Ezekiel 13:22 Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked… I. INFIDELITY EXERTS A BALEFUL INFLUENCE UPON THE RIGHTEOUS. Note the charge, "Because," etc. 1. It casts a shadow upon his pathway. It is the shadow of midnight. Leaves him to grope his way in darkness. Ignoring God's Word, it points to "the light of nature," and says, "This is sufficient, walk here!" But these are questions that the voice of the winds, the hills, the stars do not answer, "Can sins be forgiven? If so, how?" In the hour of trial nature's light grows dim. The mariner may follow the stars till the storm at midnight; then the lighthouse. 2. It is a blight to his sweetest joys. "Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad." God makes the righteous glad, not sad. True religion is as the oil of joy to the heart. The righteous have "songs in the night." But as frost is to the flower, so is unbelief to the better impulses of the heart. What ray of hope, what ground for rejoicing does infidelity afford? Ah! it is the ruthless hand that snatches away the staff upon which the struggling soul rests. 3. It seeks to undermine his hopes — strikes at the very foundation of them (Psalm 11:3). Ah! he may sit down in sadness and heave an unending sigh. He may hang his "harp upon the willows." II. INFIDELITY EXERTS A BALEFUL INFLUENCE UPON THE WICKED. 1. It encourages him to follow his own inclinations as his guide. The false prophets are described as those "that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing." So they taught all to do. And so is the spirit of infidelity in all ages of the world. The depraved heart is its criterion. 2. It encourages him to continue in sin — "That he should not return from his wicked way." It advocates no such return. Nothing to turn from — nothing to turn to. Nay, it rather "strengthens his hands." 3. It encourages him to dismiss from his mind all thought of the future. It cries to the sin-stricken soul, "Peace, peace. Think not of the hereafter; there may be none, no heaven to gain, no hell to shun. Be at peace!" It is opposed to God, good men, and bad men. It must be destroyed — Wall of bulrushes must fall — "There shall be an overflowing shower." "And ye shall know that I am the Lord." (M. L. Bibb.) Parallel Verses KJV: Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: |
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