These men have set up idols in their hearts,

.... and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them (Ezekiel 14:3)?  The Lord is slow to anger and full of mercy, but as with Israel, there comes a time when He gives us over to our idols, to our stubborn and rebellious hearts, even reinforcing our rebellion at times (2:3,4). The Lord had sent Moses with signs and wonders telling Pharaoh to “Let my people go.” Pharaoh hardened his heart on three separate occasions, and then God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 8:1, 15, 32; 9:34; 10:20). Interestingly, Pharaoh's people also hardened their hearts (9:34). Then and now we allow our leaders to lead us astray!! Then and now we want our cake and eat it too. In particular we draw near with our lips, but many times our hearts are far from Him (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8).  And once again this ancient book is surprisingly modern and up to date!

God's diagnosis is that we have set up idols in our hearts. An idol is anything in our lives that we allow to be more important than God and/or our obedience to Him and His ways. And the fact of the matter, whether we want to admit it or not, such idols cause us to stumble into sin and iniquity. All such stumbling has consequences, some eternal if we do not repent.  In an age where “my rights” seem to trump every other consideration, the Church of God has been largely conformed to the World. We have embraced the worlds standards in terms of our sexuality, greed and rebellion, to name just a few aspects of this.  “Nobody, not even God, is going to tell me what to do, or what not to do!”

And yet many of us still want the outward appearance of faith. We allow our hearts to deceive us, rationalizing our own immorality and rebellion,  and at least outwardly wanting God's will in our lives.  We might  even fool ourselves into thinking we do,  and ask Him about it.  But when we have an idol in our heart what we hear,  will not be the truth. In fact the Lord himself might just answer you “according to the multitude of your idols” (14:4). What that means is that He gives us the desires hearts, but brings leanness souls (Psalm 106:15). He does this that He might seize our hearts (14:5),  recapturing them for Himself. The leanness is part of the consequences of our rebellion. I read a meme recently that thanked God for some of the times He answered “No.” It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance,  and the realization, in our moments of clarity, that He has our best interest at heart.  So that when He say “no,” it is for our provision and our protection.

Father, as it says in 14:6 Your desire in all of this is that we repent turn away from our idols, and  our faces away from all our abominations. The word “abominations” is a strong word Lord, but it is clearly how You see them and so it is what they are. Have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on me. Wipe away our sins, take away our hardened hearts and give us hearts of flesh (11:19). Grant us repentance Lord that we may love Your with all our heart, mind, soul and strength in Jesus Name Amen