Ezekiel 14:1-2 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. Then the word of the Lord came to me:
God’s message here is that He knows the heart. He knows when outwardly pious people are inwardly idolatrous. Those people, according to this passage, no longer have the privilege of God’s council.
Ezekiel 14:3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?”
God’s council is to repent and return, restore relationship with Him. False prophets say, “Don’t worry. You don’t have to do anything. God will save you.” These inwardly idolatrous men have replaced God in their hearts—and don’t we still do that today?—so the “don’t worry, don’t change” is the message they want anyway. But God wants relationship with us.
Ezekiel 14:4 “Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry.’”
Lord, Thank You for this look at Your “why.” Thank You for understanding that my understanding (or even seeing) the why helps me know You better. Thank You for a much deeper understanding of who You are throughout the Old Testament. Help me to remove any idols and stumbling blocks from my own heart so that I can draw closer to You. Amen.
Ezekiel 14:5 “‘I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’”
Have a blessed day. I love you.