The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 470

mulgates ordinances, he inspires a cheerful obedience, he maintains that order which is the expression of loyalty and contentment. III. To PROTECT THE CITY. The Lord has taken his Zion under his own guardian care. The foes of the city may be mighty, but her Friend and Protector is mightier 11till, "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge." Fear cannot be, for danger cannot come where he is. He casts the shield of his almighty protection around his beloved. The walls of the city are salvation. The citizens may dwell in everlasting peace. No weapon that is formed against Zion shall prosper. IV. To DIGNIFY AND HONOUR THE CITY. The presence and the throne of the Eternal Majesty shed a lustre over the sacred metropolis. The seat of his government is by that very fact invested with an incomparable splendour and renown. The kings of the earth bring their honour into it. Every citizen shares in the dignity conferred by the throne of the great King. V. To ABIDE FOB EVER IN THE CITY, "The Lord is there." The unfaithfulness and defection of the Israelites were such that the glory of the God of Israel removed by the east gate from the temple and the city of Jerusalem. But the prophet beholds him return to his chosen dwelling-place. .And as Jehovah takes up his abode in his Church, he utters the assurance, "I will never leave thee 1"-T. Vere. 8-14.-Religion the nucleus of human life. The spiritual training of men has been uppermost in God's mind. As a wise father trains his child, so God has been trainin<7 us. From God earthly fathers have instinctively learnt their methods. With unparalleled patience God has been encouraging men to take the first step heaven- ward, then the next, and the next. The progress has been slow, often imperceptible; yet it has been continuous. Earth has been, and still will be, a great school-house, a religious university, and God's lesson-books are numberless. The outline of God's plan was sketched in Judrea, and the Hebrews (dull scholars as they were) have become teachers to the world. I. RELIGION FILLS A CENTRAL PLACE IN A RENOVATED WORLD. "The sanctuary of the Lord sho.11 be in the midst thereof." As the light of truth permeates men's minds, they will discover the supreme excellence of piety. Who.tever will aid in the unfolding of their spiritual nature, whatever will promote increasing likeness to God, shall be most appreciated. Temporary good will sink into its proper place; will be o.ppraised at its proper value. The outlook upon human destiny will be taken from a loftier elevation. Present possessions and enjoyments will be deemed, not final, but stepping-stones to higher things. And, from her central throne, Religion will radiate a benign influence over every interest men ho.ve in life. What the sun is to the solar system, or what the axle is to the wheel, or what the heart is to the humo.n body, true religion will be among the concernments of our race. II. RELIGION PROVIDES A. GRADUATED BOA.LE OF EXCELLENCE. It produces sto.tes of purity, circle within circle. Central amongst the civilized nations lay the Hebrew people-a "holy nation-a peculiar people." Among the Hebrew tribes was one tribe set apo.rt o.nd hallowed for God. Within this tribe wo.s selected o. consecrated family, and within this family a consecrated man. So also within Jerusalem, the holy city, there wus a central portion holier still ; within this enclosure a court sacred to the priests, and within this holy place the holy of holies. 'l'hus God leads us step by stop from a lower too. loftier lifo, from one stage of holiness unto o.nother. Wo aspire and make endeavour after a nobler style of life; and lo I when wo ho.ve o.ttained it (as in ascending the Alpine mountains) we discover heights of excellence still above us, more attractive yet. Kindlier methods than those God uses on our behalf it is impossible to employ, and his benevolent ambition is to raise us to his own level of life o.nd joy. III. RELIGION PROMOTES UNITY AMID DIVERSITY. "Tho sanctuo.ry shall be in the midst of it." In other words, the several tribes of Israel were allotted their territory (in Ezekiel's ideal sketch) in relation to the holy place. '!'heir vital connection with the sanctuary determined their connection with each other. 'l'he distinction between the tribes was not obliterated; it served some useful purpose; but this common relation to the sanctuary bound them each to each. If thoy had any separate interests o.s tribes, they had larger o.ud more precious interests as a nation. The more they valued the sanctuary the stronger was the attachment to each other. The nearer they got t<>  486 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [aH. XLVIII. 1-36.