Book of Ezekiel: Chapter 8
Another vision of God provides the content for chapter 8 of Ezekiel. In this vision, God lifts Ezekiel by the hair and transports him to Jerusalem. There he witnesses many occasions of the sin of idolatry. God points out worshipers of many false gods among the city and within the Temple itself.
This chapter highlights, specifically, the ways in which the leaders of Jerusalem have strayed from God. Most of the sinners specified in this vision were leaders in the community. They are seen worshiping gods of fertility, gods that revitalized agriculture and the god of the Sun. These worshipers turned their back on God, feeling that he had abandoned the Israelites. So instead of thanking God for his provisions, they began to worship the provisions themselves.
In our current culture, it is very easy to fall into this pattern as well. We begin to believe our ethics, our hard work, our education, our upbringing and so on are the cause for our successes and our provisions in this life. But we must never stray from realizing where those provisions truly came from and remember to praise and worship God for what He has given.
Key Verses:
“Is it nothing to the people of Judah that they commit these detestable sins, leading the whole nation into violence, thumbing their noses at me, and provoking my anger? Therefore, I will respond in fury. I will neither pity nor spare them. And though they cry for mercy, I will not listen.” ~ Ezekiel 8:17-18 NLT
Questions to ponder:
- Why does the sin of idolatry hurt and anger God so much?
- In verse 6, God opens up the Temple for Ezekiel to see the sins of the leaders. The leaders thought they could hide their sins from God. How would you feel if God opened up the doors to your home for everyone to witness your sins?
