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. God speaks as surely in the city as in the desert. By unexpected events, by labour and strife, by the various fortunes of vice, and the amazing struggles of virtue, God speaks to men with distinctness and solemnity. The point is that busy men may hear God in solitude, and solitary men may hear Him in the city. Change of mere position may have moral advantages. I. THE SPECIALITY OF GOD'S APPOINTMENTS. He appoints places, times, methods, He appoints, in this case, the plain. "Where two or three are gathered together," etc.; "Wheresoever My name is recorded," etc. Where the appointment is special, the obedience should be instantaneous, cordial, punctual. II. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD'S COMMUNICATIONS. "I will talk with thee." We should know more of God if we held closer intercourse with Him. We may go to God directly. Every devout meditation brings us into the Divine presence. Expect this; believe it; realise it. In the sanctuary we are not hearing the voice of man, but of God. In nature we hear the Divine voice. God talks with man in the garden in the cool of the day. III. THE FAMILIARITY OF GOD'S CONDESCENSION. "I will talk with thee." It is a friend's appointment. It is not, "I will lighten and thunder," or, "I will overpower thee with My strength," but, "I will talk with thee," as a father might talk to his only son. Though the prophet was at first thrown down, yet the Spirit entered into him, and set him upon his feet. Application — 1. God has ever something to say to man. Must have — (1) as a Ruler; (2) as a Father. His word is ever new. 2. In seeking solitude, man should seek God. Solitude without God leads to madness. Solitude with God leads to strength and peace. Undevout solitude is the wilderness where the devil wins his battles. 3. Man himself should often propose to commune with God, In this case God proposed; in other cases man may "seek the Lord." Communion with God shows — (1) the capacity of our spiritual nature; (2) the infinite superiority of the spiritual as compared with the material.When Moses talked with God, his face shone; when we commune with Him, our life will be full of brightness. Divine fellowship may be kept silent, but it cannot be kept secret. Jesus Christ Himself went away from men to commune with God. If the Master required solitude, can the servant safely do without it? (J. Parker D. D.) 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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