Ezekiel 20-21
Why would people do it? Why would people want to make an
idol out of stone, wood, or metal and bow down and worship it as god when the
living God, the creator of heaven and earth wants a relationship with us. The
worship of idols blocks our relationship with God. He will not listen to us
when we come to Him if we are bowing before these false gods. Over and over again Israel worshiped the gods they
had made instead of worshiping the God who delivered them from slavery in
Egypt.
God withheld His hand from wiping out the Israelites several
times. Moses interceded and reminded God that the nations around would wonder
what kind of god He was if He delivered them out of Egypt only to wipe them out
in the desert. Israel was supposed to be an example for the other nations of
what it looked like for a nation to live in obedience to God. Instead they
rebelled and wanted to be like the other nations. God said; "But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of
my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations
in whose sight I had brought them out." (Ezekiel 20:22, NIV)
God brings judgment on Israel, but once again He reminds
them of His grace. He is going to disperse them and destroy their cities, but
He also promises to bring them back and to restore them as His people. "You will know that I am the Lord, when
I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and your
corrupt practices, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”"
(Ezekiel 20:44, NIV)
Thankfully God still deals with us for His name’s sake and
not according to our sin. Through the name of Jesus, because of His life death
and resurrection, we have salvation available to us. When we turn to God and
accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are purified by the blood of Jesus and
God sees us through His name instead of according to our evil past.
No comments:
Post a Comment