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Every good thing is liable to abuse, and even religion is in danger of degenerating into pernicious superstition. The outward forms often remain - even swell into exaggeration - after the inner reality has departed. So the Hebrews in olden time deemed themselves secure against evil, because they had still among them the visible temple of Jehovah. They were callous to the fact that the only value of the temple arose from its Divine Occupant. As well might one cling to a beautiful corpse when the indwelling spirit had tied.

I. EXTERNAL PRIVILEGE IS ONLY AN APPARENT GOOD. it is a channel which may convey either good or evil, fresh water or foul. It is like a rampart, which is very useful in time of battle, if only it be filled with brave soldiers; if left untenanted, it becomes of use to the enemy. The existence of the temple in Jerusalem became a snare to the Jews; it made them haughty, self-confident, boastful. In an earlier day the Jewish army deemed itself impregnable on the battlefield, because the ark of God was with them. So now the inhabitants of Jerusalem were over-confident of security, because the temple of God was there. Towards their brethren in exile they cherished an unlovely temper, a repulsive front. They imagined that because they had been left in the city, while others had been banished, they were the favorites of God, and that those removed to Babylon were removed from the favour and wing of Jehovah. Again and again had this remnant in Jerusalem been assured that they also would be removed from the city, and would die in the border of Israel; but they persistently refused to believe such distasteful warnings. Their continuance in the sacred city was an injury to their character. They were fostering the worst forms of self-conceit and self-righteousness and self-exclusiveness. They wanted to shut themselves in, and to shut their less-favoured brethren out. So they said, "Get you far from the Lord: unto us is this land given in possession."

II. THE LOSS OF EXTERNAL PRIVILEGE IS NOT NECESSARILY THE LOSS OF GOD'S PRESENCE. When men desert us, God even comes all the nearer on that account. As God had endeavoured to teach the Jews (though with little success) that his personal presence was their only security, so now he assures the dispersed of Israel that, if they desired his presence, he would be to them still a "Sanctuary." All that he had been to them aforetime in Jerusalem he could be to them in Babylon. Alter all, their case need not be so deplorable. Better to be in Chaldea along with God, than in Jerusalem without him. They had supposed that God had identified himself with that gorgeous temple in Jerusalem - that he was there in a sense in which he could not be elsewhere. This error must be unlearnt. Having God with us, we may have all real good.

III. SEVEREST DISASTER IS OFTEN THE CRADLE OF BLESSING. Already it began to appear that the defeat and captivity of Israel were needful, yea, were working good in the banished ones. Already the exiles had lost faith in idols, and were ashamed of their past folly. Already they found that if they returned in spirit and prayer to the true God, he would still be their substantial Friend. The faith and courage of Daniel and other young men in Babylon indicate the improvement in religious life which was budding. The presence of Ezekiel as a teacher among them was an omen for good. We have seen how (ch. 8.) the elders of Judah had sought his presence, and this, doubtless, that they might hear some word from the Lord. The sights of idolatry in that idolatrous land had probably sickened their minds and filled them with disgust. Now they sorrowed over lost privileges and lost opportunities. By the side of Chebar they "hung their harps in the willows," and wept. The sunshine of prosperity had spoilt their simple faith and loyalty; but in the shades of adversity they began to learn wholesome lessons. Here their character shall be re-created, their piety shall be revitalized. Earthly misfortune is heavenly discipline.

IV. THE HIGHEST GOOD IS INTERNAL. Far better to have a fortune within than a fortune outside us. This wealth is durable, abiding, inalienable. No amount of money can purchase honesty, or courage, or tender sensibility, or heart-purity.

1. Regeneration is promised. "I will put, a new spirit within you." The stony heart shall be changed into a heart of flesh. Men are often too blind to appreciate the best possessions; but when our judgment is enlightened, we perceive that this is the richest boon God can give or man receive. This is an inner fountain of blessing - "a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

2. There follows a spirit of filial loyalty. Possessing this new nature, God's Law will become a delight. The sentiment of David is reproduced in them: "Oh, how I love thy Law!" Better still; they learn to say, like Jesus, "I delight to do thy will, O God!" The path of obedience now becomes a fascination - a flowery mead or a fragrant grove. As the stars of heaven observe their proper orbits, so the new-born man spontaneously runs in the statutes of God. Obedience is no longer irksome; it is as natural as breathing, as natural as fruit-bearing.

3. Covenant relationship. "They shall be my people, and I will be their God." This covenant secures for the chosen ones the inalienable favour and protection of God. God obtains, by mutual treaty, a new proprietorship in these people; they, on their part, obtain a proprietorship in God. They have a claim yielded to them by Divine condescension - a claim upon God they did not possess before.

4. National unity. "I will give them one heart." Division had been one source of weakness in the former time. Civic rivalry had been the forerunner of national disaster. Now a better feeling shall prevail. "Judah shall not vex Ephraim, Ephraim shall not envy Judah." Union of the tribes shall be strength.

5. On this shall follow demolition of idolatry. "They shall take away all the detestable things." The more we know God - his Fatherhood, love, and mercy - the more we see the folly and vanity of idols. The baubles that pleased a child are despised when we become men. Our growing love to God will make us intolerant of every rival. As the burnt child dreads the fire, so the restored Hebrews abhorred idols. The man who has a clean heart desires also a clean home. Real reformation begins within - at the centre, and works outward.

V. GOD'S GOVERNMENT DEALS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL MAN. Such is the series of precious donations God engaged to bestow upon his afflicted people in exile; yet their repentance and submission was the pivot on which all good depended. If one here and there still clung to the old idolatry, that one should be excluded from all share in the nation's regeneration. His sin shall bear its proper fruit. The new covenant was to be personal as well as national; for God will not overlook the individual in the crowd. "Each one shall give account of himself unto God." The one among the guests destitute of the wedding garment was in a moment espied by the King. Not a solitary culprit shall escape the scrutiny of God's eye, nor the operation of God's Law. As the light of day penetrates every chink and corner of our globe, so the light of God's righteousness will disclose every sin of man. - D.

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KJV: Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

WEB: The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,