HIGHLIGHT
Ezekiel 14:3 (ESV): 3 “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them?
EXPLAIN
Idolatry was a pervasive problem for the people of Israel. All the way back to Jacob, after leaving his father-in-law with his wives and children and flocks, Jacob at a certain point cleaned all the idols out of his tents and buried them.
After the many overwhelming victories in Canaan, Joshua addressed the people, challenging them to choose to serve God only. When the people committed to do so, Joshua told them to get rid of their idols – any idols – among them.
From that point on, we find the Israelites repeatedly succumbing to worship of the idols of the surrounding peoples.
But now God reveals a greater truth to the prophet Ezekiel. The people’s idols were not merely stones or blocks of wood they set before them. Their idols were in their hearts!
APPLY
There is idol worship around the world today, even in the U.S. People actually bow and pay homage to man-made objects. But the greater, pervasive idolatry is within our hearts.
This idolatry may be unspoken and somewhat unconsciously observed by many, yet people worship money, career, fame, family, amusement, thrill-seeking and more.
How can we know such people are idolaters? They prioritize other pursuits, whatever they may be, above their loyalty to God.
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, I love and have chosen to serve you only. I reaffirm this commitment to you once again. Help me not to allow any other thing, no matter how noble or good it may be, to usurp my loyalty and faithfulness to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.