August 30 - Ezekiel 7-9
In this passage Ezekiel continues to drive home the message of God to the people of God in exile. He is very clear when he points out that God is judging them because of their sinful actions, and that He is doing this so they will know He is Lord. Their pride has risen up, and they have defiled the secret place of God. (7:10,22) They have filled the land with crimes of blood. (7:23) He is still reminding them of their sins, so they will come to repent.
However, perhaps there were some who were saying that Ezekiel did not know what he was talking about. Maybe, their memories of all of the sins were fading. In chapter 8 we find Ezekiel gathered in his home with the elders of Judah. Suddenly, God's hand is on him, and he has a very clear vision of the sins of the people in the Temple and in Jerusalem. He describes them in great detail to the elders. They could no longer say that they did not remember their sins and Ezekiel did not know what he was talking about. In fact, they were known to say that God did not even see what was happening, and they could not say that either. (8:12) What a stark presentation of their abominations, and I am sure it made a great impact on them to hear it described in detail by a person who was not there to see it personally. This vision reminds us that each of us will have to stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives. Yes, our sins are forgiven if we are believers, but we still have to see our lives and what God thinks of how we lived. Make no mistake. He knows it all. He will not leave any of it out. He is looking for our fruit or lack of fruit. If we don't think God sees all we do in the dark and in secret, we will be very surprised on that day.
Finally, we see two more things. The glory of the Lord was in the Temple, but His presence begins to depart. (8:4; 9:3) This shows that God can't stand to stay in the presence of such blatant sin and rebellion. Then, he sends out an angel to mark the ones who were grieved over the sins, so they would not be killed. However, He gives the orders to kill the rest. This is a reminder that death was the wages of their sins. God spared the repentant, but the rest were subjected to His wrath. I wonder if we are living in such a time today. Is the glory of God departing from His people, because of our sins? Is He beginning to pour our His anger on the unrepentant? There are many signs around me that make it appear that this could be the case. I believe God is watching to see if His people will repent and turn back to Him. Then, He can come in His fullness to pour out a blessing instead of punishment.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 10-12.
However, perhaps there were some who were saying that Ezekiel did not know what he was talking about. Maybe, their memories of all of the sins were fading. In chapter 8 we find Ezekiel gathered in his home with the elders of Judah. Suddenly, God's hand is on him, and he has a very clear vision of the sins of the people in the Temple and in Jerusalem. He describes them in great detail to the elders. They could no longer say that they did not remember their sins and Ezekiel did not know what he was talking about. In fact, they were known to say that God did not even see what was happening, and they could not say that either. (8:12) What a stark presentation of their abominations, and I am sure it made a great impact on them to hear it described in detail by a person who was not there to see it personally. This vision reminds us that each of us will have to stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives. Yes, our sins are forgiven if we are believers, but we still have to see our lives and what God thinks of how we lived. Make no mistake. He knows it all. He will not leave any of it out. He is looking for our fruit or lack of fruit. If we don't think God sees all we do in the dark and in secret, we will be very surprised on that day.
Finally, we see two more things. The glory of the Lord was in the Temple, but His presence begins to depart. (8:4; 9:3) This shows that God can't stand to stay in the presence of such blatant sin and rebellion. Then, he sends out an angel to mark the ones who were grieved over the sins, so they would not be killed. However, He gives the orders to kill the rest. This is a reminder that death was the wages of their sins. God spared the repentant, but the rest were subjected to His wrath. I wonder if we are living in such a time today. Is the glory of God departing from His people, because of our sins? Is He beginning to pour our His anger on the unrepentant? There are many signs around me that make it appear that this could be the case. I believe God is watching to see if His people will repent and turn back to Him. Then, He can come in His fullness to pour out a blessing instead of punishment.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 10-12.