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Judgment Declared

Day 6

                Ezekiel:  Chapter 6 & 7

Judgment Declared

Ezekiel is told by God to look toward the mountains of Israel and to prophesy against it. As we read chapter six and seven we realize this prophesy is a warning declared to the people of Israel because of their rebellion against God. It is not the mountains that Ezekiel looks at that is the object of God’s anger, but the people. The people of Israel built their idol worship centers on these mountains. They were guilty of not only defiling the sanctuary in Jerusalem, but also filling the land with their abominations against God.

God declares His judgment through Ezekiel — He will destroy the high places of idol worship in the land.  Their altars will be desolate and their idol images will be broken and men will be slain before their worshipped idols with their broken bones scattered about the altars.

The chosen people –Israel - were no different than the people of today. I think about the numerous times God warned Israel not to fall prey to worshipping idols — such as during the wilderness wanderings when they were attracted to Baal worship. Moses warned them that worshipping idol gods would bring about their ruin. Ezekiel reiterates the warning and history confirms God kept His promise of wrath on a un-repentive people. Yet, even with this historical record, America has fallen victim to worshipping idols. Repetitive of Israel’s abominations, we have built high places of idol worship across the land. Hearts are filled with wickedness, our streets are filled with bloody crimes, and sin is not only tolerated by the church, but embraced. Do we not mirror Israel with abominations of rebellion against the Creator? This should frighten us.

Yes, Israel was given to us as an example. But, not an example in which we were to follow in their every footstep, because they did not walk uprightly continuously.  But rather, an example to learn from —not only from their righteous doings along the way, but also, their shortcomings of erring into sin and the price of that error. I lament for our land when I see the indifference of the church towards billboards declaring there is no God, indifference towards lawsuits designed to bring down crosses and Ten Commandment monuments, as well as, indifference toward on-going campaigns to do away with other Christian relics and rights.

 Indifference to God appears to be the root of Israel’s abominations and their worship of idols. One cost that has remained the same with the coming and goings of recessions, depressions, inflations, financial booms, and the rising and falling of the stock markets is the price of sin. It remains the same as in the day of creation. Through all generations and all peoples the penalty of sin has not changed.

In Ezekiel, God promised a remnant would escape the judgment. There would be survivors that would be scattered throughout the countries.  These would be the ones God would use to achieve His ultimate purpose of the chosen people — and they would know that He is the Lord and does not speak in vain. God was broken hearted over Israel who chose to turn away from Him.

Ezekiel declares that God has called an end to their abominations and would judge Israel according to her ways. Ezekiel is lifted up between the earth and the heavens by the hand of God to see the great abominations of Israel both in Jerusalem and in the land. They people were filled with violence and wickedness and with a love for their silver and gold.  God detested their worship of idols and wicked hearts. The streets were filled with crime and blood.  Because of their rebellious ways God would destroy them. God declares that He will use the worst of the heathen nations to destroy Israel.

“Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there will be none.”