Under Gods Command

Under Gods Command

Are we listening?

Ezekiel 20:23-24 – Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the desert that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries, because they had not obeyed my laws but had rejected my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths, and their eyes lusted after their fathers idols.

At the very beginning of Israel’s history, God clearly warned the people about the consequences of disobedience. When the people disobeyed, God let them experience those devastating consequences to remind them of the seriousness of their sins. If you choose to live for yourself, apart from God, you may experience similar destructive consequences. Even through such consequences however, God may be drawing you to himself. Let your misfortunes bring you to your senses and to the merciful God before it is too late.

Under Gods Command

Ezekiel 14:3-5 “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? Therefore speak to them and tell them, This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the LORD will answer him myself in keeping with his great idolatry. I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.

God condemned the elders for worshiping idols in their hearts and then daring to come to God’s prophet for advice. On the outside, they appeared to worship God, making regular visits to the temple to offer sacrifices. But they were not sincere; it is easy for us to criticize the Israelites for worshiping idols when they so clearly needed God instead. But we have idols in our hearts when we pursue reputation acceptance, wealth, or sensual pleasure with the intensity and commitment that should be reserved for serving God.

The heart was considered the core of a person’s intellectual and spiritual function. Because all people have someone or something as the object of their heart’s devotion, they have the potential for idolatry within them. God wants to recapture the hearts of his people. We must never let anything captivate our allegiance or imagination in such a way to replace or weaken our devotion to God.

Under Gods Command

Ezekiel 13:2-3 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
The false prophets had a large following because they comforted the people and approved of their sinful actions. Lies are often attractive, and liars may have large followings. Today for example, some spiritual leaders assure us that God promises his followers health and material success. This is comforting, but is it true? God’s own Son did not have an easy life on earth. Make sure the messages you believe are consistent with what God teaches in his Word.

Under Gods Command

Who is the Fool?

Proverbs 1:22 How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

In the book of Proverbs, a “simple one” or a fool is not someone with a mental deficiency but someone with a character deficiency (such as rebellion, laziness, or anger). The fool is not stupid, but he or she is unable to tell right from wrong or good from bad.

Under Gods Command
Ezekiel 11:12 And you will know that I am the LORD, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.

From the time they entered the Promised Land, the Israelites were warned not to copy the customs and religious practice of other nations. Disobeying this command and following pagan customs instead of God’s laws always got them into trouble. Today believers are still tempted to conform to the ways of the world, but we must get our standards of right and wrong from God not from the popular trends of society.