Before Reading.
- Centering prayer— Pray for illumination, “Lord, open my heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit,” and remain in silence.
Reading.
- Read slowly, keeping any words or phrase that come to your mind, and mark on them.
- Close eyes and meditate on what you read.
- Take a note if you have question, inspiration.
Read Ezekiel 14
Overview.
Oracle against idolaters.
Elders were religious leaders in Israel. The oracle was against their idolatry. “set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling block before their faces.”
“idols” here is a term “gillulim,” with literal meaning, “dung balls.” This term appears thirty-nine time in the book of Ezekiel, compared with nine times in the rest of the Old Testament.
God’ judgement against the idolatry in Israel is irrevocable. Three archetypal righteous men, Noah, Job, and Daniel explains the limitation of salvation to only those with righteousness and moral integrity that corresponds to God’s character. The reference to three biblical figures calls for the exiled to repent.
The disaster that God brought to Jerusalem for their wicked sin of idolatry, is an exemplified to the exiled so that they can learn and take God’s side.
1. What does this passage tell you about God?
2. What does this passage tell you about people.?
3. What does this passage tell you about yourself and God’s will for you?
