2Then the word of the Lord came to me:
3"Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?
- P48
Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry.
5I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’
- P48
6"Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices! - P49
9"‘And if the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, I the Lord have enticed that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel.
10They will bear their guilt—the prophet will be as guilty as the one who consults him.
11Then the people of Israel will no longer stray from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people, and I will be their God, declares the
- P49
Some of the elders come to Ezekiel, and the Lord declares that those whoset up idols in their hearts and consult with a prophet will face His judgmentin keeping with their idolatry. The Lord warns that such idolaters and theprophet who is enticed to utter a prophecy will be destroyed, so that Israelwill no longer stray from the Lord. - P49
Some of the elders visit Ezekiel, hoping to hear a word from the Lord. However, God knows that these men have set up idols in their hearts. These idols are wicked stumbling blocks that affect their relationship with Him. When we allow idols to rule our hearts, these stumbling blocks can make it difficult to hear God clearly in our prayers. This does not mean that we should be discouraged from approaching God. - P50
When we humbly repent, acknowledging our sins and idolatry, and turn our hearts back to Him, our loving Father offers us the grace of forgiveness. And we will begin to have more clarity in our prayers as we are renewed and restored in our relationship with Him.
- P50
Although the Israelites have strayed from God and set up idols in theirhearts, they think that they can continue to go to a prophet for guidanceand assurance. But God declares that the Israelites and any prophet whooffers a false prophecy will bear the consequences of their sins. - P50
We cannotcontinue to do things that we know are wrongour relationship with God. Rather than struggling with sin on our ownand expect to maintainor trying to hide it, God wants us to come to Him, confess our sins, andallow Him to help us overcome our sins through the strength He provides.
- P50
When we finally learn not to stray from Him, we demonstrate that we areHis people and that He is our God.
Wh - P50
"Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consumesin, or sin will choke prayer." -J. C. Ryle - P50
Father, thank you for the grace to come to You and receive Your forgiveness. I confess that I am sometimes tempted to set up idols in my heart. By Your strength, help me not to stray from You. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen. - P51
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