Ezekiel 14:10 - Homiletics.

The prophet's punishment.

The prophet is to be punished equally with the rest of the people, because his guilt is equal to theirs. The pleas and excuses which he might suggest are all swept away as so many refuges or lies.

I. ECCLESIASTICAL RANK . There was a recognized professional distinction between the prophets and the people; the prophets belonged to a separate order. But "orders" have no saving efficacy. The status of the Christian ministry affords certain earthly privileges, while it confers certain spiritual obligations. But it is only economic, temporary, and for this world's service. Before God the distraction between cleric and laic vanishes, and each soul stands in its simple human character. God judges an archbishop as a man, not as a dignitary. His office appertains to his powers and dudes, the talents for which he will have to account. But in this respect it is like the office of any other person—a measure for his service, not a shelter for his sinfulness. In the world beyond the grave each soul is but a soul; rank and office are left behind like castoff vestments. Therefore the sinful ecclesiastic will be treated as any other sinner.

II. DIVINE GIFTS . The false prophets of Ezekiel's day do not appear to have had any peculiar Divine gifts. They were mere pretenders. But even those men who are especially endowed are not to consider themselves as thereby lifted above common standards of judgment. The prophet of Bethel was a true messenger from God, yet a lion met him in the way and slew him for his disobedience ( 1 Kings 13:26 ). The apostle may "have the gift of prophecy," yet if he "have not charity" he is "nothing" ( 1 Corinthians 13:2 ).

III. KNOWLEDGE . If the prophets did not know the right way, they should have made themselves acquainted with it, for they were supposed to hold the keys of revelation. But as the signpost never reaches the city to which it is constantly pointing, the man who knows the way, and who is capable of showing it to others, may yet be never treading it himself. Then his knowledge will not save him. It is the same in respect to those who are enlightened by Divine teaching, though they are not called upon to teach others. A clear conception of "the plan of salvation" will not save a man. If a prophet will be punished like any other man, surely the merely orthodox believer in the dogmas of the Church will stand in a similar position of peril if he does not add practice to creed.

IV. POPULARITY . Those guilty prophets of Israel were popular men. Their doom was to suffer the fate of the people they fawned upon. A moment's reflection must make it apparent that the favour of the world, and even the favour of the Church, are no guarantees for the favour of Heaven; for men may be deceived or may judge by low, unworthy standards. But appearances are so flattering that people fall into the snare, and take comfort from the thought that all is going well with them among men. The one vital question is, "How do we stand before God?"