The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-09-09

means GOD lB strong or more prob
ably, God strengthens Temple Bi-
BILE.
Parentage.-His father was Buzz
("the despised one'), fancifully held
by rabbinical tradition to be the de
spised" prophet, jeremiah.
Calling.-He was a priest at Jerusa-
lem, and probably OF the influential
family Of Zadok
Inspired TO Prophesy.-'In the thir-
tleth year" (Ezek. 1:1-an expression
probably referring to Ezekiels age),
the fifth year of the captivity, Ezekiel
saw wonderful vision, which bade
him be bold to rebuke the sins Of his
people (Ezek 2:6), and call them to
God. From that time. for at least
twenty-five years, he was "a watch
man unto the house OF Israel" (Ezek,
3:17).
II. The Book of Ezekiel-"No criti-
cal question arises in connection with
the author hip Of the book. the whole
from beginning TO end bearing un-
mistakably the stamp OF single
mind. Driver. Matheson calls him
Ezekiel the Individualist,' on account
Of "his insistence on the independence
Of the individual soul before God -
Hastings. The Omnipotence of the
living God is the idea which predomi-
mates in the whole ministry Of Eze-
kiel."-Godet. Gods holiness is also
q masterful thought with the prophet
Q) Chapters 1-24 are prophecies ut
tered before the destruction OF Jerusa-
lem, closing with the tragic death OF
the prophets wife, which becomes a
symbol OF the exiles' despair when
they receive the dreadful news from
the west. CD Chapters 25-32 are
prophecies against the seven nations
surrounding Palestine. This section
corresponds 10 the interval of silence
which separates the two periods of
Ezekiel's ministry. co Chapters 1898
are prophecies Of the restoration Of
Israel, including the wonderful vision
OF the valley OF dry bones (chap. 81.
(4) Chapters 40-4S are a picture Of the
glories of the redeemed nation. It is
in this section that our lesson lies.
III. The Vision Of the Temple.--In
these nine closing chapters, Ezekiel
las given US a description of the fu-
ture Kingdom OF God, which ranks
among the most remarkable cerations
Of his book. We have here for
the first time in perfect distinctness
the conception of a Kingdom of God,
or, as we might also say, OF an eccles-
iastical state. ."-Cornill.
Nv. Tns River OF Life: Its Source.
VS.. Il 2. The river OF life is the
most striking conception Of Messianic
felicity. It tx one OF those vivid Inn
ages from Eastern life which, through
the Apocalypse, have passed into the
symbolism Of Christian escatology. ~
Expositor's Bible. Read Rev. 22:1, 2.
/. "AfterwRrd." After the angel
had shown Ezekiel the new temple
and all its details. He" (the con-
ducting angel) brought me again
unto the door OF the house" The
entrance to the temple itself. the in
ner sanctuary. From under the thresh-
old to the right the prophet saw
miraculous stream issuing forth, and
flowing eastward. As Che building
faced the east, its right side was
south. Continuing across the inner
co-Kt and keeping to the right, the
stream passed the altar. which was
In the center. "at the south side, and
went on across the outer court.
2. Then brought he me out, etc.
The eastern gates we're shut because
Jehovah had entered through them
iEzek. 44:2; 46:1), therefore the
ohophet was led through the north
gate and around the outer court to the
eastern side, where he perceived the
stream flowing beneath the gate, still
on the southern side.
God, the Source of All Good. The
vision means that. as the river of life
flowed from the sanctuary where Je-
hoyah dwelt, so all our blessings come
from God and from his present abode.
the church of Christ.
V. A broadening stream.-ys. 3-5.
The vision unfolds gradually, as all
truth does. The prophet is next made
to perceive that the wonderful stream,
proceeding from Gods sanctuary,
needs no additions from without, but
has in itself the power of increase, OF
growth.
3. THE man that had the line In
his hand" Ezekiel's guide had been
using the line to measure the dimen-
sions OF the temple HE measurcd a
thousand cubits." About one-third of
a mile. The exact distance has no
special significance, but only the fact
that the stream, without tributaries.
rapidly deepened becoming ankle-
deep, then after a space knee-deep,
then (v. a ito the loins.' and finally
(V. 81, waters to swim in. a river
that could not be passed over"
The Growth OF the Kingdom To
the Jew Of Ezekiel's time his vision
was an encouraging prophecy that.
though the nation on the return from
exile would at first be small and weak,
il would in time become strong and
wealthy. That is just what happened.
rhe return was signalized by renewed |
Bible study, deeper and purer wor-
ihlp, more fervent patriotism, with the |