Page 156 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

150 NOTES ON EZEKIEL.

fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that
descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the
choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall
be comforted in the nether parts of the earth. They
also went down into hell with him unto them that be
slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that
dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.”
(Ver. 10—17.) Tremendous was the overthrow from
such towering grandeur to the utmost degradation and
impotence: a lesson for all that might aspire beyond
their measure, a call to mourn and quake.
Had Egypt profited morally ? On the contrary did it
not after all hasten to follow in the same steps ? And if
Pharaoh emulated the Assyrian’s glory and affected as
much or more, should he not justly know the same
annihilation? “ Whom art thou thus like in glory and
in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou
be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the
nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst
of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the
sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith
the Lord Jehovah.” (Ver. 18.) To the nether parts of
the earth must Egypt go with the rest. The power
and the policy of nature can give no exemption. In
God alone is continuance, and He will display it in His
people on earth, as in heaven, when they have bowed to
learn themselves as well as Him. Till then, Israel’s
circumcision is made uncircumcision, and they are even
more guilty than the Gentiles they despise.