Ezekiel 8 reminds me of an article I read recently about a former prostitute that now counsels the wives of men who have been unfaithful. Her basic advice is that lots of action in the bedroom will keep your man at home. The writer ridiculed her advice, noting men that do more housework are more “satisfied” with their level of intimacy. The author noted she is single and she clearly does not understand that a man will slay dragons for the woman he loves. He will defend and protect and provide for her and he will even vacuum without being asked. This kind of passion is built from the inner room- out. Men resent the doggie-treat reward for good behavior attitude. The prostitute is paid for performance. In today’s chapter we see a correlation between the symbol of marriage and the exclusive relationship God desires to have with each of us. The chapter begins with Ezekiel sitting at his home “the elders of Judah were sitting before me“. He explains, “The hand of the Sovereign Lord came on me there“. He describes the appearance as “A figure like that of a man… as bright as glowing metal“. “The Spirit lifted me… He took me to Jerusalem“. Remember, Jerusalem was more than the capitol city. It was the place of the Temple, the one and only place of atonement.
The Temple had areas that were more public and more exclusive. The structure had outer courts and inner courts; ultimately the most inner room was the place where God met with man. Ezekiel’s first stop was, “the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood“. We usually picture jealousy as a negative trait, but there are some things that we should jealously guard. This area was only accessible by the priests and Temple servants. God says, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive Me far from My sanctuary?” They had gone beyond the cold shoulder and actually replaced God.
God’s Temple tour continues with the commentary, “You will see things that are even more detestable“. Ezekiel is directed to a door to the Most Holy Place, “Go in and see“. He sees “portrayed all over the walls all kinds… unclean animals and all the idols of Israel“, and “seventy elders of Israel… Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising“. Please listen to their reasoning, “The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land“. They blame God for the lack of intimacy. As the chapter ends, the prophet is taken back out and at each gate the people are worshipping false gods. He calls it “a trivial matter for the people“. God forgives our flaws when we give Him the exclusive place in our life. I believe God is even patient beyond comprehension, but when we replace Him, we are left to deal with our mess. The chapter concludes, “They also fill the land with violence and continually arouse My anger… I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in My ears, I will not listen to them“. God does not want a sometimes relationship and He does not accept the occasional token of obligation. Our actions follow our heart, and real love flows from the inside-out. “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). God does not pay for performance, He loves deeply. Is it time to stop flirting with idols?