[Edit: Ezekiel 20 was missed from yesterday's reading]
S) "25 I also gave them statutes that were (A)not good and ordinances by which they could not live; 26 and I pronounced them unclean because of their gifts, in that they caused all their firstborn to pass through the fire so that I might make them desolate, in order that they might know that I am the Lord."
A. Ps 81:12; Isa 66:4; Rom 1:21-25, 28
Ezekiel 20:25-26 (NASB)
O) This is a difficult passage to comprehend on its own, and it is another example of the importance of careful study, research, and cross-reference. On the surface, it almost sounds as though the LORD actually caused the idol worship and human sacrifice (to molech, it would have been) by the Israelites. This confusion is the reason that I left the footnote in the verse, to help clarify what this verse is really saying. The first, third, and fourth verses in the cross-reference, give us the phrases "...I gave them over to..." "...God gave them over in..." and "...God gave them over to..." (respectively). This conveys the idea that God was previously interfering, or preventing, the consequences of their idolatry. God was not allowing them to be as wicked as they hearts were turning. This is something like the prodigal son, who wanted to take his inheritance and have his independence. If we imagine another part of that parable, that the good father might have previously denied his sons request. Maybe the prodigal son asked for it several times, and finally, the father told him, "Fine! I know that you will squander it, and that you do not know how to correctly manage it, but I will give you what you really want!" Even though the father might know, even certainly, that there will be loss, destruction, pain, or even death, the son still bears the responsibility for his own actions, even if the father chose not to interfere any longer. This is the idea that we see presented in the passage above, and also in the cross-references given. In v.26, where it says that God "might make them desolate," we gain a little more perspective from the passage in Isaiah from our cross-reference. God has already outlined the punishments for sins (specifically, what idolatry will mean). So, as a righteous judge, it is not only within His authority, but it is also required of Him (in order to be called just) that He would deliver them over to the punishment that was already prescribed. So, the cross-references here, prove very valuable in adding a more comprehensive understanding. The second method for gaining a more complete view, is to examine other translations. There seemed to be a split as to how this passage was translated. In the NKJV and NLT, for example, v.25 actually translates "Therefore I also gave them up to..." and "I gave them over to..." (respectively). One translation I found (the CJB - Complete Jewish Bible), actually had the passage sort of split on the concept. In v.25 it says, "I also gave them..." and later in v.26 it says, "and I let them become..." So, from a few different angles, we can see a more complete view, that God was not causing their idolatry, or being malicious when they were becoming desolate. However, through the fruit of their own, willful, chosen idolatry, the consequences were desolation, and by that outcome, they might know that God is the LORD. Again, that falls in line with the outcome of the prodigal son parable, when he realized his own folly and returned to his father.
A) There are a few principles for me to remember from this passage, simply through the discipline of careful Bible study. For one thing, I must remember to read with context. And, not only the context of a passage, but relative to the entire Bible. Also, it should be my regular practice, to compare multiple translations of a given passage (and online resources are great for that). Furthermore, this highlights the importance of learning from others, carefully examining their work, and being humble and teachable (for this, I consulted an audio teaching, posted to www.thenarrowpath.com, a thorough ministry of exegesis). Now, regarding the actual content of the passage, I must remember that there are real consequences to my sins. It is only by the grace of God, that I do not suffer fully as a result of my sins. It is a dreadful thing, to come under the judgment of God, and it is also sobering to remember the full consequences of my sins. This is a clear reminder, just how much reason I have to joyfully sing thanksgiving to my God, in Jesus' name.
P) Father, Your ways are good and holy. You have life in Your statutes and Your ordinances bring joy. I am woefully deceived by sin. Thank You for forgiving me, and giving me grace, and not giving me over to the desolation my sins deserve. Please preserve me forever, until I am united with You in glory. Let me cling to Your words, O Lord, that I might have peace with You and life through You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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