Ezekiel 36:16 I. This portion of Scripture, extending onwards from the sixteenth verse, presents an epitome or outline of the Gospel. (1) In Ezekiel 36:17 we have man sinning. (2) In Ezekiel 36:18 we have man suffering. (3) In Ezekiel 36:19 man appears an object of mercy, but I had pity. (4) In Ezek... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:17 I. Look at man sinning. "Ye have defiled the land." The text sets sin before us as a defilement, and it is the only thing that in the eye of God does deform and defile us. II. Look at the nature of the defilement. (1) It is internal. (2) It is universal. (3) It is incurable. T. Guth... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:18 Assuming that God is love, it may be asked, How does that harmonise with the text? How is it to be reconciled with words where God represents Himself as pouring down His fury like a thunder-shower, and scattering His people in a storm of indignation, as light and worthless chaff blown... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:22 The text divides itself into two branches: first, what does not; secondly, what does; move God to save us. To the first question our answer is Not anything in us; to the second His regard to His own holy Name. I. The doctrine that God is not moved to save man by any merit or excellen... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:23 I. The mercy of God is glorified in redemption. II. In redemption, God is glorified in the complete discomforture of all His and our enemies. (1) He is glorified by Satan's defeat. (2) He is glorified by the time and manner of it. (3) He is glorified in the instrument of that defeat.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:23 Passing over the special application of these words to the Jews and looking at them in their prophetical connection with the scheme of redemption, I remark I. That God might have vindicated His honour and sanctified His Name in our destruction. Two methods of glorifying His Name are... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:24 I. In carrying out the work of redemption, God will call His people out of the world. II. The power of Divine grace is strikingly displayed in this effectual calling. III. God will make up the number of His people. "I will gather you out of all countries." IV. We are assured that G... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:25 I. God's people are not chosen because they are holy; they are chosen that they may become holy. II. In redemption, the saved are not justified by themselves, but by God. III. We are not justified or cleansed from the guilt of sin through the administration or efficacy of any outwar... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:26 I. The old heart is taken away and a new one put in its place. The substitution of one heart for another implies an entire change in the character and current of our affections. Now a change may be simply a reform, or extending farther, it may pass into a revolution. The spiritual cha... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:27 In considering the new life which the believer lives in obedience to the law of God, I remark: I. It is a willing obedience. Many movements take place in the universe independent of any will but that of God. The sap ascends the tree, the planets revolve round the sun, the stars rise a... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:36 I. The text announces a most important truth. II. This truth imparts certain comforts to a true Christian. (1) Through his confidence in this truth the believer commits all his earthly cares to God. (2) Through his confidence in the truth of the text the believer is sustained amid th... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:36 I. Prayer is founded on knowledge. Before we can speak to God we must know God. "How shall they call," the Apostle asks, "on Him in whom they have not believed?" Even the prayer of the heathen, so far as it is prayer, rests upon knowledge. (1) Let the man who would pray aright begin by... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 36:37 The text summons us to prayer. Constant prayer, unceasing watchfulness are what our interests imperatively demand. These the Christian life requires, and these the crown of redemption rewards. I. Nature itself teaches us to pray. Like our intuitive belief in the existence of the soul... [ Continue Reading ]