Ezekiel 8

God’s Holiness

In Ezekiel 8 we read about the abominations that take place in the temple. An abomination is something that is detestable or vile to God. It is something that is not just disgusting but very offensive. Just like Ezekiel 1, he sees God’s glory and as he is in the presence of God, he is taken to the temple. What Ezekiel sees is very sad. He sees the elders of Israel in the temple offering things to other idols. They are disregarding the holy laws of the temple with unclean animals. Also in vs 14 we see that women were weeping for a false god of the Babylonians. In vs 16, we see 25 men who could have been priests worshipping the sun.

How frustrating this must have been for Ezekiel to see, first the glory and awesomeness of God then to see the people whom God called reject it.

For us:

When someone comes to know the saving grace of God through Christ there is a burden that has been lifted off of them. That burden is the weight of their sin. But it is also frustrating to see those who know God’s grace through Christ reject it, turn from it, worship themselves or anything else and do it in his sight. In verse 12 we see the response of the elders for what they were doing, The Lord does not see us.” So many people have this attitude towards a Holy God. They know his glory, see his work and still reject him as Lord and Savior and not submit to what he requires.

We must not forget that Paul told the Colossians in to put to death the sin in their life (Colossians 3:5) God’s Word tells us to do this because he is a holy God. We are to then put on the things of Christ (Colossians 3:12). God is not only glorious which is his appearance and nature, he is also holy which means no sin, no impurity, nothing that defiles him. Because of Christ we have been made righteous and can have access to God.  Do not reject God’s grace and pollute the free gift by taking advantage of it. Guard yourself against idols, and unholiness. Reflect upon the free gift of grace and then cling to Christ.