Ezekiel 8

My heart breaks at the reading of this chapter. God’s Spirit takes Ezekiel on a tour of Jerusalem revealing secret sin. First is a statue of the Babylonian sex goddess Asherah in her temple just inside the North gate. (v. 6) Next Israel’s elders gathered in the temple complex. They are worshipping the images of Egyptian gods painted all over the walls. (v.10-11) Then he is shown a woman weeping before the Babylonian fertility god Tammuz. (v.14) Finally, 25 men in the inner court of the Temple bow with their backs to the altar, worshipping the sun. (v.16) In verse 18 of The Message God says, “That’s it. They have an angry God on their hands! From now on, no mercy. They can shout all they want, but I’m not listening.”

What was meant to be a loving fulfilling relationship between God and Israel, like a good marriage, has come to this. So I grieve for God’s pain of rejection, Israel’s wounds of sin, and the break-up of all relationships. The world is full of misery. I see it everywhere in people’s eyes. I grieve for the pain. I hate the sin.

Lord, have mercy on us. Forgive our sins. Restore us to yourself. Vanquish the enemy Satan. Please come quickly.