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strangers to him

Ezekiel 14:1-5 (JDV)

Ezekiel 14:1 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me.
Ezekiel 14:2 Then the word of Yahveh happened to me:
Ezekiel 14:3 “Son of Adam, these men have set up idols in their hearts and have put their violating stumbling blocks in front of themselves. Should I actually let them investigate me?
Ezekiel 14:4 “Therefore, speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: When anyone from the house of Israel sets up idols in his heart and puts his violating stumbling block in front of himself, and then comes to the prophet, I, Yahveh, will answer him appropriately. I will answer him according to his many idols,
Ezekiel 14:5 so that I may take hold of the household of Israel by their hearts. They are all strangers to me because of their idols.’

strangers to him

An official delegation of the elders of Israel came for a summit talk with Ezekiel. Maybe this was at first a cause of happiness for the prophet. Maybe he thought that now that the leaders are consulting with him, it would result in forgiveness and restoration. But God tells Ezekiel that these elders are strangers to him because of the idolatry that keeps them from being sincere.

Brothers and sisters, setting up idols in our hearts is a temptation for us today. We need not think that God is any more willing to consult with us if we do so. He must be our only master.

LORD, we want to meet with you. Purge us of our idols.