The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 427

of dew, so may our souls be refreshed by new communion with God. Each day God wisely requires fresh service; we cannot withhold it. Each day will bring new cares, new toils, new opportunities for making God known; tbereforo we require new strength. Each day God has some new blessing to convoy: we should be ever ready to receive it. Self-devotement should be repeated with the dawn of every day. As new as God's gifts to us should be our dedication to him. III. RELIGION AIMS AT PRODUCING HOLY 0HARAOTEB. 'l'he lamb was required to be "without blemish." This was a daily and emphatic reminder that God expected, for his society and bis service, a perfect character. Better still, this was a tacit promise that God would, by his gracious expedients, make us perfect. We aspire after 11erfection. We are ashamed of our imperfections. And we give ourselves up to God, that, by his crentive Spirit, he may mould us unto perfection. This is our confident hope that perfect trust may lead to perfect holiness. By daily consecration of every thought and feeling and purpose, we shall step by step attain the likeness of our Sa,iour. This is God's purpose, and it cannot be frustrated. IV. RELIGION ASKS THE DEVOTEMENT 011' OUR YOUNG LIFE. The daily offering consisted of a "lamb." Why this particular sacrifice was commanded can have but one explanation; viz. that our earliest years should be consecrated to God. While religion in its final end is sublime, in its essential principle it is simple enough. It is love-love to the worthiest Being, and II child has capacity to love. God takes especial interest in children. When Jesus took into his arms young infants and blessed them, be said substantially, " He that hath seen me bath seen the Father I " Inasmuch as God regards things which are not as yet as though they were, he smiles with Fatherly complacency on faith in embryo-on the tiny buds of character not yet unfolded. The first breath of prayer ascends to heaven more fragrant than temple incense. V. RELIGION BEQUIBEB FOB 1TB ACTS DUE PREPARATION. "Thou shalt prepare." As considerable pains were required to prepare the burnt offering, so thought and self- inspection are required for acts of piety. To gain advantage and enjoyment from worship, we must bring to the exercise concentration of mind, tender feeling, intelligent expectation, steadfast trust. The farmer has to plough and pulverize his soil before he casts in his seed, and, unless our hearts have their furrows open, the seed of truth will disappear as soon as sown. The eye must be trained in order to gain vision; the hand must be trained in order to dexterous industry; so too the soul must be trained in order to enjoy high communion with God. Desultory talk is not prayer; for prayer is the outgoing of the whole man Godward.-D. Vers. 16-18.-Earthly sovereignty not absolute. Great temptations surround kings, inducing them to tyranny. 'l'heir own will is enveloped within military force. Obsequious flatterers pander to royal power. For self-interest, soldiers usually take sides with the prince. Hence a first lesson for princes to learn is that right is superior to might. The voice of justice is the voice of God. I. 'l'HE PRINCE IS A SUBJECT OF A HIGHER MoNARCJI. No earthly king holds absolute sway over his subjects. In truth, the mightiest monarch is only e. vassal- king. He rules in the place of God. He has to listen to the summons, "'!'bus saith the Lord." He is appointed to administer the laws of God. He is amenable to a superior authority, and must render an account of his rule at the judgment-bar of heaven. To no king Las God transferred the right of absolute rule. The term of a tyrant'H rule is entirely at the disposal of God. At any moment the King of kings can terminate a prince's rule, and require a report of his doings. At the very height of e. boastful tyranny he has often suffered an humiliating fall. A prince is simply a superior servant. Jl. Tim l'lllNCE 18 UNDER OBLIGATION TO HIS SONS. As he is not absolute master of Lis 6Ubjccts, neither is he absolute master of his 1iosscssions. Even a king has no freehold in his property. It is held under lease. He has only a life-enjoyment in it. Death dissolves all earthly covenants. If he has sons, they arc bis heirs. By the indis- JJUla_ble law of God they have a right in reversion. As the prince he.d full enjoyment of l11s estates during his mortal life, so his sons shall have undiminished enjoyment of the estates during their life. Dy no principle of law or justice can a prince claim to on. xtvr. 1-24.J THE BOOK OF TRE PROPHET EZEKmL. 443