4"Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their ancestors
5and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the descendants of Jacob and revealed myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, "I am the Lord your God."
- P104
6On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.
7And I said to them, "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
8"‘But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.
9But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.
- P105
Some of the elders come to inquire of the Lord, but He refuses to be consultedby them. The Lord tells Ezekiel to remind them of their ancestors rebellion inEgypt: Though the Lord had been ready to pour out His wrath on them, Hehad not for the sake of His name. He had brought them out of Egypt to keepHis name from being profaned among the nations. - P105
Some of the elders come and sit before Ezekiel hoping to inquire of the Lord. However, God makes clear that He will not provide the information that the leaders are looking for. Instead of answering as they want, God tells them what they need to hear. We all want our own questions answered. - P106
We may ask because we are uncertain about something and uncertainties scare us. Other times, we ask to hear what we want to hear because we want the truth to align with our desires. However, we should not let ourselves be consumed by uncertainties or self-deception. Let us accept God’s Word over our lives even when it may not be exactly what we want to hear. - P106
Instead of answering any questions the elders might have, Ezekiel is in-structed to confront the people for their sins. God reminds them of theirhistory in Egypt. Although His people repeatedly violated the covenant anddefiled themselves by holding onto idols, God honored His covenant andwas faithful to save them from slavery and bring them to a beautiful landflowing with milk and honey. He was committed to them because of theircovenant relationship. - P106
We should never take the faithfulness of God forgranted. May we be quick to repent when we sin or rebel against God. Letus be grateful for the redemption made possible by Jesus Christ and remainfully committed to Him. - P106
Dear Lord, You are so faithful to me. Thank you for freeing me from the slavery of sin. May I respond continually with equal fervency to the great love and commitment You have for me. In Your name I pray, amen. - P107
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