We are not the first to have hidden idols, ones that have crept in, when we look back at Israel we ask ourselves why they did not see the issues, I think when we look back on our lives we could do the same, how do we get to where we can recognize when it happens in the present?
Ezekiel 7:19-22 (NIV)
They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the LORD's wrath. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin. They were proud of their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols and vile images. Therefore I will turn these into an unclean thing for them. I will hand it all over as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, and they will defile it. I will turn my face away from them, and they will desecrate my treasured place; robbers will enter it and desecrate it.
Here we have the Israel; God’s chosen
people, having a history full of miracles, forgetting the True God, and worshiping idols. They turned from God and God brought judgment in the form of
the Babylonians who carted all of the wealthy, educated, craftsmen, and
soldiers away into exile in foreign lands. Exiled Israel is full of stories
about how while in exile God became their sanctuary and he blessed them even in
the oppression they were in. They found refuge in God, there removal from
Israel allowed them to remember before they had a nation, they had a GOD!!!! If
we could get that in our spirit, oh, what we could do. Our possessions and
lands do not matter, only God.
But the remnant of Israel in Jerusalem
did not turn to God, they created idols and worshiped them, in visions Ezekiel
saw even the hidden idols that people were serving. Idols of wealth and
influence were rampant even among the priests. “I will turn my face away from
the people, and robbers will desecrate the place I treasure.” The Lord turned
away and allowed the sin to not only consumes them but to consume the Holy Place
(the temple, where God’s presence dwelled) in order to rid the city of the
sinful, and allow for the arrival of all those exiled that would burn for him.
The people in God’s nation, in his house, would not receive him, so he made way
for another group. This is what we see in the New Testament, God sends his son
to the Jews and is rejected and he makes way for the Gentiles. Jesus was
defiled with the sin of all persons in order to cleanse us, and remove sin so
that we may rebuild God’s kingdom. God allowed his Son to carry the sins of all
eternity to the grave. Jesus was being separated from the holy place (presence
of God) as he cried out, “Why have you forsaken me”. God will not reside in relationship
of sin. When our sins were on Jesus, God had no choice but to look away, just
as we see him do with the temple. He looked away not because of what Jesus has
done but what you and I had done. Just as Ezekiel saw all the sins that came
between Israel and God, what if we are honest, what did Jesus see in each one
of us?
did not turn to God, they created idols and worshiped them, in visions Ezekiel
saw even the hidden idols that people were serving. Idols of wealth and
influence were rampant even among the priests. “I will turn my face away from
the people, and robbers will desecrate the place I treasure.” The Lord turned
away and allowed the sin to not only consumes them but to consume the Holy Place
(the temple, where God’s presence dwelled) in order to rid the city of the
sinful, and allow for the arrival of all those exiled that would burn for him.
The people in God’s nation, in his house, would not receive him, so he made way
for another group. This is what we see in the New Testament, God sends his son
to the Jews and is rejected and he makes way for the Gentiles. Jesus was
defiled with the sin of all persons in order to cleanse us, and remove sin so
that we may rebuild God’s kingdom. God allowed his Son to carry the sins of all
eternity to the grave. Jesus was being separated from the holy place (presence
of God) as he cried out, “Why have you forsaken me”. God will not reside in relationship
of sin. When our sins were on Jesus, God had no choice but to look away, just
as we see him do with the temple. He looked away not because of what Jesus has
done but what you and I had done. Just as Ezekiel saw all the sins that came
between Israel and God, what if we are honest, what did Jesus see in each one
of us?
(1Peter 3:18) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the
righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.
righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.
God is a God of growth and pursuit, lay
down false idols and turn to him, he will use you as a worker to build his
kingdom. The death of Jesus allows us an intimate relationship with God,
ushering us into the presence of the Father, just as it is written, bringing us
to God.
Prayer:
Lord; forgive my sins, blessed be my
Savior Jesus. Lord remove false idols, destroy self, take my life, return me to
clay so that you can mold me. Give me strength to fill my life with you
allowing no room for anything ahead of you. Make your will my heart’s desire. I
love you Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment