Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Why does it always take so long to get back into the routine after Christmas? Or is it just me....?
But better late than never and it's a new year and we are jumping into the final stages of the Old Testament; if I am looking at my notes correctly, we have about 10 weeks left before we come to the end of the minor prophets in our look at 'heart/ hearts', as translated by the NIV 85. And today we are starting the surreal book of Ezekiel.
There are not a lot of references to 'heart/ hearts' in Ezekiel, given the length of the book. He focuses on ...other things, mostly. But there are a few verses for us to look at, and we will begin in chapter three, with God giving instruction to Ezekiel:
And he said to me, "Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you." --
Ez. 3:10; 'Heart' is the second most frequent word we've seen, Strong's H3824, Lebab - inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding. Also, as we have seen of late, it has a particular connotation of joining one's heart to God's.
God is about to give Ezekiel some very specific instructions about what he is to say and do and charged him to listen carefully and 'take [it] to heart'.
Sound instruction not just for an Old Testament prophet, but for all of us today. We listen willingly enough to the word from God...but falter at the 'take it to heart' part. James warns us of being hearers of the word but not do-ers of the word. If we don't take God's word seriously, applying it to everyday life, letting it influence our actions and deeds...have we even really heard it?
There are consequences for not taking the word to heart.
"Then in the nations where they have been carried away captive, those who escape will remember me -- how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices." - Ez. 6:9; 'Hearts' is the most common Hebrew word translated 'Heart/ hearts', Strong's H3820, Leb: Inner man, mind will, heart, understanding
Rebellion and idolatry ...turning away from God and embracing idols (of any kind) bring judgment. Judgment either leads to rejection of God completely or conviction and repentance. It's rough to see oneself from God's perspective and recognize our self centered behavior for what it is.
We go all the way to chapter 11 for the next mention of heart/ hearts, and what happens when there is repentance and restoration:
"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh." -- Ez. 11:19; all instances of 'heart' are H 3820.
This, to me, is one of the most amazing concepts in the Old Testament, foreshadowing the whole idea of a new birth.
But, for the folks who get angry at the judgment and reject God
"But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD." -- Ez. 11:21; 'Hearts' is H 3020 again.
For a bit more detail on the consequences of idolatry...
Then the word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? Therefore speak to them and tell them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicket stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the LORD will answer him myself in keeping with his great idolatry. I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.'" -- Ez. 14:2-5; all instance of 'heart' are H 3020.
This is an interesting concept...that one who holds idols also puts a stumbling block right in his or her own way. Something that causes a trip and a fall. And...here's the thing. That idol doesn't have to be a Baal or an Ashtoreth. It could be ANYTHING that takes precedence over taking God's word to heart.
Anything.
That takes some soul searching.
" 'When any Israelite or any alien living in Israel separates himself from me and sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet to inquire of me, I the LORD will answer him myself. I will set my face against that man and make him an example and a byword. I will cut him off from my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'" - Ez. 14:7-9; 'Heart' is, once again, H 3820.
Serving idols in one's heart and still going through the motions of devotion to God...brings judgment. Not just to the individual, but, as you read on down in the chapter, the prophet who ministers to him also falls under the same judgment.
Idolatry is a serious thing, and the worship of God can NOT be contaminated with it. We see this over and over in the prophets. But this is not just a warning to not have little stone statues with burning incense in the house...it's a warning to not give up heart space to serving something that is not God.
That heart space matters.
No comments:
Post a Comment