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Besides the people’s error of false confidence, my commentary said they’d committed the errors of
false prophecy, false piety, and false
hope. These were keeping them from
admitting their sin to God and turning back to Him. About false prophecy, it said, “It’s a
serious thing to be called of God and to speak His Word to His people. To assume a place of ministry without being called and gifted is arrogance, and
to manufacture messages without receiving them from the Lord is impertinence… Popularity is not a test
of truth.”
The religious leaders among the captives in Babylon had come
to Ezekiel’s house, ostensibly to hear what God had to say. But God told Ezekiel that these leaders were
outwardly serving the Lord while secretly worshiping idols! This false piety was hateful in God’s sight.
The error of false hope – thinking God would surely save them because, regardless of
how they acted, they were His
people – was going to bring upon them four judgments: famine, wild beasts, war, and
pestilence. His four judgments would converge to wipe out the sinful,
hard-hearted bulk of the people. “But in His grace, He would allow some of the people to escape …” Once again, God produces hope for the nation through the faithful remnant. God would do what had to be done and He would be just in His dealings. His
desire had been for His people to turn their hearts back toward Him, yet they
had refused.
Father, don’t spare anything to keep me focused on You and
what You are doing around me. Use
everything You have to keep those I love from falling away from You as
well. Fight for them, Father, even when
they don’t fight for themselves because their hearts have strayed from You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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