January 17, 2023
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Reading along with us in Ezekiel? Here’s today’s reading:
Ezekiel 8 (NIV)
Idolatry in the Temple
1 In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign Lord came on me there. 2 I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal. 3 He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood..........Continue Reading
Ezekiel 8
Ezekiel 8
Ezekiel 8
Again the spirit lifts Ezekiel between Heaven and earth and he was able to see what God saw behind closed doors. God showed him all the evil things they were doing thinking God could not see them hiding within the House of Israel. God said I will deal with them with anger and no pity even though they are shouting in his ear he will refuse to hear them.
God lets us know that he is aware of everything we are doing even though people think that they are safe with their thoughts and deeds. God knows and sees all. No one is able to deceive him with any amount of hiding.
What an opportune time for God to give Ezekiel this vision as he sits with the elders of Judah, the ones we would presume to have influence over the state Judah finds themselves in. And in this vision, God gives Ezekiel a first hand look at the detestable practices that Judah has been participating in. They were worshipping idols within the temple of God. Those unfit to participate in the function of the temple were holding censers that only priests should hold. Israelite women were mourning to the fertility goddess Tammuz and the men were worshipping the sun. And this after constant warning of God’s displeasure about such things. It is no wonder that God brings judgement on them because everything else He has tried has failed. And to not do something would ultimately say something about what He thought about what they were doing.
Ezekiel 8
Ezekiel 8
Ezekiel 9
As Ezekiel sits with the elders of Judah, God shows him what they are doing in secret. He wants Ezekiel to see all their detestable practices so he can tell the people exactly why the Lord will bring destruction upon them. Psalm 90:7-8 We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
God takes Ezekiel on a tour of the sin happening among His people. Each corner, gate, and door God shows him sin and reminds us that God sees our whole life. There is no place we can hide sin from God. Even when we feel like He is not there, He always is and is aware of our heart.
Abominable idolatry IN the House of the Lord. God reveals to Ezekiel what is being done in the dark.
“For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.” Mark 4:22