We Won't "See" Unless We "Look"

Then the LORD said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked, and there to the north, beside the entrance to the gate near the altar, stood the idol that had made the LORD so jealous. “Son of man,” he said, “do you see what they are doing? Do you see the detestable sins the people of Israel are committing to drive me from my Temple? But come, and you will see even more detestable sins than these!” Then he brought me to the door of the Temple courtyard, where I could see a hole in the wall. He said to me, “Now, son of man, dig into the wall.” So I dug into the wall and found a hidden doorway. “Go in,” he said, “and see the wicked and detestable sins they are committing in there!” So I went in and saw the walls covered with engravings of all kinds of crawling animals and detestable creatures. I also saw the various idols worshiped by the people of Israel. [Ezekiel 8.5-10] 

The Church today only wishes the writings of the Old Testament prophets like Ezekiel had no significance to them. But it will be pointed out here that the words of these prophets have as much or even more relevance to God's people today than they had to the ancient people of Israel and Judah.

The significance of the passage above to the Church today is that never before has idolatry been more prevalent among God's people (the alleged 'Temple of God in Christ') than in this present day.

Whether God's people today "see it" or not, man's industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology have effectively flooded them - the "Temple of God" - with idols that provoke God to furious jealousy. God told Ezekiel "Do you see the detestable sins the people of Israel are committing to drive me from my Temple?"

Whether we view this as an indictment against the present-day institutionalized Church or against every single individual among "God's people," the jealousy-provoking offense against Almighty God is the same: He is being driven from His Temple - displaced by idols. In fact, based on the powerless condition of the Church today, it could be more accurately concluded that God has been driven from His Temple (past tense).

This "revelation" makes painfully clear Jesus' repeated warnings about divided allegiance and faithlessness. It also provides the antithetical backdrop for man's faithlessness (idolatry), providing contrast to Jesus' miracles.

THINK! If it made God jealous that idols had been brought into the Old Testament Temple, how much more jealous does it make Him when the New Testament Temple, opened up by Jesus - the heart of man, is filled with idols?

God's people can argue to their heart's content that finance, insurance, medicine and technology are not idols, but they are lying to themselves. The test to see if something is an idol is simply this: can we - will we - live without it? Who today is willing to give up their interest-imposing loans? Wo today is willing to give up their premium-demanding insurance? Who today is willing to give up their costly repeating prescriptions? Who today is willing to give up their expensive technology? Who indeed is willing to comply with Jesus' unbending demand:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

You see, "giving up..." is not actually a "test" but is a "demand." It is, in fact, what 'seeking God's Kingdom first' looks like. And, it carries God's promise that He will provide:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33]

While Ezekiel's writings had undeniable application to ancient Israel and Judah, God was looking much further ahead! God's Word through Ezekiel speaks directly to the heart of God's followers today. By His Word, God is still asking, "do you see what they are doing?"

We won't "see" unless we sincerely "look." To sincerely look means to concur that the ancient writings of the Bible are in every way relevant to us today. As idolatry was the problem then, it is even more so the problem today. We "say" we believe the Bible, but, do we?

Father in heaven, Your Word is amazing. How You inspired ancient writers to pen words so relevant to us today is absolutely remarkable! Help us to see that as ancient Israel was tasked to give up their idols then, so we are tasked to give up our idols today. May we then be found giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. May Your undeniable power return to Your people. So be it.