Ezekiel 3:22 And the hand of the LORD was there on me; and he said to me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with you. I. The DUTY enjoined — "Arise, and go forth into the plain." Premise two things — 1. The place is indifferent. It matters not whether it be a private room, or the open field. The thing required is to be alone. 2. It is not a state of absolute retirement that God enjoins, Man was made for society, as well as solitude: and so is the Christian. But what our subject demands is, comparative and occasional secession for moral and spiritual purposes. Says He not this by express commands? "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Enter into thy closet; and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which is in secret shall reward thee openly." And says He not this by example? Daniel retired three times a day. Of our Saviour, whose life has the force of a law, it is said: "In the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Says e not this by he institution of the Sabbath? The return of every Saturday evening cries, "Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord." "Go forth into the plain, and there will I talk with thee." And says He not this by the dispensations of His providence? Affliction often at once disinclines us to social circles, and disqualifies us for them. Sickness separates a man from the crowd, and confines him on the bed of languishing, there to ask, "Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?" Says He not this by the influence of His grace? This agency always produces in its subjects certain sentiments and dispositions, which urge them to retirement. I will mention four of these. 1. The first is a devotional temper. Whoever delights in prayer will delight in retirement; because it is so favourable to the frequency and freedom of the exercise. 2. The second is a desire to rise above the world. How often does the Christian lament that his conversation is so little in heaven, and that he is so much governed, by things that are seen and temporal! But where is the world conquered? In a crowd? No: but — alone. 3. The third is a wish to obtain self-knowledge. It is only alone that he can examine his state; that he can explore his defects; and set a watch against future temptation. 4. The fourth is love to God. When we are supremely attached to a person, his presence is all we want; how desirable then to meet him alone, where he seems wholly ours, and we can yield and receive undivided attention! II. The PRIVILEGE promised — "And I will there talk with thee." 1. The condescension of the Speaker. It is the Creator talking with the creature. Annexed to our meanness are our unworthiness, and our guilt. Here is, therefore, the condescension not only of goodness, but of mercy and grace. 2. Observe the happiness of the believer. By what scale can we judge of blessedness so rightly as the degree of nearness to God, the supreme good, the fountain of life? In His presence there is fulness of joy, and at His right hand there are pleasures for evermore. How blessed, then, is the man whom God chooses, and causes to approach unto Him now! 3. What is the subject of communication? It is variously expressed in the Scripture. It is called, His secret, and His covenant: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant." It is called judgment, and His way: "The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek will He teach His way. It is peace: "He will speak peace unto His people." It regards everything that is important to their welfare, or interesting to their feelings and hopes. 4. What is the mode of address? He does not talk with us in a preternatural manner, as he did sometimes of old with His people. But He opens our eyes to see wondrous things out of His law. He leads us into all truth. He applies the doctrines and promises of His word by His Spirit; and, by enabling us to realise our own interest in them, He says to our souls, I am thy salvation. 5. What is the evidence of the fact? How shall we know that He does talk with us? Remember the two disciples going to Emmaus.Determine the Divine converse with you in the same way. Judge of it by its influences and effects. 1. It will produce a deep and solemn sense of our vanity and vileness. 2. It will draw forth unquenchable desires after additional indulgence. 3. It will produce likeness. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise." (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee. |
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