Today, we lean our ear to the words of the Father Himself to the people of Israel and to the prophets who have the job of warning and protecting the people.
Ezekiel 14 begins as a message to the prophets who receive inquiry from the sinners of the land.
It’s in our own face.
The elders get a direct verbal spanking as they approach the prophet Ezekiel. Essentially, on their watch, the people are in complete disobedience to God. YHWH explains the simplicity of the problem. These men had:
Idols in their hearts, and
The Stumbling block of sin in front of their faces.
Come Home
The reason God is addressing this, is because He wishes for the house of Israel to return to His house, under His embrace.
So, He offers up the prescription that is NOT more cowbell. It is simply this:
Repent
Which, in this case, includes two facets:
Turn away from the idols.
Turn your face from the abomination of your sins.
This applies to the elders as well as every one in Israel (His Kingdom) plus any sojourners (people of the nations) who dwell with Israel.
Pay attention American Prophets
I believe these scriptures are meant to be a lesson to us and a lesson to America. YHWH speaks to the prophet and how he/she must fulfil the God-given responsibility; to tell the truth, even when it hurts.
If, in fact, we don’t relay God’s truth, we are deceiving ourselves. We will even be held equally responsible for the sin of the the people under our watch. The LORD tells us that the prophet will receive the same correction (punishment) as the sinner himself.
YHWH’s Vision for His People
“that the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, neither defile themselves any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God,” says the Lord Yahweh. - Ezekiel 14:11
All we who call on the name of YHWH need to seek His face and ask the loving Father to show us our sin, to reveal the idols of our heart, so we may smash them and worship in Spirit and Truth before His face.
Repent. The Kingdom is at hand!
My prayer:
Father I ask that you search me and show me any wicked way in my face. Blow through my heart and light it up with your holiness. Help me cast out any image of beastly idols (even disguised as angels of light). Clean out your temple and renew a right breath of God in me.
Send your people to seek out your prophets and to hear from you. Bring revival to the land of Israel and to the land of USA, as well as the world. Show forth your mercy over your lost sheep as we await the advent of your Messiah to judge and rule over all things.
Help our loved ones to return to you before you return to your bride. Halleluyah!
Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand... Jesus in Matthew 3:2
The list of sins, as well as unjust laws seems overwhelming. What a better time to cry for repentance?