Page 219 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER XL. 213

the prophets he thus hyperbolical and untrustworthy,
what is to save the Gospels and the Epistles any more
than the Law and the Psalms? The tendency of both
schools is unwittingly but none the less really to under­
mine inspiration.
Who can think that the modern attempt to save ap­
pearances for the latter view is at all successful?
“ Ezekiel,” says the late Dr. Henderson (p. 187), “ was
furnished with an ideal representation of the Jewish
state as about to be restored after the captivity.” Was
this “ ideal” then realized ? Did it or did it not differ
immensely from the actual state of the Jews in Pales­
tine after their return ? Did the post-captivity temple
correspond with the building here so carefully measured?
Had they such priests ? And what about the prince, to
say nothing of the feasts and the sacrifices without a high
priest—so marked a peculiarity in this prophecy ? Had
the Jews the glory returned to their land ? Did the twelve
tribes, with the special provision for the priests and the
Levites and the prince, take up their position so carefully
laid down by the prophet ? Did healing waters flow from
the temple towards the Dead Sea at that period, or in
any sense whatsoever ? Did the priests and Levites
dwell no longer up and down Palestine, but only round
about the sanctuary, both henceforth having land as-
the reality were but a dwarfish fulfilment of the prophecy, the
event shews the imperfection of Ezekiel’s foreshadowing.” (David­
son’s “ Introduction to the Old Testament,” iii. 156.) It shews, as I
should say, the folly of such an interpretation. Is Dr. D. a prophet
to say that the vision is not to be fulfilled in the future ? Let him
beware of the character and doom of a false prophet. God is not
mocked, though it be the day of grace and patience with man on
the earth.