But as for those who long for vile images and detestable idols, I will repay them fully for their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” [Ezekiel 11.21]
What does this mean? What are the vile images and detestable idols that are sin unto the people mentioned?
Because here in this passage we have no definition of what the vile images and detestable idols are, we might better identify them by studying the contrast of what they are not. Look at the preceding verses:
“When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. [Ezekiel 11.18-20]
Those who are truly God's people are not encouraged to pursue a tender, responsive heart! Instead, they are encouraged to remove vile images and detestable idols. As a result, God said He would give a tender, responsive heart - a new spirit. But, God will only give these benefits when the people first remove the vile images and detestable idols.
So, in getting back to what the vile images and detestable idols actually are, we have no indication here in this particular passage of scripture. However, we can be certain we have NOT removed these things (whatever they are) if our hearts remain hard and stubborn. Only when we recognize a change of heart within ourselves can we be sure we have effectively removed vile images and detestable idols.
We are tasked then with understanding what vile images and detestable idols are by the active removal of anything that might be classified as such and seeing then what the results are of having removed them. Are we willing to do that? Is having a tender, responsive heart (truly being God's people) important enough to us that we would "test" all things we hold on to just to see if their removal yields a recognizably tender, responsive heart?
What price are we willing to pay to enjoy a tender, responsive heart?
Jesus said:
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. [Matthew 16.24 NKJV]
Father, May I be found willing to remove any, and even everything, from my life in order to enjoy a tender, responsive heart.
1 comment:
Amen brother thx for the word and yes very thought provoking. This is exactly the type of word I love to read from you brother one that gets our creative and deep diving thoughts to rolling. I love the thought of diving into my own actions and things in my love to evaluate and give it up to God, not just the clear things that are probably not of Him but EVERYTHING. We cast out everything in our lives till we know we have cast out al bile and detestable things. I wish to only live in His presence with a soft and tender heart.
Father show us how to give all things over to you and guide us to nothing but your presence the rest of our lives.
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