The word of the LORD came to me, saying: “Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out my hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the LORD God. Ezekiel 14: 12-14, NRSV.
Dear LORD, please help us to get the message that is hidden in these verses, we pray; in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
How important it is for us to study Scripture the way God encourages us to study it, “Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? … For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line, upon line, here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28: 9, 10, NKJV). How else will we get the complete picture? Can you imagine stripping this text of its context, and allowing it to stand alone? What an incomplete picture of both the extent of Israel’s idolatry, as well as of, the ardent desire of God to save people!
We are not talking about a God who is vindictive, and pours our His anger upon His people, simply because He wants them to worship Him and Him alone; though He has every right to want them to worship Him only. After all, only He deserves our worship! He alone, is God, and Creator! But the truth of the matter is, what we, conveniently look at as vindictiveness, is really God allowing people to see for themselves, what their own sin has done to them.
If we should read the preceding chapters of Ezekiel we would see a pattern emerge: Israel rebels against God. God sends His messengers to warn them. God’s true messengers are ignored, while the soothing messages of the false prophets are embraced. The people persist in their evil ways; then piously, appear to inquire from God’s true prophets, about His will for their lives, while committing idolatry in their hearts (Chapters 12-14)!
What may be a bit difficult for us to understand is that God respects our decision to serve Him, or not to serve Him (Joshua 24: 15)! “If you prefer to serve the gods of the Amorites, then go right ahead… But choose!” On this occasion, God is explaining to His prophet the way He deals with disobedience. “If my people persistently, disobey me; like a parent who loves his or her child, and wants what is best for that child; I will discipline him or her. Some of these disciplinary measures may seem rather painful, but My bottom-line is to save them!” I will “seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols. Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the LORD God: ‘Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from your abomination…’ ” (Ezekiel 14: 5, 6, emphasis provided).
Did you see what I saw? It is their hearts that God wants. He loves them! He seeks their love in return. God knows that when we give Him our hearts, we are giving Him our wills; and it will facilitate our obedience to Him (Psalm 119: 9-11). Won’t you give Him your heart today? His greatest desire is to save you!
We will continue tomorrow!