Ezekiel 11:16

In trying to understand the great promise of the text, note—

I. The idea of asylum and protection. "I will be as a little sanctuary." "I will be the shield and protector and sure refuge of trusting souls." Is not this what every awakened soul needs and seeks? Some safe, sure refuge from all that threatens, afflicts, alarms; from the thunders, loud or deep, of broken law; from the accusations of conscience, from the troubles of life, from the terrors of death—asylum from them all? A true and real relief in all soul-trouble—in anything that agitates a man's deepest consciousness; in anything that touches the health, and so the safety of the soul, can be found only in one way—by moving Godwards, and entering, although it may be at first with fear and trembling, into the built and open sanctuary of His presence.

II. A sanctuary means, also, at least in the nomenclature of the Scriptures, a place of purification, where we may wash and be clean; and may so avail ourselves of the helps to goodness which are provided, that the rest of our time may be pure and holy. Our very words tell us this. "Sanctity;" "sanctification"—a sanctuary is not equal to its name if it does not promote these. Safety is a poor, even a mean, thing, if it be indeed conceivable, without purity.

III. A further idea in the word sanctuary is the idea of nourishment. A hospice for the entertainment of strangers, or any hospitable house, is never without bread. And will not God feed His refugees? Will He be a little sanctuary in which they may die? On His table there is bread enough and to spare.

IV. This is a text (1) for all our changes of place, for our journeys, for our absences. It is a text to take round the world with us if we are going. "I will be to them as a little sanctuary—" where?—"in the countries where they shall come." (2) In all states. For all times and for all troubles and for all needs, there is a present, gracious God, with all His grace also present, to heal, to help, to love unto the end.

A. Raleigh, The Little Sanctuary, p. 1.

References: Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 11:20.—G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons, p. 156. Ezekiel 11:21.—G. Gilfillan, The Dundee Pulpit, p. 161. Ezekiel 12:6.—J. M. Whiton, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xxx., p. 166. Ezekiel 12:27.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xx., No. 1164. Ezekiel 13:7.—Clergyman's Magazine, vol. xi., p. 143. Ezekiel 13:10.—G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons, p. 158. Ezekiel 13:10, Ezekiel 13:11.—C. J. Thompson, Penny Pulpit, No. 675; J. Baines, Sermons, p. 201. Ezekiel 13:10-12.—Spurgeon, Ibid., vol. xiv., No. 816.