9 April 2002

Text: Ezekiel 14:1-11

"IDOLS IN THE HEART"

THE MINISTRY OF THE PROPHET OF GOD

1. People came to seek them

2. The Prophets were supposed to inquire after God's Will on behalf of people

"Now some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me…" Eze. 14:1

"The Word of the Lord came to me… 'Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?'" Eze. 14:3

THE PROBLEM OF IDOLS IN THE HEART

The problem of Idolatry was two-fold.

1. Physical idols (in Israel)

2. Idols of the heart (in Babylon)

THE REVELATION OF GOD TO HIS SERVANT

"Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity…" Eze. 14:3

1. These men who came to speak to Ezekiel were "elders"

2. They had express humility by seeking Ezekiel

3. They had expressed spirituality by inquiring from God

4. But in fact they were being most deceptive

5. God had to reveal the truth to Ezekiel otherwise he would not have known that there was such a concept as an "idol in the heart."

6. Idols- in any expression spell trouble. They would cause the idol worshipper to stumble!

7. God would have nothing to do with those who worshipped idols- even if they are hidden idols in the heart.

GOD'S FIRM STAND AGAINST IDOLATERS

1. God reserves the right not to be inquired of by idolaters Eze. 14:3

2. They are estranged (separated) from God
"Who separates himself from Me by their idols…" Eze. 14:7

3. God would ask them first to account for the multitude of the idols they worshipped . God would directly confront them
"That I may seize Israel by their heart…" Eze. 14:5

4. God would set His face against the idolater
"I will set My face against that man…" Eze. 14:8

5. God would make him an "object lesson" for others
"And make him a sign and a proverb…" Eze. 14:8

6. Cut off
"I would cut him off from the midst of My people…" Eze. 14:8

TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS

1. God would speak through His true prophets. They would address the above issues with all idolaters who come to them

2. The false prophet who presumes to speak on God's behalf, but who does not address the issue of idolatry seriously would receive the same punishment as the idolater himself Eze. 14:9-10

WHAT GOD REALLY DESIRES

1. No more straying
"That the House of Israel no longer strays from Me…" Eze. 14:11

2. No more profaned
"Nor be profaned anymore with all their transgressions" Eze. 14:11

3. God's People again
"But that they may be My people and I may be their God" Eze. 14:11