The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 446

the days of Abraham the rill of experienced mercy reached only to the ankles. But it steadily grew in depth and fulness. It would be a waste of blessing if God should disclose his grace faster than man has capacity to receive. In Panl's day the stream bad swelled in volume, so that, having tried his sounding-line, be stood confounded, e.nd could only ·exclaim, " Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and know- ledge of God!" Still the stream rolls on and increases in magnitude. At its banks every thirsty soul may drink and live. For six thousand years it has been flowing, e.nd, instead of giving any sign of diminution, the volume still increases and shall increase. For this saving knowledge shall cover the earth as the natural water fills the caverns of ocean. So important did God conceive it to be that Ezekiel should kno,v of this steady increase, that he caused him to test it by personal experiment. It did not suffice that Ezekiel looked upon this increasing volume with his eye; he must go into it, and have deepest knowledge of the fact. 'l'hey who preach to others must have personal experience of the truth. Theory and tradition and speculation will not suffice for the instruction of men. The preacher sent from God must declare what he has "tasted and handled and ft,Jt of the good word of life." Attention is summoned: "Son of man, bast thou seen this?" III. MARK THE SALUTARY EFFECTS OF THIS STREAM. "Everything shall live whither the river cometh." The prophet soon left the region of natural fact. There was then a stream flowing out from under the temple; but its waters were not sweet; it did not grow in bulk as it proceeded; it did not bring fertility and life to the district. The country through which the Kedron flows is the most rocky and desolate to he found in Palestine. Although this little stream has been flowing for ages into the Dead Sea, it has not perceptibly alleviated its bitterness. Nauseous and pungent to the taste as ever is that water. Though beautiful to the eye as the Sea of Galilee, no animated life is on its shores; all verdure is wanting; and not the tiniest animalcula can live in its depths. It is the scene of silence and desolation. Pathetic emblem this of man's moral barrenness! 1. Food is provided. To this natural spectacle what a contrast does Ezekiel's picture present! 'l'his copious stream brings life and beauty to both its banks. Here grows every tree that can yield fruit. Here no scarcity ca11 bo found, for the trees bear in constant succession. As soon as one sort of fruit is exhausted another is purple with ripeness. No winter is here; it is perpetual summer. Such fruits may be enumerated: (1) knowledge; (2) repentance; (3) pardon; (4) peace; (5) obedience; (6) adoption; (7) Divine communion; (8) strength; (9) purity ; (10) patience; (11) hope; (12) immortality. Already the deserts of earth have blossomed; already these fruits of Paradise have been tasted. For long years the prophecy has ripened into fact. 2. Medicine. "The leaf thereof shall be for me<licine." The provision which God makes is always complete. Man is not only the subject of hunger, he is a victim of disease. He is racked with pain, tom with sorrows, tormented with a thousand cares. And as in nature the leaves and cells of plants contain medicine for every bodily disease·; so in his kingdom of grace God has furnished remedies for all care and sorrow. "The leaves of the tree nre for the healing of the nations." And what else can these leaves be except the truths and promises of the gospel of Christ? Is it not a fact well attested that these words and pledges of Jehovah have alleviated the distre8S of many an anguiijhed soul? acted as cooling balm to many a fevered heart? How many men, fettered with chains of despair, have broken them by virtue of the promise, " Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out " I How many no tongue can tell. And like healing medicine to II thousand afflicted souls bns been the whispered assurance, "I will never leave thee; " and this, "My grace is sufficient for· thee." "He has sent forth his word and healed them." 3. There is perpetual t1erdure. Of these trees "the leaf shall not fade." As a willow planted by the river- side is well-nigh always verdant, so the trees of righteousness were beauteous in immortal verdure because their roots were nourished by the river of God. Human nature (unvisited by God's grace) is a desert more bald and sterile than the hill-country of j udiea. But wherever this crystal stream of mercy comes, life-luxuriant, joyous life- e.ppeare. The plants of holiness flourish-" trees of the Lord, full of sap." A thousand such deserts have already blossomed, and the prophecy is undergoing fulfilment before our eyes. 4. Abundant life is yet another effect. "There shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither." It is in keeping with the 4.62 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [cH, xLvu.1-23,