Day226, August 14 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ezekiel 6–9
The End of Talking
When is it time to stop talking and start acting? The answer is when talking is useless, and deeds are necessary. Sometimes, we have to let people know who’s in charge. Before we jump the gun, however, we need to prove our cause is justifiable.
The LORD does not need to prove himself—he is God—he is always right! Nevertheless, on the eve of the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., he shows the prophet Ezekiel that he is right in using Babylon to wipe out Jerusalem.
Patience has its Limits
After waiting more than 100 years after the exile of Israel, sending prophets to warn the nation of Judah, and disciplining them over and over, more talking is useless. One day there will be an end of speaking, and God will allow Babylon to destroy Judah.
Has God been very patient with us? Has he talked and talked to us through the Bible, pastors, caring friends, or relatives, but we still haven’t listened? He longs to give us forgiveness, spiritual life, and peace if we turn to him from our sins. The LORD wants to favor us if we are obedient. Let’s not wait too long to turn from our sins and force him to act with justice.
God will destroy those who worship idols in the mountains of Israel! Jerusalem is the place they were to bring their offerings and where they were to pray to him alone.
Evidence of Evil
Then the LORD says Jerusalem’s end is sealed because of their continual evil. As evidence, the LORD grabs Ezekiel by the hair (in a vision) and takes him to Jerusalem. He shows Ezekiel what God’s people are doing behind closed doors, in the darkness, and even in Solomon’s temple. His purpose is to show the evil of the leadership, priests, women, and the rest of the people. He sees what is done in secret. God is going to judge them, and they and the exiles are going to learn that he is the Sovereign LORD.
The first thing Ezekiel sees is an “Idol of Jealousy” standing in the temple where God is supposed to be worshipped! This may have been an Asherah pole used in Baal worship. It was constructed and brought in during the days of Manasseh, but late in his life, he repented and had it destroyed. When King Josiah cleaned out the temple, however, the same idol was there again! The leaders and priests did not easily give up their idol worship. This “deity” may have been brought back into the temple during the present reign of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.1243).
The second thing Ezekiel sees is a secret door in the temple. Behind the door, the seventy elders of Jerusalem are worshipping “all kinds of crawling things and detestable animals and all the idols of the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 8:10, NIV). Pictures of these are portrayed on the walls. The elders have lost confidence in the LORD and are calling out to strange creature-like gods to save them. This is disgusting!
Third, Ezekiel sees women at the north gate of the temple mourning for Tammuz. Tammuz is a false god who is worshipped because it is believed he brings spring vegetation. Since there is a famine during the siege on Jerusalem, they believe Tammuz has died for that season and has not arisen to bring new life. So, they mourn for him. They do not repent and look to the true God for his provision (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., p.1244)Last, Ezekiel is taken into the inner court of the temple. At the entrance, twenty-five men (probably priests) are before the altar of the LORD. They are not burning sacrifices and confessing their sins and the sins of the people. They are worshipping the sun, facing east with their backs to the temple of the LORD!.
The leaders, priests, and women are not the only evil ones in Jerusalem; the rest of the people are also wicked idolaters. They have filled the land with violence and put branches in their noses (an apparent reference to Middle-Eastern worship (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., p.1244)).For these sins and more, the LORD is going to take action against Jerusalem, and his disciplining will begin at the temple. God hates hypocrisy and pride. Judgment always starts with his people.
Likewise, just because we claim to be Christians does not keep us safe from his discipline. We need a personal relationship with him, and we need to fear the LORD and walk in his ways.
Protection
God will, however, have mercy on some in Jerusalem. Those who fear the LORD will have a mark or seal placed on their forehead, and he will not destroy them.
Today, real followers of Christ have the Holy Spirit’s seal placed upon them until the Day of Redemption. They will not suffer the everlasting destruction of hell-fire but will have the eternal life of bliss with Jesus and all believers (2Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).Do you have the seal of God? If so, praise him, seek to please him, and do not grieve him by your lifestyle. If not, why not get right with him and be saved?
What about the rest of the people in Jerusalem—will they all be lost? Will they be destroyed? Yes— God tells Ezekiel that it is too late—Jerusalem is beyond hope.
If any of us are living, however, it is not too late. After death is the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). when every man and woman will be judged. Christians will be judged at the Judgment seat of Christ (2Corinthians 5:10). ), and non-Christians will be condemned at the Great White Throne somewhere in outer space. (Revelation 20:11-12,15; 21:8, NIV).Here is the good news: If we turn to God from our sins, he offers us forgiveness, spiritual life, and peace. He wants to bless us, not harm us. The Apostle Peter says that God is “patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2Peter 3:9, NIV).
Discussion
When is it time to stop talking and start acting?
What evidence of evil did God show Ezekiel? What evidence of darkness do we see today?
How can we be protected from God’s condemnation?
Focus Verse
Psalm 80:19 (NIV) “Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.”
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Looking Ahead: The people in Jerusalem were clinging to A Vain Hope. What was it? How can we keep from doing the same thing? Join us for our Next Lesson.
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