Ezekiel 39:23-24 - Homiletics

Sin and its consequences.

I. THE DREADFUL EVIL OF SIN . Pain is a mystery, but sin is a darker mystery. We instinctively shrink from death as the last dread enemy, but death is not so great a foe as sin. We must go to the Bible for a revelation of sin in its extent and its depth. The Greeks were acute thinkers on most subjects connected with human experience, but they were singularly obtuse to moral distinctions. In the Bible we see a true mirror held up to the world's sin. There we discover that events, which the secular historians would ascribe to political causes, have moral causes behind them. Thus the Captivity would seem to the eye of ordinary observers to be a natural result of the fanatical patriotism of a little mountain kingdom—the Montenegro of antiquity—when opposed to the irresistible march of a great conquering empire. But more lay behind. The corruption of the Jews made them an easy prey to their enemy, and their sin deprived them of the providential protection of God. This sin is seen in four aspects.

1. In relation to righteousness . It is iniquity. It is falling short of what is right, an unjust treatment of life, a living lie. The sinner is unequal. He does not truly balance his life. His whole being is corrupted and distorted.

2. In relation to God . It is a trespass against him. The prodigal confesses that he has sinned against Heaven, as well as in his father's sight ( Luke 15:21 ). David even describes the murder of Uriah as a sin against God only, so utterly does the transgression of God's Law swallow up all other considerations ( Psalms 51:4 ). Whenever we sin we directly rebel against our Father. Sin always has this ugly personal feature.

3. In relation to purity . Uncleanness.

4. In relation to law . Transgression.

II. THE DISMAL CONSEQUENCES OF SIN .

1. The loss of the vision of God . "Therefore hid I my face from them." This is the first consequence of sin. It is reaped immediately the soul falls away from God. Without holiness it is impossible to see him ( Matthew 5:8 ). To some it may seem a light penalty. Like Adam and Eve, they may even try to hide themselves from God. But the attempt is vain, because, though we may easily lose sight of God, he never ceases to behold us. Moreover, though we may not be aware of our loss, it is not the less great. But to the sensitive soul this spiritual consequence of sin is most bitter to endure. Such a one will beseech God not to hide his countenance, and will cry, "Take not thy Holy Spirit from me" ( Psalms 51:11 ). All joy and hope vanish from the Christian life when the sweet vision of God is darkened by sin.

2. Fearful external ruin . "And gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword." If men do not care for the present spiritual consequences of sin, other more easily recognized consequences will follow. The most blunt and hardened soul can be made to quake under the wrath of God.

In conclusion, observe that all this was to be known to the heathen,