Daily Devotions
Ezekiel
"They have returned to provoke Me to anger"
Text: Ezekiel 8:17
SERIOUS PROVOCATION
The LORD’s revelation to Ezekiel about the wicked ways of Jerusalem was eye-opening and appalling! The sinful ways of the nation of Judah could not be excused easily! Jerusalem was guilty of seriously provoking the LORD!
“And He said to me, ‘Have you seen this, O son of man?
Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah
to commit the abominations which they commit here?
For they have filled the land with violence;
then they have returned to provoke Me to anger.
Indeed they put the branch to their nose.
Therefore I also will act in fury.
My eye will not spare nor will I have pity;
and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.'”
Ezekiel 8:17-18
1. “Have you seen this?”
a) Ezekiel was asked to ponder what God had revealed to him.
b) Judah’s sins were truly heinous!
c) Their abominations were inexcusable.
2. The violence in the land.
a) The land of Judah had become very violent.
b) Violence was perpetrated by many.
c) The name “Jerusalem” was supposed to reflect:
i) Righteousness
ii) Peace
d) But the reality was that the land was filled with intolerable violence.
The abominations and the violence had provoked the LORD to great anger!
3. “The branch to their nose”
a) This was an act of contempt.
b) This was derision aimed at the LORD.
c) This was done as an insult to God
4. The Response of the LORD.
a) He will respond in righteous fury.
b) He will not spare or show pity.
c) The people may regret when they are chastised and then they will pray.
d) But God will not hear their prayers!