Ezekiel 33:7-9 So you, O son of man, I have set you a watchman to the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear the word at my mouth… I. THE END IN WHICH THE EVIL WAYS OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN TERMINATE IS AN AWFUL END. It is a way that terminates in death, and that not temporal death alone, but eternal death. Many are the terrific views which are given of the world of woe; but what view can be more terrific than that of dying forever, and yet to be never dead after all? It will be awful in its nature, and still more so in its duration. The misery will be inconceivable, and the misery will be interminable. Banishment from all blessedness forever! Blackness and darkness, weeping and wailing, forever! II. THE REALISATION OF THIS AWFUL END IS AN OBJECT WHICH THE BLESSED GOD, FAR FROM DESIRING, DEPRECATES AND DEPLORES. It is not your death that He desires, but your life. 1. By way of confirming this encouraging truth, we would remind you, in the first place, of what God is in Himself. His nature is love — that is the endearing name by which He is revealed; and as His name is, so is He. Benevolence of the highest, noblest, purest kind constitutes the very essence of His all-perfect character. 2. In connection with what God is in His nature, we would advert to what He has done for our salvation. He has "so loved the world that He gave," etc. 3. His dealings with the children of men in all ages. How has He borne with them in the face of their innumerable provocations? III. IT IS THE CONSEQUENT DUTY OF SINNERS TO FORSAKE THEIR EVIL WAYS, THE TERMINATION OF WHICH, IF PERSISTED IN, WILL BE SO DISASTROUS, AND TO TURN AT ONCE TO HIM WHO WAITETH TO BE GRACIOUS. "Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Many strange things have been done or endured before now, which appeared unaccountable; and yet there have been substantial reasons to justify them. To see an individual in an unresisting posture, patient and resigned, while persons with their saws and knives were severing one of his limbs from his body, seems a strange sight; and yet there may be no difficulty in proving that such an operation was necessary and desirable, since the sacrifice of a man's limb has often been the means of saving a man's life. For multitudes to give their bodies to be burnt; to welcome cruel mockings and scourgings; to abandon their homes, and wander in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth: all this appears to be unaccountable. But there may be the strongest reasons adduced in justification of such severe sacrifices. Hence it is declared of the ancient: worthies, that they were tortured, not accepting deliverance; and why? That they might obtain a better resurrection. But for your course, poor sinner, no reason can be given. (Anon.) Parallel Verses KJV: So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. |
    |