Friday 14, November 2014
TEXT: Ezekiel 23:22-35
Key Verse: “I will do these things unto thee, because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because thou art polluted with their idols” (Ezekiel 23:30).
God has not hidden his disdain for idolatry and whoredom. Those in doubt should consult history books on the sister-cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Before destruction came to the two cities, God sufficiently warned them. That has been His pattern in His dealings with man.
Having dealt with her twin sister Aholah (Samaria), God went ahead to reveal to Prophet Ezekiel his impending judgment against Aholibah (Jerusalem).
What were her sins? Aholibah was a woman of easy virtue. She was weighed in God’s balance and found wanting in the area of chastity. “Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister…” (Ezekiel 23:31). How? “Thus, she (her sister-Aholah) played her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria and with all on whom she doted, with all their idols she defiled herself.” In sending the message, God was particularly unhappy that Aholibah consistently remained in her sinful lifestyle even after seeing the punishment meted out to her twin sister for the same reason.
The Bible is replete with instances of God’s judgment against sin. The scriptures say the Almighty is a consuming fire. The Great Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, tasted God’s fury; Pharaoh of Egypt in the days of Moses, and his subjects realised very late “the finger of God” in action. Many other people - small and great - have at various times tasted the fury of God’s judgment. In all cases however, God forewarned them. In our text today, He forewarned Aholibah, but she was flagrant in her sin.
Don’t be like Aholibah who consistently refused God’s warning. He cannot call indefinitely. After warning comes judgment. There is, however, an escape route. Jesus provides that route. You need not be disgraced, but you can receive pardon right now if you make up your mind.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “You can’t do wrong and get by.”
Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/
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