568. EZE 17:24. THE PROUD ABASED AND THE LOWLY EXALTED

Eze_17:24. The Proud Abased and the Lowly Exalted

"And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it."’97Eze_17:24.

The paragraph of which the text is the conclusion, evidently refers to the setting up of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. The metaphors employed are very striking and beautiful. It has been realized in part by the coming of the gospel reign, but its full accomplishment is reserved for that period when the Saviour’s name shall be great from the rising, &c. When all nations shall be blessed in him, and all people shall call him blessed, &c. In doing this, God is represented in our text as acting by a method different to that of worldly policy. Worldly men select and exalt the great and the flourishing, and despise the small and the weak. God, on the other hand, acts the very reverse, &c. We shall consider the text as exemplified,

I. In the history of his providence. Look at the antediluvians and Noah. They were the high and green trees,’97Noah and family, the low and the dry. No doubt the objects of derision and scorn. A whole world’s principles and conduct against them. Yet how fearfully did God fulfil the spirit of the text, in the doom of the old world, and in the preservation of Noah, &c.

(2.) There was Pharaoh and the Israelites. Pharaoh, the high green tree. Majesty, dignity, power, riches, were his. Degradation, toil, oppression, the lot of the Israelites. Their thraldom seemed irrevocably fixed. No dawning of hope, &c. But God steps forth, and how he brought down the high tree, &c. Let the rolling waters of the Red Sea expound the passage to all future generations.

(3.) There was Goliath and David. One a prodigy of Herculean size and strength. Clad in his apparently invincible armor. A man of war, &c. The other a youth of pastoral habits, whose life had been spent in tending his father’s flock on the mountains of Israel. Hearken to the challenge. See the combat, and how Jehovah teaches the stripling’s hands to war, &c.

(4.) There was Haman and Mordecai. Haman, the highest tree of all the princes of the Persian king. He was to have the homage of the people, and that by the express mandate of the king. Mordecai was the low tree, a private citizen, a Jew of no power or authority. These trees came in collision,’97who can doubt the result? Surely the high tree shall overcome, and the low tree be destroyed. The realization seems at hand,’97but, mark, Haman is executed, and ends his days in infamy,’97Mordecai is raised next in power and authority to the king. Let these instances suffice to show how, in the history of Divine providence, God has brought down the high tree, &c.

II. We see it in the history of the Lord Jesus Christ. A Messiah had been promised from the earliest period of time. He had been held up in prophecy, types, &c. The Jews had expected him for ages. At the time of the advent of Christ, their expectation was most intense and general. But observe, the Jews expected the high green tree. They expected earthly magnificence. They expected worldly power and authority. They expected an earthly kingdom. But Christ fulfilled the sayings of the prophets. Isa_53:1, &c. In all things he was the opposite of their desires, &c. Hence they killed him. Yet Christ, the low tree, &c., did God exalt, &c. He hath made him to flourish, &c. His name shall endure as long as the sun, &c.

III. We see it in the triumphs of the apostolic labors. The great founders of Christ’s kingdom go forth to set up Christianity. Look at the persons of the apostles,’97plain, illiterate, poor men. Not the high green tree. Not learned, affluent, or influential. Hearken to their message. What is it? Christ crucified. Not a religion of metaphysical subtleties. Not elaborate doctrines or profound dogmas of philosophy. Not a splendid system of pompous ceremony. But the lowly doctrines of the cross. Humility, self-denial, spirituality, &c. And what is the result? The high tree of paganism is brought down. The green tree of Judaism is dried up. The low tree of Christianity is exalted, and flourishes, and blesses every known civilized land, &c. How forcibly is this described’971Co_1:21-29. Look at its illustration,

IV. In the experience of the haughty, and of the penitential sinner.

The man of proud heart, exalted self-esteem. He despises God’s authority. Full of self-sufficiency,’97perhaps of self-righteousness. He may be the very realization of the Pharisees of old. See him lifting himself up as the high tree, boasting of himself as the green tree. I thank thee, O God, &c.

See the low tree of humble penitency. The poor publican self-convicted, self-abhorred. He is the dry tree, nothing to trust in, or to plead. He scarcely lifts up his eyes,’97he smites on his breast, and exclaims, God be merciful, &c. Mark the result. God rejects the high tree,’97he despises his work,’97he brings him low. He beholds with approbation the low tree, &c. He goes down to his house justified.

V. Look at it in the lives of the high-minded and of the lowly Christian.

Pride and self-sufficiency are the great temptations of the human heart. To be something. To do something. To be thought something. To exalt ourselves. How prone we are to this. Well, what is the result? God knows it will ruin us, if not eradicated. We must be brought low in mercy or judgment. He blights the worldly prospects. He reverses the dazzling scene. He sends repeated disappointments. Troops of crosses and troubles. Perhaps keen bereavements. And thus brings down the high tree, dries up the green tree, &c. If these fail, then he permits such to make shipwreck of faith, &c. Eternal judgment overwhelms them.

But behold the low tree, the dry tree. The lowly Christian says, "I am nothing." He lives by faith on the Son of God, &c. He abases himself, &c. He glories in the cross, &c. He makes mention of Christ’s righteousness, &c. He dwells in the dust. God exalts, blesses, makes fruitful, &c., lifts them up forever.

Application

1. Learn the evil of self-exaltation. Avoid it. Watch against it. Pray against it.

2. Be clothed with humility. What peace, safety, and honor are here.

3. God must have all the glory. See the text: also Dan_4:34.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS