Ezekiel 12:28

REFLECTIONS

READER! if we spiritualize this chapter, in the several sermons contained in it, may not you and I read the Lord's word as addressed to ourselves? Child of man, saith Jehovah, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house; yea, we may answer, true, Lord, for we carry about with us, in ourselves, a rebellious heart. Everything, indeed, both within and without; the remains of indwelling corruption, the whole world that lieth in wickedness, and the great enemy of souls, make open rebellion but too often in the soul. And ought we not, under such circumstances, to do as the Prophet was commanded, prepare for removing; and from one place to another, from strength to strength, in the sight of all the people, testify to every beholder, that here we have no continuing city, but are seeking for one to come. Surely the people of God should be for signs and wonders, as Joshua and his fellows were, men wondered at! yea! the bread of life and the water of life, even while the children of God receive it, and live upon it, in the review of our unworthiness, and distinguishing grace, which makes all the difference between the precious and the vile, may well be eaten with holy fear and with Godly astonishment. Believers, while they rejoice, rejoice with trembling. Precious Lord Jesus! how increasingly precious dost thou appear, when the undeservings of thy redeemed are kept in remembrance. Well may every child of God cry out with the Prophet, on beholding visions of his glory, woe is me for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts. What a relief to a soul under these awakening views of sin and uncleanliness is it to behold, and with an eye of faith, the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world.