Eyes And Ears

And the LORD said to me, “Son of man, take careful notice. Use your eyes and ears, and listen to everything I tell you about the regulations concerning the LORD’s Temple. Take careful note of the procedures for using the Temple’s entrances and exits. [Ezekiel 44.5] 

Up to this point in my spiritual journey, "eyes and ears" have certainly carried meaning. However, in most recent revelations about "eyes and ears" as they relate to idolatry, their inclusion in the passage above encourages deeper thought...

Question: Why is Ezekiel writing about regulations for the Temple at this point in time when those regulations had already been established for many years?

Answer: Because the blinding and deafening effect of idolatry had rendered previous regulations unseen and unheard.

Israel's prevailing and recurring sin, as recorded in the Old Testament, was idolatry. In fact, the context of Ezekiel 44 confirms this statement. Early on, the Psalms contained wording regarding idols that included the functions of seeing and hearing:

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 115.4-8]

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have  mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18] 

When God's people look to or listen to idols, they are blinded to the truth of God's Word. They are effectively rendered powerless. And, unless they make a dedicated effort to turn to God and the Truth of His Word by turning away from idols, God's people will remain in their powerless, Godless condition. Could this be what the apostle Paul warned Timothy about?

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! [2 Timothy 3.5]

If we simply look at the context of Paul's warning to Timothy, we see the perfectly accurate description of people given to idolatry: a people resigned to wholesale self-centeredness at the expense of focusing on God:

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. [2 Timothy 3.1-4]

It is furthermore noteworthy that, the end of 2 Timothy 3 concludes with these words confirming that only God's Word carries the power to make us realize (see and hear?) what is wrong in our lives:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. [2 Timothy 3.16] 

Ezekiel's repeat of Temple regulations in the subject passage above is therefore no mistake or oversight. It confirms to us that we must return to God's Word - even at the risk of being repetitious - so that we might break free from the blindness and deafness cast upon those sold to idolatry.

It's not enough to just go to church. God's people must KNOW His Word. Otherwise, they are given over to the blindness and deafness of idolatry. They will not experience the unmistakable, distinct power of God but instead have to rely on man-made idols - even going so far as to deceptively console themselves that their idols are "gifts from God."

Go to the Word!

Father, I have no hope as I read through the Bible this year that the subject of idolatry will go away. I know what is coming - Jesus, in the New Testament, will be demanding 100% allegiance to Himself demanding that I forsake all other dependencies... Help me - help Your people - to see and hear the truth of Your Word understanding that these functions are ONLY enabled as we passionately turn to Your Word as written... and as lived by Jesus! So be it.