Read Ezekiel 8:1-18
We have a new time stamp for this reading. This new series of visions came to Ezekiel about a year after the first ones back in Chapter 1. This time, Ezekiel was in his house spending time with leaders of Judah who had also been taken into exile. Thankfully it doesn’t sound like they were in shackles or anything.
I imagine Ezekiel was quite surprised to be whisked away by the Spirit and taken back to Jerusalem. He describes it like a teleporting experience you’d see in a sci-fi thriller! Here one minute, gone the next only to appear in a different scene. Did you wonder if the leaders noticed he was gone or if this was just a mental excursion?
It was a real glimpse at the further downfall of the people of Israel. Ezekiel had to feel privileged that God chose to share these scenes with him, even if the sights were unsettling. If anyone ever wonders what displeases God, idols are always a correct answer.
Our God is jealous. He wants us to be as crazy about him as he is about us. Yet too many times we let the ways of the world interfere with our devotion. We use excuses like “I’m too busy” or “God knows I love him.”
It’s also clear we cannot hide from God. He sees everything we do, even those secret dreams and desires. The LORD told Ezekiel about what these people were doing. “They are saying, ‘The LORD doesn’t see us; he has deserted our land!’” Did they really think the LORD did not see? Even if he had left the land, which had hadn’t, God knows and sees everything.
God’s patience with his people has run out. Have you ever come to the end of your rope with someone behaving badly? I’ve witnessed plenty of children, and even adults, “stomping off” in one way or another when they don’t get their way. In those situations, people usually act on impulse due to hurt feelings or frustrations brewing hot. God had given his people plenty of opportunities to do the right thing and still idols were popping up everywhere.
When we draw close to the heart of God, we can’t help but feel his pain and disappointment. We can look around our world today and see how idols are blinding people to God’s love and grace. Are there any idols getting in the way of your relationship with God?
Let’s pray. LORD, my heart breaks when I see how people ignore you, both then and now. The more time I spend with you, the more you reveal to me your truth. I feel so privileged to be your child. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that relationship. I want to draw closer to you and act in ways that please you and make you smile. Help me stand strong against temptations and lures to accept sinfulness in this world. I trust you with my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
