Page 173 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER XXXV. 167
Messiah-Jehovah, as we know from elsewhere, but here
distinguished from Jehovah who speaks and will ac­
complish. Otherwise your interpretation exposes you
to insinuate or think that the word of prophecy is the
grossest exaggeration. Interpret it of the Lord reign­
ing over Israel thus gathered back in divine mercy and
power, and then one feels that the words cannot rise be­
yond the reality : when it comes, “ the half was not told”
will be the genuine feeling of those who behold His
glory even on the earth. And what will it be on high !
It is absurd on every point of view to interpret these
prophecies of the church or of the gospel. Then the very
beasts will have their nature changed, and the earth yield
its increase: for it will be the day for which creation
waits, groaning still and travailing in pain, but then
it is to be delivered from the bondage of corruption into
the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
It is the day when Messiah is raised up for them, not
now rejected and despised as once, a plant of renown,
and Israel shall no more either pine with hunger in the
land or be a reproach of the Gentiles. Jehovah will be
with them, their God, and they His people. Has He
spoken, and will He not make all good'( Is aught too
hard, too good, for the Lord ?

CHAPTER XXXV.
I n chapter xxxv. the prophet had threatened Seir and
the sons of Edom who inhabited that land of natural
fastnesses, so jealous of the favour shewn by Jehovah
to His people. Here he resumes the theme yet more
fully.