SCRIPTURE: EZEKIEL 14
IDOLATORS CONDEMNED (vs. 1-23)
Elders, Israelites or any aliens living in Israel who set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces are forbidden to seek prophet and inquire God. The Lord himself will answer them telling them to repent, turn from their idols and remove all the detestable practices.
If the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, he will be destroyed by God among the people. They will bear their guilt – the prophet will be as guilty as the one who consults him. Then the people of Israel will no longer stray from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” (vs.9-11)
JUDGMENT INESCAPABLE (vs. 12-23)
- Those unfaithful to God will have no food and experience famine. (v. 14)
- When the wild beast were in a land, no one can pass through it. Even if Noah, Daniel and Job were, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved but the land would be desolate (vs. 15-16)
- When a sword pass throughout the land and kill its men and their animals, even Noah, Daniel or Job could not save their own sons or daughter. They alone would be saved. (vs. 17-18)
- If a plague is sent to that land through bloodshed, killing its men and their animals, they could only save themselves by their righteousness. (vs. 19-20)
The Lord is sending 4 dreadful judgments – sword, famine, wild beast and plague – against Jerusalem. But there will be some survivors, sons and daughters who will be brought out of it.
THOUGHTS:
The prophet saw idols in the temple of Jerusalem. There were also idols in the hearts of the elders in Babylon. They pretended to be spiritual by inquiring from Ezekiel for advice but God saw their hearts. On the outside, they appeared to worship God, making regular visits to the Temple to offer sacrifice, but they were insincere. It is about time for us to examine ourselves if we have idols in our hearts or not. When we pursue reputation, acceptance, wealth or sensual pleasures with intensity and commitment, then they will become our idols.
Noah, David and Job were the three great men in Israel’s history. But even the three great men of God could not save the people of Judah because God had already passed judgment on the nation’s pervasive evil.
Nobody can intercede to save Jerusalem. Thus, the relationship of our pastors, family or friends have with God will not protect us for the consequences of our own sin. Each person is responsible for his or her own relationship with God. Your faith with God should be personal and real, not resting in what others have done.