He said to me, “Do you see this, son of man? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they have committed here, that they have filled the land with violence and provoked Me repeatedly? For behold, they are putting the twig to their nose. “Therefore, I indeed will deal in wrath. My eye will have no pity nor will I spare; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, yet I will not listen to them.” (vv.17-18)
Like the Romans, the Jews believed that Jerusalem and the temple could never fall. They symbolized God’s presence and His covenant with His people, so surely He would never let anything happen to them, right? But they had neglected the truth that the covenant came with responsibilities. Their persistent sin presumed upon God’s patience and grace and dishonored His holiness.
Today’s reading gives us further details concerning Israel’s idolatry. In it, Ezekiel was given a vision of the evil going on in Jerusalem at that time. Chapter 9 continues the vision and depicts “six men” (guardian angels of the city), executing judgment on the wicked. Sin deserves God’s judgment. Since all of us are sinners, perfect justice means that all of us deserve death. But, thankfully, in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, God has provided a way by which we need not reap what we have sown.
The Truth: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Like the Romans, the Jews believed that Jerusalem and the temple could never fall. They symbolized God’s presence and His covenant with His people, so surely He would never let anything happen to them, right? But they had neglected the truth that the covenant came with responsibilities. Their persistent sin presumed upon God’s patience and grace and dishonored His holiness.
Today’s reading gives us further details concerning Israel’s idolatry. In it, Ezekiel was given a vision of the evil going on in Jerusalem at that time. Chapter 9 continues the vision and depicts “six men” (guardian angels of the city), executing judgment on the wicked. Sin deserves God’s judgment. Since all of us are sinners, perfect justice means that all of us deserve death. But, thankfully, in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, God has provided a way by which we need not reap what we have sown.
The Truth: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
