Follow The Money

“I, the LORD, have spoken! The time has come, and I won’t hold back. I will not change my mind, and I will have no pity on you. You will be judged on the basis of all your wicked actions, says the Sovereign LORD.” [Ezekiel 24.14]

After Ezekiel 23 graphically describes Samaria and Jerusalem (the capitols of Israel and Judah respectively) as prostitutes, their judgement is pronounced. Ezekiel 24.14 are not words anyone would ever want to hear.

In contrast to the lewdness described in Ezekiel 23 of the sexual sins of Oholah and Oholibah, however, Ezekiel 23.37 reveals something that should pique further interest:

They have committed both adultery and murder—adultery by worshiping idols and murder by burning as sacrifices the children they bore to me. [Ezekiel 23.37]

Oholah's and Oholibah's adultery was not described as sexual misconduct but instead as worshiping idols!

There is also a statement in today's reading worthy of consideration relative to yesterday's reading and post in this blog (Where's Your Heart?):

You sat with them on a beautifully embroidered couch and put my incense and my special oil on a table that was spread before you. [Ezekiel 23.41]

In the aforementioned post from yesterday, it was suggested that their perfumes and incense and... their liquid offerings represented the currency of their day, i.e., their money. It was also pointed out that in giving these items to idols they were violating the First Commandment. Today's reading, in further confirmation of this suggestion, reveals that the currency of their day (perfumes, incense, etc...) was indeed God's (notice underline below):

You sat with them on a beautifully embroidered couch and put my incense and my special oil on a table that was spread before you. [Ezekiel 23.41]

It would appear that God views sexual sin (bad) as self-idolatry (worse). The "currency" of incense and perfumes reserved for God were instead "spent" on selfish pleasure in the case of the wicked sisters. Trusting anyone (including self) or anything for that which God said He would provide in His own way (as in the case of sexual pleasure in marriage), is idolatry. Incense and perfumes represent value, money if you will, whose expenditure reveals where we place our trust.

I will repeat my scripture reference from yesterday:

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. [Matthew 6.21]

The question is: "Has God already spoken to His people today: 'The time has come, and I won’t hold back. I will not change my mind, and I will have no pity on you...' ?"

There is good reason God's people should fear Him (and its not about respect)! Our money (the currency of our day) tells what we are worshiping as our god. Where we put most of our money sadly tells who our god is. Follow the money.

Father, I am getting a sense of this topic not being optional. May my money-trail reveal You as my God and my only God.