I have been reading the light little book of Ezekiel (smile). This is a book that, honestly, I have avoided. The same was true about Revelation until 1) Tony read it and told me he feels it is a lot about worship, and 2) I had to write extensively on it for my dissertation. I decided that I had survived Revelation–and actually found some beautiful things there–that I would tackle Ezekiel.
Ezekiel is 48 chapters packed full of content. Ezekiel, as most of you know, was a prophet in Israel. Israel’s prophets had the difficult task of sharing Yahweh’s message to people who had consistently been unfaithful to Him. God’s righteousness required that some consequence be rendered as a result of His people’s sin.
As I have been through some intensive study over this past few years, I came to the realization that all sin can be boiled down to one thing: idolatry. You might ask, how is that true for Jesus followers and in the modern world? Let me answer your question with a question . . . Of what was satan really guilty in the action that resulted in him getting kicked out of the kingdom? Thinking he knew better than his Creator, putting himself first, idolatry. Every time we choose to do something our own way rather than God’s way, we are serving ourselves first. Whatever commandment might be broken through our actions, we have first and foremost violated “You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex 20:3). Lest you are one who thinks we are no longer subject to those ten commands, remember what Jesus said is the greatest commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt 22:37). (The whole concept of following the 10 Commandments is a topic for another day!)
To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind is Jesus’ way of saying that we are to give our whole beings to God, to dedicate ourselves wholly and completely to Him. Now, please know that this is a process. It is an initial decision of faith, but then it is living it out in daily life choices. Every day holds dozens of opportunities where we must answer the challenge Joshua presented to Israel: “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Josh 24:15). Am I going to respond in kindness? Who will I serve? How am I spending my time? Choose whom you will serve. Will I gossip about my “neighbor” or lash out at my spouse? Who will I serve?
Thankfully, our God is a merciful God of steadfast love and while He does want us to be intentional in pursuing His character and value system, He is also full of grace and mercy. (Phew!) Repentance and forgiveness are gifts constantly available as I choose to stay off the throne of my life.
Returning to Ezekiel, which contains many important concepts speaking of the Savior to come, the responsibility of spiritual leaders, etc., there is a phrase that is repeated more than 70 times: “Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Yahweh had entered a covenant with Israel and in that covenant, they were to love their God with their whole being. Loving Him meant putting Him first and choosing His way. As they consistently went their own way, serving themselves, Yahweh persistently pursued them, calling them back into relationship. In their rebellion and hardness of heart, He desired for them to know that He was their God. This “knowing” is not just about head knowledge, but learning something that requires a response. Much like “Hear O Israel” is not just about hearing, but a listening that prompts action. This same God calls us to “know that He is the Lord,” giving Him the rightful place in our lives where we put Him first.
Denise Travanti 