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Hello, my “Walking with Jesus” friends on this Thursday.
When we hear the word ‘corruption’ what pictures come into our minds these days? The violent drug cartels of Mexico; Human traffickers sneaking people across the borders; corrupt governments of third world nations; or high-ranking elected officials in sophisticated western nations who have succumbed to bribery or blackmail? Join me again in the great city of Babylon, 2600 years ago, with the Jewish prophet Ezekiel, in captivity, as he receives a message from God which is as relevant today as it was then. This new message, recorded by Ezekiel in chapter 8, is about corruption even among people who claim to be God honoring people!
You’ll recall yesterday we looked at Ezekiel 7 and God’s warning that severe judgment would soon be unleashed by God through invading armies which would decimate the LAND of Israel and slaughter and take captive the PEOPLE of Israel, even though both were beloved by God as His Covenant Land and Covenant People. If you read through all of Ezekiel 7 God’s words to Ezekiel very graphically described the God promised, soon coming, experience of judgment for all of Israel, but especially Jerusalem and Judah. Now today we’ll see that Ezekiel 8 is further explanation of WHY God was sending judgment on the people and place He loved! It’s very important for us to understand, because that which caused God’s judgment 2600 years ago is so very prevalent and widespread today in our world!
Ezekiel was evidently having a meeting with some of elders of the Jewish captives when suddenly his unexpected vision from God occurred. That’s important because it suggests these leaders recognized God was speaking to them through Ezekiel. I remind you friends that Visions happen while we are awake, Dreams happen when we are asleep, and God has often used BOTH to communicate His important messages to people.
Ezekiel gives us this record of this amazing experience: “…while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign LORD came upon me. I looked and I saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal. He stretched out what looked like his hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up…and in visions of God He took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood. And there before me was the glory of the God of Israel…” (Ez. 8:1-4)
What do you see in this vision experience of Ezekiel, my friends? You’ll remember that the one place in the entire world that should be most sacred and holy, by God’s design and plan, was the Temple of God in Jerusalem. After its construction, during the early years of King Solomon’s reign, a great dedication service was held and God sent fire from heaven to the altar of burnt sacrifice, and the cloud of God’s Holy Presence descended upon and filled the Temple. (2 Chronicles 7:1,2)
But through the decades, corrupt kings and the Jewish people found themselves fascinated by the wicked idol worship of nations which lived around them, and even though these idols were man-made statues of all shapes and sized, Jewish kings and priests allowed them to be built in Jerusalem and even at the entrance to the great Temple of God! It was a profound defilement of God’s holy temple and evidence of corruption both at the highest level of government and religion in Jerusalem!
This particular idol, at the north entrance to the Temple area, was likely an Asherah pole. Similar to a totem pole these poles, used in worship of the false god Asherah, featured occult and sexually immoral carvings. It was a direct assault on the holiness of God, the sanctity of marriage and the sacredness of God honoring procreation. These poles aroused the jealousy of God who longed for the love, allegiance and sacred worship of His beloved Israel.
For Ezekiel I’m sure the overpowering glory of God awakened great shame for the moral and spiritual corruption in Jerusalem as evidenced by this idol at the Temple entrance. God said something very powerful to Ezekiel in that moment: “Do you see the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive Me far from My sanctuary?” (Ez. 8:6) Oh my friends, we must grasp the significance of this statement. Our involvement in wickedness pushes God away from us!
Paul called first century Christians to consider the response of God to wickedness in His people with these words: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph. 4:27,30) Lifeless idols of wood or stone, made and worshiped by God’s people, were a horrific, direct rejection of God and the embracing of the dark kingdom by His people! It was true in Jerusalem 2600 years ago and it’s just as true today in your city and mine.
Oh, I can hear you my friends: ‘But wait a minute, there are no Asherah poles in my city, especially not near churches!?” No, probably not, but what would be the modern equivalent of church going people involved in things that defile God and blaspheme His holiness? What about pornography? Porn images were celebrated on Asherah poles! Or what about abortion? Images of child sacrificing were carved on Asherah poles. Now pause and think about that a minute and think about the people streaming in and out of the churches in your town and mine!
Ezekiel’s vision continued and next God showed Ezekiel corruption in the leadership of Jerusalem, especially those men raised to positions of influence and authority who should be examples of integrity, honesty, holiness in their lives and their leadership work. God said to Ezekiel: “…have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, ‘The LORD does not see us…” (Ez. 8:9-13)
Almost every day private corruption and deceit of highly influential people is put on display, in courtrooms and on social media. Bribery, adultery, hidden secrets of the past etc. Shamed leaders are removed from their roles, sometimes even sent to prison. Sadly, it even happens among religious leaders, doesn’t it? Amazing how relevant Ezekiel’s chapter 8 vision is to our day, our cities, isn’t it?
Finally, toward the end of chapter 8, Ezekiel hears this question from God: “Is it a trivial matter for the people of Judah to do the detestable things they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence and continually arouse My anger?” (Ez. 8:17) So my friends, is it possible God is asking the very same question over your city and mine?
What are the morally ‘detestable things’ happening in your town? What is the level of violence in your city and mine? Is corruption of heart and mind captivating adults and children in our towns? Are these things viewed as TRIVIAL in our towns? Is there widespread rejection of God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s appeal to humanity to turn from our wickedness and turn to Jesus for radical change in dealing with the corruption in our lives?
God then spoke these concluding words to Ezekiel in this vision: “Therefore I will deal with these people in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in My ears, I will not listen to them.” (Ez. 8:18) When the loving discipline of God turns to justice judgment it’s a very serious matter, isn’t it my friends? That’s why now, with God’s arms still open, it’s so important that we turn to Him.
Peter said it this way: “The LORD is not slow in keeping His promises…Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to Him in repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Aren’t we so very grateful Jesus Christ still invites us EVERYDAY to come to Him and He is ready to break the shackles of those things which are destroying our lives and Jesus will give us entirely new lives of hope and victorious living in Him?!
Here’s a powerful song which celebrates these great truths my friends, and I hope it’s true of you and me today!
Today’s Scripture: Ezekiel 8.
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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