But take a few strands of hair and tuck them away
in the folds of your garment. Again, take a few of these and throw them into the
fire and burn them up. A fire will spread from there to the whole house of
Israel. 5:3,4
Footnote: The few strands of hair Ezekiel put in his
garment symbolized the small remnant of faithful people whom God would
preserve. But even some from this remnant would be judged and destroyed because
their faith was not genuine. Where will you stand in the coming judgment?
Matthew 7:22, 23 warns that many who believe they are safe are not. Make sure
your commitment is vital and heartfelt.
Therefore as surely as I live, declares the
Sovereign Lord, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your vile images
and detestable practices, I myself will withdraw my favor; I will not look on
you with pity or spare you. 5:11
Footnote: It was a serious sin to defile the temple,
God's sanctuary, by worshiping idols and practicing evil within its very walls.
In the New Testament, we learn that God now makes his home within those who are
his. Our bodies are God's temple (see 1 Corinthians 6:19). We defile God's
temple today by allowing gossiping, bitterness, love of money, lying, or any
other wrong actions or attitudes to be a part of our lives. By asking the
Holy Spirit's help, we can keep from defiling his temple, our
bodies.
And I will stretch out my hand against them and
make the land a desolate waste from the desert to Diblah -- wherever they live.
Then they will know that I am the Lord. 6:14
Footnote: The phrase "then they will know that I am the
Lord" (or a variation on this phrase) occurs 65 times in the
book of Ezekiel. The purpose of all God's punishment was not to take revenge,
but to impress upon the people the truth that the Lord is the only true and
living God. People in Ezekiel's day were worshiping man-made idols and calling
them gods. Today money and power have become idols for many. Punishment will
come upon all who put other things ahead of God. It is easy to forget that the
Lord alone is God, the supreme authority and the only source of eternal love and
life. Remember that God may use the difficulties of your life to teach you that
he alone is God.
Keep reading -- 111 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV
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