:: Idols? ::

For the past couple weeks, I've been reading through the intense, crazy-at-times book of Ezekiel. I'm going slowly through it, since Old Testament prophesy is, you know, a bit of a different genre than most stuff we typically read. But the vividness, imagery, weight of God's glory, and firey language is pretty amazing, chapter after chapter.

I ended last week with ch.8-9, and they've been gnawing at me - better, convicting me - more and more everyday since. I highly encourage you to read these chapters, but here's the deal: it starts with an incredible, actual image of God (v.1-2), which is pretty spectacular itself, but the image it paints of God is his jealousy (v.3-5). Not the "jealousy" of "I want what you have," but instead the jealousy of "I want back what is rightfully mine, which you've removed from me." In this instance, God's jealousy is incurred because of "the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary" (v.6).

Proving his point, God gives Ezekiel four visions, each one escalating in degree of offense and dishonor to God, each linked by the phrase "but you will see still greater abominations":

• The vague but public action of the Israelites, putting something else in God's place (v.5-6)
• The rulers of Israel - the elders! - worshipping idol images, engraved in the temple of God (v.7-13)
• The outright worship of another god, a Mesopoamian cult god of fertility (v.14-15)
• The very priests of God bowing and worshipping the sun - including great symbolism, "with their backs toward the temple of the Lord" (v.16)

What struck me more and more as I considered these verses was the universal nature of idolatry. The text starts with the general population of Israel, but runs deeper, to the God-appointed elders, and deeper still, to the very priests of God's people!

So it made me think, what are my idols? What are the "great abominations" that I use "to drive [God] far from [his] sanctuary" everyday; with which I fill the walls of his temple? Even as I lead some of God's people, what do I put in God's place? Then as I was considering this, I realized that some of these idols are things we'd declare "good!" - like the sun in this passage! We need the sun; it provides life, light, warmth, sustenance. If it burns out, we're through. But it is only good in its proper place, as God uses it for his glory and our good. So, what are my idols?

I'm sure there are too many to name. But among the things that I put in God's place; which fill me and consume my thoughts, time, and effor; which I "worship" are comfort, financial security, my wife, knowledge, being the best, achieving things, physical beauty, personal pleasure, being connected, being busy, and even ministry and the church. As I look at these things, I would declare many of them "good." Sure, there are some outright sin issues that could be added to this list, or which stem from some it, but there are some good things in my life that I've blown out of proportion; which have removed God from his sanctuary in my life; which are idols.

And how does God deal with these idolaters? "I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them" (v.18). And the whole of chapter 9 describes Ezekiel's vision of God carrying this out. Another vivid, sobering image. But interestingly, there's also a bit of hope, as God spares all those marked by a man, sent by God, "clothed in linen"...

And so I'm repenting today, which is the message of the prophet delivering God's message to God's people. And I'm also giving thanks, that a rightfully jealous God has mercy, even at for silly fools like me who know the truth, yet continue to "worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!" (Rom 1:25); who idolize silly things like comfort, the work of our hands, or the sun.

What about you? What are the idols of your heart; the things that replace God and cause him jealousy, remove him from his rightful place in your life; and that you worship instead of him? (I'm not expecting actual replies on this, but maybe at least some introspection? I pray God's word here challenges you as it has challenged me!)