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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 210

"If you will not obey Me"

Text: Ezekiel 20:39

THE CHOICE ISRAEL MUST MAKE

Israel had come to a cross-road. For too long, the nation had practised both idolatry and the worship of the LORD. The people had offered worship in the high places and also in the Temple at Jerusalem. God had warned and rebuked Israel concerning this matter. The time had now come for Israel to decide what they wish to do.

“‘As for you, O house of Israel,’ thus says the Lord God:
‘Go, serve every one of you his idols—
and hereafter—if you will not obey Me;
but profane My holy name no more
with your gifts and your idols.'”
Ezekiel 20:39

1. Addressing the house of Israel.

a) This was a very specific message.

b) It was directed for the ears of Israel.

c) God called them, “The house of Israel”.

i) He did not speak of them as His people.

ii) He certainly did not express delight in them in this address.

2. Serving of idols.

a) Israel must decide.

b) If the people wished to serve idols, they may do what they desire.

c) If they continue to disobey God as they have been doing, then they would have chosen their path of life.

d) But they cannot worship idols and the LORD at the same time.

3. Profaning the name of God.

a) Israel thought that they were still honouring if they kept going to the Temple in Jerusalem.

b) God had to make this very clear to them.

i) Their gifts were not accepted.

ii) They were described as the profanation of God’s holy name.

4. Israel must choose:

a) To worship idols.

b) To worship the LORD.

c) They cannot do both!

d) The current practice of worshipping idols and the LORD is rejected.