Reading: Ezekiel 14-16
And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God. But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was (Ezek. 16:14-15).
In chapters 14 – 16 of the Book of Ezekiel, God once again takes the nation of Israel to task. He begins by disclosing the inner motivations of the elders of Israel who came to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord (Ezek. 14:1). These men wore an outer cloak of righteousness, but God’s view of their hearts revealed to Him their dedication to idolatry and sin. Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols (14:4). Through Ezekiel, God explained that from this point forward he would meet idolatry with wrath; only true repentance and righteousness would be met with mercy (14:6-21).
Next, the Lord gives Ezekiel two parables that further illustrate the current state of Israel. In the first, He compares Israel to the bent and twisted vine tree (grapevine). The vine’s sole purpose was to bear fruit, just as Israel’s sole purpose had been to produce God’s ‘fruit.’ Having failed in that task, both were useless (15:1-8).
In the second, God paints a vivid and unflattering picture of Jerusalem's relationship with her Lord. He used terminology and mental imagery that would have been readily understand- able by the ordinary people of the day. It was a shocking tale designed to make the hearers recognize the gravity of their sins (16:1-63). Although we may cringe a little as we read the blunt words, if we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that much of what is being said still applies to many who self-identify as Christian today.
God is our Creator and Lord. He has given us everything we have. He has rescued us from certain death and offered us eternal life. All of our modern comforts, all of our talents and abilities, all of it comes from God. When we take our God-given talents and gifts and use them only to pursue our selfish desires, we become as guilty as the citizens of ancient Jerusalem. Without God, we would have nothing. Without God, we wouldn’t even exist. The Lord is not saying that we should not use our talents for work or recreation, only that He MUST be exalted in everything we do. God has given us these abilities for a reason, and He is the one to whom we need to turn to discover what that reason is. There is no greater joy to be found than in using our talents to their fullest extent in the service of God. Once you feel God's approval wash over you, you will never again seek the hollow accolades of the world.
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (1 Pet. 4:11).
Thought For Today:Accepting that God exists is only the first step toward faith; next, we must learn how to love and live with Him.
Christ Revealed:In the everlasting Covenant (Ezek. 16:60). He is the Mediator of a better Covenant (Agreement) (Heb. 8:6).
Word Studies:16:8 I spread My skirt over thee = symbolic of a covenant of marriage (Ruth 3:9; Deut. 22:30); 16:25 opened thy feet = offered yourself as a harlot; 16:30 imperious whorish woman = shameless prostitute; 16:31 eminent place = prominent public location; thou scornest hire = you refuse a fee; 16:43 fretted me = provoked me to anger.
Pray For : In Honor of Andrea Turner • Government Officials: Rep. Vincente Gonzalez (TX) • Country: Belize (340,844) Eastern coast of Central America • Major Languages: Spanish, Creole • Religious Freedom • 39.3% Roman Catholic; 30.9% Protestant; 1.6% Jehovah's Witness; 9.9% Other (Hindu, Muslim, Baha’i, Buddhism, Mormon); 3.1% Unknown; 15.2% None • Prayer Suggestion: Thank God for His mercy to cleanse us from all sins (Ps. 51:2).
Optional Readings:Revelation 9