Page 179 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER XXXVI. 173
is characterized by the execution of judgments; and
the rather as all scripture shews that the state of the
earth will just before it be one of unexampled evil in
apostasy, not only the rebellions rejection of the truth,
but the great lie consummated of man sitting as God
in the temple of God. And God will deal not with
the most flagrant offenders only, but with each and all
■who have risen up against Him, when He delivers and
exalts His ancient people still justly abased because of
their sins.
To this time these prophecies look onward, what­
ever may have been their partial application in the past.
If Israel will come forth from their hiding-place for
His mercy, so will Edom for His judgment. I mean
now of course for the judgment of the quick, not of
the dead, which will follow at the close of all when the
wicked of every age and clime shall rise again and be
judged by the Son of man.
But here it is the earth dealt with, not that eternal
judgment; and the prophet was to speak comfort to the
long desolate mountains of Israel. For God has not
made the earth or man upon it to be ever the victims
of sin and sorrow, of vanity and corruption. He will
surely shew Himself a deliverer from all the mischief
Satan has wrought; hut there must be judgment as well
as mercy, and both we see here. Had the enemy taunted
the land of Israel, saying Aha, even the ancient
heights are become our possession? (Ver. 2.) Jehovah’s
answer through His prophet is, “ Because, even because
they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on>
every side, that ye might become a possession unto the
residue of the nations, and ye are taken up on the lips