They do not lie down with the fallen warriors of old, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were placed under their heads, whose shields rested on their bones, although the terror of the mighty was once in the land of the living. Sermons
I. THE COMMON SIN OF THE NATIONS. Of all those mentioned by the prophet, it may be said that they were unfaithful to their trust, and incurred the just displeasure of the Ruler of the universe. 1. They had all forgotten God, for it is in this light that we must view their idolatry. 2. They had all sought their own aggrandizement and glory rather than the life of righteousness. 3. They had all been rapacious, violent, and unscrupulous in their treatment of neighboring peoples. II. THE COMMON DOOM OF THE NATIONS. It is said of one after another of these guilty states, that they were all slain with the sword, and bore their shame with them that go down to the pit, to the midst of Sheol. It is said that "their iniquities were upon their bones" by which we may understand that their sin clave to them, that they were counted responsible for it, and were required to bear the penalties attaching to it. It would be absurd to attempt a precise explanation of the poetical language of this splendid vision, which is utterly insusceptible of logical analysis. It expresses the mood of the inspired prophet; it conveys a great moral truth; it aids us in the appreciation of national continuity and vitality; it brings powerfully before our mind the amenability of governments and states to the moral law and jurisdiction of the Eternal Righteousness. III. THE COMMON WOE AND LAMENTATION OF THE NATIONS. "Son of man," said the Lord, "wail for the multitude of Egypt." Although the nations are represented as lying still in the depths of Sheol - their swords under their heads - yet they are represented as in some measure conscious; Pharaoh of Egypt being "comforted" at the awful approach of his compeers in pride and terror, and the Zidonians as ashamed because of their sin and its recompense. Mourning and lamentation must ensue upon sin, even though during its commission there be insensibility and obduracy. IV. THE COMMON TESTIMONY OF THE NATIONS. The fate of the colossal world empires of antiquity has preached, in tones of power and in terms of unmistakable precision, to the after-times. These nations, in their worldly pride and in their providential fall, have taught mankind that there is but one sure foundation for a people's well-being, and that those who build upon another foundation are doomed to fall. God himself is the Source of true national life and prosperity. Where he is repudiated or forgotten, ruin is sure. Where he is honored and obeyed, there and there only will there prevail progress and stability and peace. - T.
Gone down to hell with their weapons of war. I. THE UTTER HELPLESSNESS OF MORTALITY.1. What might is there that call withstand death! From armies, thrones, castles, courts, and empires, death hath plucked his prey. 2. The universality of death's empire. (1) (2) 3. What a picture is here drawn of all enmity against God! Rebellion against God is madness (Psalm 2). 4. What a contrast the grave of the Saviour presents to these! Victorious death in that bright Easter morn was subdued and crushed. Ours is the triumph also. Though mortality be helpless, and must bow to the dust, yet humanity is triumphant, and shall rise again. II. THE FOND TENACITY OF MEMORY. Memory surrounds the living with relics of the dead and mementoes of the past. Even the dead are surrounded with tokens of their circumstances, character, and career. Above the grave stands the grey tombstone, with the simple inscription, "To the memory." What memories are you preparing for your deathbed and the grave? Our moral actions, mental emotions, and impressions we cannot bury in everlasting oblivion. Our character is our true epitaph cut deeply into our tomb. (R. S. Latimer.). People Elam, Ezekiel, Meshech, Pharaoh, Sidonians, TubalPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Edom, Egypt, Elam, Meshech-Tubal, Tigris-Euphrates RegionTopics Beside, Body-covers, Bones, Cause, Fallen, Falling, Fear, Fighting, Grave, Heads, Hell, Heroes, Inferior, Iniquities, Iniquity, Instruments, Laid, Lie, Mighty, Nether-world, Past, Placed, Placing, Punishment, Rest, Rested, Sheol, Shields, Sins, Stalked, Strength, Swords, Terror, Though, Uncircumcised, Underworld, War, Warriors, WeaponsOutline 1. A lamentation for the fearful fall of Egypt11. The sword of Babylon shall destroy it 17. It shall be brought down to hell, among all the uncircumcised nations Dictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 32:27Library How the Preacher, when He Has Accomplished all Aright, Should Return to Himself, Lest Either his Life or his Preaching Lift Him Up. But since often, when preaching is abundantly poured forth in fitting ways, the mind of the speaker is elevated in itself by a hidden delight in self-display, great care is needed that he may gnaw himself with the laceration of fear, lest he who recalls the diseases of others to health by remedies should himself swell through neglect of his own health; lest in helping others he desert himself, lest in lifting up others he fall. For to some the greatness of their virtue has often been the occasion … Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Second Coming of Christ. Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths . Ezekiel Links Ezekiel 32:27 NIVEzekiel 32:27 NLT Ezekiel 32:27 ESV Ezekiel 32:27 NASB Ezekiel 32:27 KJV Ezekiel 32:27 Bible Apps Ezekiel 32:27 Parallel Ezekiel 32:27 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 32:27 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 32:27 French Bible Ezekiel 32:27 German Bible Ezekiel 32:27 Commentaries Bible Hub |