the end sought, and the residue that remains. According to this spiritual calculation, the woman who gave all she had gave transcendently more than the rich donors of golden shekels. '!'he offering of our heart's warm love is the noblest tribute which God appreciates, and unless our gifts are the outflow and manifestation of our love, they are rejected as worthless, they are like smoke in one's eyes. " That which is highly esteemed among men is often an abomination in the sight of God." IV. FIDELITY TO Goo BRINGS THE LARGEST BENEFITS TO MEN. The end of such offerings among the Jews was" to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord God." Yet we shall grossly err if we look upon this as a commercial bargain. Reconciliation with God cannot be purchased with gold, or tithes, or animal sacrifices. Reconciliation is the outcome of God's grace ; but to bestow it upon rebellious men indiscriminately would be a waste and a crime. The grace that has originated reconciliation must pre- pare men's hearts to possess it. This omnipotent kindness of God moves the sinner's heart to repentance. His desire for God's friendship expresses itself in prayer and in substantial offerings. To obtain such a heavenly boon he is willing to make any sacrifice. Such good does bis conscience perceive to dwell in God's favour that obedi- ence to his will is a delight, a very luxury to the soul. As a child finds a delicious joy in pleasing its parent, and runs cheerfully to do that pareut's will, so the repentant man loyally responds to God's commands, and at the altar of sacrifice implores to be reconciled. To have God as his Friend is his supreme desire, his supreme good. " In his favour is life, bis loving-kindness is better than life."-D. Ve.rs. 18-20.-Sanctity of time and place. Human life on earth is conditioned by time and place. It is a necessity of our existence here that we should occupy some definite place. It is a necessity that we should live during some duration of time. We are cradled amid outward circumstance. Until the soil bas matured its powers, it is moulded and modified by external surroundings. What these are, the character of the man, in great measure, will be. I. THE SANCTUABY IS THE FOUNTAIN-HEAD OF PUBLIO RELIGION. A man's personal piety must be nourished in secret-by meditation, faith, and prayer. But a man is not an isolated creature. He is related on many sides to others. He is part of a family, part of a community. Therefore his religion must have a public aspect, and must influence all his relationships. His religion is helped by mutual action and reaction. It is fostered by common beliefs,common sympathies, common worship. The meetiag- place between man and man is also the meeting-place between men and God. Scarce any man will rise above the level of religious life prevailing in the sanctuary. Hero men's souls are fed and nourished and vitalized. What the sanctuary is the home will be, the nation will be, the world will be. If the fountain be clear and abundant in its flow, the streams will be full and clear also. The future of our world hangs upon our sanctuary-worship. II. THE FOUNTAIN-HEAD OF PUBLIC RELIGION MUST BE KEPT l'UBE. So subtle and insidious is the working of sin, that it insinuates a way into the house of God. Base and selfish motives disfigure the beauty of our worship. Worldliness clogs the wheels of the soul, and prevents it from running in the way of holy duty. 'l'he priests and ministers of God are liable to temptation's defiling touch. The channel of communi- cntion between heaven and men may become choked with ave.rice and earthly ambition. 'l'he face of God may be hidden by the mists and clouds of human unbelief. The ears of men may become deaf to the soft whispers of God's voice. Sin in the sanctuary may be so ~ubtle as to remain undetected. Our knowledge of God and of his will is so partial and imperfect that even good men sin through ignorance and error and ina<lvertence. Hence arisPs the need for the repurification of the sanctuary. No means are to be neglected by which men's minds can be more deeply impressed with the need of purity. No expenditure is waste by which the souls of men can be cleansed oa. XLV. 1-25,] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 425