TOPIC: YOU CANNOT ABUSE GOD
Bible Reading: Ezekiel 20:1-20
20 And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the Lord, and sat before me.
2 Then came the word of the Lord unto me, saying,
3 Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you.
4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
5 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the Lord your God;
6 In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
7 Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9 But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
10 Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
11 And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.
13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
14 But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
15 Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
16 Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
17 Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
18 But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
19 I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.
21 Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
TOPIC: YOU CANNOT ABUSE GOD Ezekiel 20:1-20
In spite of their persistent disobedience, the elders were bold to ask the prophet to inquire of the Lord for them, for the third occasion in this book (vs 1-3; cf. 8:1; 14:1). This looks like what happens in African traditional religion; where people, in spite of their lifestyles, often go to consult the “Seer” only when things are bad, with the hope that the Seer would prescribe sacrifices that will appease the gods and set things right. How often do we too seek to hear pleasant prophetic messages from God and desire to receive His blessings, even quoting lengthy scriptures of His rich promises, yet, we are not ready to follow God or obey Him? God refused to meet them on their terms but on His (v.3). His response to them was a detailed history lesson. Notice what He brought to their remembrance (vs. 4-12). Check out what Israel did in vs.8,13 and 16. What did God do in response and why (v.9, 14 and 17)? Truly, our God m is longsuffering in His dealings with His children. It is important, however, that we heed Paul’s warning in Romans 6:1. TOPIC: YOU CANNOT ABUSE GOD Ezekiel 20:1-20
Missions: SEYCHELLES- The vast majority of Seychellois claim to be Christian, but evidence of true spiritual transformation seems outweighed by superstition and nominalism. Despite the disapproval of religious leaders, ost Seychellois remain happy to mix religion into this dangerous cocktail. Pray that the Holy Spirit may bring new life evidenced by repentance and sustained fruit.
Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 6-8
TOPIC: YOU CANNOT ABUSE GOD Ezekiel 20:1-20
Prayer: Help me, dear Lord, to set the right priorities for my life and – never to take your grace for granted.
Memory verse: I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Eze. 20:19)
TOPIC: YOU CANNOT ABUSE GOD Ezekiel 20:1-20
may God give the me grace daily to obey and keep his commandment in Jesus name
AMEN