We Did It Now!

Ezekiel 20:39-44 (NRSV)

By John Grimm

Is God giving permission to Israel to do whatever the people want?  No, He is not doing that.  God has grown tired of Israel’s idolatry.  He is declining to have their offering to idols associated with his holy name.  It can make us wonder why God might become like this with us. 

God’s name is holy.  That is how God will act toward his people, in holiness.  We will know God is acting in this way with us.  We will recognize that we have polluted ourselves.  When God restores us to himself through Jesus Christ, we will know our sins and how holy God is.  It is our loathful practices which have separated us from God.

The sooner we admit our polluted ways and loathe them, the better for us.  For then we can realize God is bringing us out of our pollution to live in his holy name.  Are we ready serve God and be holy as God is holy?

Lord God, we have done shameful things.  We have polluted ourselves.  Because you are holy, we turn to you.  Lift us up from our ways and show us how to serve you in this land.  We need your mercy.  In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.  Amen.