The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 445

Ill. THE EQUAL Ils'"HERITAN0E ENTITLES ALL THE :MEMBERS OF CHRIST'S CHURCH TO EQUAL PRIVILEGES. Ai•rLICATION. 1. All distinctions of an hereditary, secular, and educational character are of little import.ance in the Christian community, Boasting is excluded where all is of grace, and where none has any claim of right. 2. Mutual consideration and for- bearance should obtain within the boundaries of the Church. Every Christian bas some especial office and gift; perhaps every Christian has some special infirmity and imperfection. 3. It is profitable and delightful to look forward to the perfect fulfil- ment of the Saviour's purpose and prayer, to anticipate the time when all shall be one- one flock under one Shepherd. The inheritance of all God's people is known only by the common designation: "the inheritance of the saints in light."-T, V ers. 1-12.-The river of salvation. The prophet has advanced from step to step in his outline sketch of Israel's destined glory. The temple is now complete. The throne is to be erected on a foundation of righteousness. The better order for sacrificial worship is instituted. The climax of blessing is almost reached. One great defect bad been manifest in Israel's past history. They lived for themselves. They were the exclusive favourites of Jehovah. This defect shall be remedied. Israel shall hence- forth be a blessing to the world. From under the temple altar a stream of life is seen to flow, which deepens as it flows, and which shall irrigate and vitalize whatever is barren in the land. From Israel, as from a centre, gracious power shall go forth to penetrate with new life the hnman race. Such is the significance of the vision. Yet this structure of future hope rests upon a groundwork of fact. Within recent years it bas been discovered that immense reservoirs of water exist under the identical spot where once the llltar stood. Ezekiel borrowed the material of his vision from the physical features of the t.emple area, and from the formation of the country lying to the east. By a geographical necessity, this stream flowed (in Ezekiel's day) down the valley of Jehoshaphat, along the valley of the Kedron, through land blasted with desolation, and found its way into the Dead Sea. With this raw material of fact the prophet weaves a gorgeous tapestry of prophecy. He foresees the glorious reality of Messiah's day. He limas in outline the magnificent results of Calvary. Pentecost, with its far-reaching consequences, was filling his heart with joy: hence he describes in glowing colours man's regenerated state through the abounding grace of God_. L MARK THE soU1lCE OF THIB LIFE-GIVING S'l'REA:M. "Behold, waters issued out from nnder the threshold of the house eastward • . . the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar." Here we have an early unfolding of God's great plan of salvation-an anticipation of the closing vision in John's Apocalypse. There is vital instruction in every line. The stream had its rise under the altar, which altar is the emblem of the Saviour's cross. Hence we learn that the stream of Divine mercy, the river of life to men, has its source in suffering and sacrifice and death. Atoning death, the outburst of pent-up love, is the spring of life to the world. Such was the spectacle to the prophet's eye ; this was revelation enough for the moment; yet there was a gracious fact further back. The real, invisible sonrce of this salvation is in the heart of infinite love; but for wisest reasons the stream flows through the channel of the cross. Therefore, to the eye of man the most fitting spot whence this stream should seem to rise is the altar in the temple, where for ages God had been sought and his mercy had been found. The plum! word "waters" signifies" abundance." They gushed forth in copious plentifulness. The impression made upon the mind was the very opposite to stint or reluctance. It wns a generous overflow, a glad relief from previous restraint. Such is the quality of God's mercy to men. It leaps forth in generous abundance. There is no limit to his kind- lless. His love is equal to men's largest needs-equal to the salvation of the race. H God is the purveyor, there can be no lack. He gives with the heart of a Father and with the freeness of a King. IL MARK THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE STREAM. At the distance of a thousand cubits from its source the waters reached only to a man's ankles. Another like distance was measured, now they reached the knees; and soon the stream was a river to swim in-a river that could not be forded. Impressive picture thi11 of the development of God's plan of redemption I In Eden there was only an obscure promise, Down to en. XLvn. 1-23.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 461