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ìI have not done what I have done without cause.î Eze. 14:23 Sever acts of judgment, performed by the Lord, are a reaction to the contrary ways of those who live and walk in defiance of Him. The elders of Israel gathered themselves unto Ezekiel, after all he was a prophet. Eze. 14:1 Unfortunately for them, he was a true prophet and would convey the voice of the Lord to them. They were about to hear the expression, the emotions of the Divine heart. The Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel. The Lord was about to expose the true attitude of their hearts to Ezekiel for they were men who were completely sold out to their idols. Their works of unrighteousness had become a stumbling block, to them and consequently to all of Israel. Should the Lord even bother to listen to their inquiry when they had no time to listen to His will. Because of their idolatry, they were an abomination to the Lord, He was not required to listen to them. Had they been obedient to His Word it would have been an entirely different story, for He listens to the righteous and takes delight in their prayers. Prov. 15:8
The extent of punishment was determined by the depth of their idol worship. In no way was the Lord obligated to respond to these who had so completely violated His will. In the midst of all this, the strong love that He had for His people is apparent. Even though they were like the heathen to Him, for they were worshipping the idols of the ungodly nations about them and were estranged from Him, He still hoped to capture their hearts. Eze. 14:5 The Lord is never willing that any should perish but in His longsuffering is willing to receive those who come to Him in repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 Hence the call of the Lord to the elders to repent, to forsake this idolatry and return unto the Lord. To confess our sin as an act of repentance is not sufficient, accompanying repentance there must be a forsaking of sin. Prov. 28:13 Doing works of righteousness which give witness to a change of heart and life. Acts 26:20
The actions of the Lord were identical to the Israelites and the stranger who dwelt in the land. The Lord expected them to worship Him and Him alone. It was not permissible for emigrants to come into the land and retain their idols and false gods. They were to become proselytes and worship the true God. Lev. 24:22 When they appeared before the true prophets of the Lord the Lord said that He would make is a personal matter and respond accordingly to them. Such a confrontation would be a frightening meeting for the person coming to inquire of the Lord, especially when they were out of contact with Him. Eze. 14:7 There is no greater fear than to have to appear before the Lord with an unclean heart. Heb. 10:31.