Ezekiel 41:18 - Homiletics

Cherubims and palm trees.

Ezekiel is here in the midst of his favorite imagery. But as there were no palm trees in the old tabernacle of the wilderness, nor in Solomon's temple, why does the prophet plant them among his cherubim?

I. THE FUTURE WILL BE VICTORIOUS . The old times were times of darkness, fear, difficulty, and strife. Even yet we are not out of the noise of the battle, and perhaps a more fierce conflict is gathering. But beyond all these is the peace of Divine victory assured to the servants of Christ. This was anticipated by the exultant Galilaeans, who spread palm branches before our Lord as he rode up to Jerusalem. Now, the vision of the palm trees should encourage patience and inspire energy. A splendid future is Before us; let us, then, press on with undimmed hope.

1. The palm tree is lofty . It shoots straight up and towers above the plain, a graceful and a conspicuous object. The happy future will be exalted and heavenly.

2. The palm tree bears all its fruit on its summit . It is a high, bare pillar, crowned with fruit and foliage. Men must climb to reach its treasures. The victory of Christian experience is not for those who grovel in earthly-mindedness.

3. The palm flourishes in the desert . It is the one fruitful tree of the desert. The victory of Christ over Satan was obtained amidst outward darkness and despair. His future victory over all evil may be among discouraging external signs. We need not despair of the human desert if the palm of Christ is there.

4. The palm tree requires water for its nourishment . It will not grow in the sandy wastes of the Sahara. The victory of Christianity depends on hidden supplies of the water of life.

II. THE VICTORY OF THE FUTURE WILL BE DIVINE . The palm tree is in the temple, planted among the heavenly cherubim. It is a bit of nature surrounded with things never found in nature. Christ's kingdom grows upon earth. The people of God are to flourish like the palm tree ( Psalms 92:12 ). But this prosperity is no mere natural growth of wild humanity; neither is it the cultivated product of secular education. The palm tree is not in the well-pruned and tended garden, but in the temple. It is through religion that we are led on by Christ to victory.

1. There is the conquest of evil . The palm tree is planted by the place of sacrifices—in the temple. We can only hope for a good future when the wrongs and sins of mankind, which are its greatest evils, are overcome.

2. There is dedication to God . The palm tree grows in a holy place. We must be devoted to God if we would enjoy his smile and favor. The highest glory will crown the work of the most devoted servant of Christ. At the monastery of Mar Saba, in the wilderness of the Dead Sea, a palm tree grows on a shelf of the rock high up a wild, barren cliff, and yet flourishes there and bears fruit, because—as the monks say—it springs from a date-stone sown by the saint who founded the monastery. True saints will grow palms of victory from the hardest lives.