Today’s Tasting:Ezekiel 13-15
Ezekiel is sharing God’s words and warning to the Jews in captivity in Babylonia. These people were worshiping false prophets with “False visions and lying divinations”. They were worshiping idols, placing their faith in magic “charms” and turning away from God.
God condemns the Idolaters:
4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry. 5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’
6 “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices! [Ezekiel 13:4-6]
The Lord tells the people of Jerusalem that they will be held responsible for their righteousness.
12 The word of the Lord came to me: 13 “Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its people and their animals, 14 even if these three men—Noah, Daniel[c] and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign Lord. [Ezekiel 14:12-14]
The Jewish captives of Babylonia were quick to follow and believe false prophets, would listen to the Lords words through Ezekiel but would not change their ways – almost as if they were counting on the righteousness of the prophets to save them from God’s judgment. This was not the case.
Today’s Nourishment:
- i·dol·a·try
īˈdälətrē
noun
noun: idolatry; plural noun: idolatries
- worship of idols.
| synonyms: | idolization, fetishization, fetishism, idol worship, adulation, adoration, reverence, veneration, glorification, lionization, hero-worshiping |
I think, much like the idol worshipers that Ezekiel spoke to, our society idolizes so many other things than our Lord, Jesus Christ. This could be anything from the tech gadgets we own, what kind of car we drive, silent [or verbal] competition with the neighbors about who has the best kept yard. We may even idolize things like how we look, what clothes we wear, and our reputations. All these things, I believe, or one form or another of idolatry.
We create barriers in our relationship with God when we worship the things of this world.
When reading these chapters, I confess, I thought to myself … I don’t idolize – I don’t worship statues and where “magic bracelets” and listen to the divinations of false prophets! However, when I read the synonyms like, adoration, reverence and glorification, I thought… ok maybe I don’t get off that easy.
I want you to do an interesting exercise with me to refocus your worship today. Make a list of things you revere, adore and glorify in your life.
What things do you hold dear?
Of these things, which strengthen your relationship with our Lord?
Which people/things/thoughts pull you away from His uplifting spirit?
When reflecting on your list, do you see anything on there that is replacing your worship of God in your life?
Let us glorify You, Jesus Christ. Let us revere in the knowledge that You are our Savior and Redeemer. Guide us while we evaluate the things we may be idolizing in our lives. We turn to You with full hearts as we eliminate these things. Let our adoration and worship of Your word replace these earthly things as we set our minds to the things above, we ask, in the name of the Lord. Amen.
Humbly,
Vanessa Long
Salt Lake City, UT
Wow Vanessa, this was great. You’re right we don’t realize how much we idol worship. This simple exercise was eye opening and I believe God sent. May our eyes be opened and repentance take place in our hearts today.