Tuesday November 19th, 2019 Ezekiel 10:1-19
Then the glory of the LORD went out from the threshold of the house and stopped above the cherubim. (verse 18)
Ezekiel warned the Israelites of their need to repent @#ThisIsWhereIdolatryGetsYou and #Don’tSayIDidn’tWarnYou. But the warnings from the prophets went unheeded and now they are living with the fallout-Gods’ punishment. God has departed from Jerusalem and the temple.
Looking in the mirror can be painful. It’s scary to see that our imagined self is different than the real self who says unkind things, is deceitful, self-reliant, hurtful and judgmental. The mirror often reminds us of what exactly it is we need to repent of and change (Advent is coming so there’s lots of practice ahead!), and just how much we are in need of God’s mercy, love and forgiveness.
Ezekiel describes the grandeur of God’s departure from the temple-think cherubim, spinning wheels and fire! God’s action is not to be interpreted as punishment for the sake of punishment. It’s meant as a corrective to set them back on course. It also makes clear that while God is not in the temple, they are not abandoned. God is with them in this time of judgment and repentance. God is with them into the future as God’s spirit comes to dwell in them.
Give me courage to look in the mirror and change what needs changing that I might live my life for you. Amen. — LG
Contributed by #IAmWithYouAlways
Ezekiel warned the Israelites of their need to repent @#ThisIsWhereIdolatryGetsYou and #Don'tSayIDidn'tWarnYou. But the warnings from the prophets went unheeded and now they are living with the fallout-Gods' punishment. God has departed from Jerusalem and the temple.
Looking in the mirror can be painful. It's scary to see that our imagined self is different than the real self who says unkind things, is deceitful, self-reliant, hurtful and judgmental. The mirror often reminds us of what exactly it is we need to repent of and change (Advent is coming so there's lots of practice ahead!), and just how much we are in need of God's mercy, love and forgiveness.
Ezekiel describes the grandeur of God's departure from the temple-think cherubim, spinning wheels and fire! God's action is not to be interpreted as punishment for the sake of punishment. It's meant as a corrective to set them back on course. It also makes clear that while God is not in the temple, they are not abandoned. God is with them in this time of judgment and repentance. God is with them into the future as God's spirit comes to dwell in them.
