Ezekiel 24:15-27 Also the word of the LORD came to me, saying,… I. OUR NEAR RELATIVES, WHEN THEY ARE WHAT THEY OUGHT TO BE, ARE DESERVEDLY THE DESIRE OF OUR EYES. The ties of nature are strong and tender. Those who are related by blood are led by instinct to love one another fervently. But of all relations the conjugal is the nearest, and is the foundation of the strongest affection and delight. Where that relation is properly formed, and the parties unite on proper principles, the bond is the firmest, and the reciprocal affection the strongest; insomuch that it is mentioned as the emblem of the relation between Christ and His Church. II. A DISSOLUTION MUST TAKE PLACE, AND WE ARE TO EXPECT EVEN THE NEAREST AND DEAREST FRIENDS SOON TO BE TAKEN FROM US. All the mutual offices of love and friendship must cease. All the pleasures and benefits arising from their society must be suspended. No longer can we take sweet counsel together, and go to the house of God in company; no longer unite in our prayers and praises at the family altar. III. THE STROKE WHICH SEPARATES BETWEEN FRIENDS AND KINDRED IS SOMETIMES SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED. Not a few even in early life, and to all appearance in the full possession of health and vigour, are in a moment struck by the arrows of death, though they themselves and their friends had presumed that they had years to come. It would be our wisdom and happiness often to think of this, not only to quicken us in preparing for our own dissolution, but to prepare us for the loss of our friends and kindred, and engage us to improve the opportunities we have for our mutual benefit while they are continued; and to prevent that immoderate attachment to them which would be the source of excessive grief and surprise on their sudden removal. IV. IT IS GOD WHO TAKES THEM AWAY. "Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke." In which words the Lord calls his attent on not only to the event, but to Himself as the agent. And He is equally the agent in the events which befall us and our friends, whatever be the instruments or second causes. That it is God who takes away our comforts as well as gives them is what none can doubt who have any just acquaintance with His holy word and believe what it teaches. We are there told, in general, that all things are of God, that a sparrow does not fall to the ground, and much less any human being, without our heavenly Father. "Behold," says Job, "He takes away, and none can hinder Him." Such a stroke ought to be felt, and it may be lamented as a heavy affliction. But when you consider the hand from whence it comes, you will see reason not only to submit, but to adore; and duty to Him requires that you should. V. GUARD AGAINST IMMODERATE GRIEF. Were it not for the hope of the Gospel — the hope of a blessed immortality beyond the grave — death would indeed be a most formidable object. When our friends leave the world, if we believed that there was an utter end of them, and they sunk into an eternal sleep, the thought of parting with them would be terrible. But if, when our dear friends die, we are fully persuaded that they live to God — if, when they are taken from us, we are well assured that they are gone to be with Christ, which is far better — we can have no just cause to mourn on their account; and if we have a Gospel foundation of hope that we are following them to glory, and shall ere long meet them there, whatever reason we have to mourn our own present loss, our sorrows ought to be mingled with joy.Conclusion — 1. Let us bless God for those dear friends and relatives who are deservedly the desire of our eyes. 2. Let us remember how precarious the continuance of them is, as well as of all earthly enjoyments, and be prepared for the loss of them. 3. Nor let us forget that this change is as likely to be effected by our removal as by that of our friends. 4. Under all the afflictions of this mortal life, and especially amidst our sorrows for our departed friends, let us bless God for the comforts of the Gospel; and let us never cast them from us, but by faith make application of them to ourselves. (S. Palmer.) Parallel Verses KJV: Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, |
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