2 July 2002

Text: Ezekiel 20:1-32

AN INQUIRY OF THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL

"Certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and sat before me" Ezekiel 20:1

1. A prophetic role
One of the roles of the OT prophets was to be sought out by people for a word from the Lord.

2. A sincere inquiry?
For all wants and purposes, the elders of Israel seemed to be sincere in seeking advice from Ezekiel the prophet

REJECTION OF THE INQUIRY OF THE ELDERS

"'Have you come to inquire of Me?" says the Lord.
I will not be inquired of by you.'"
Ezekiel 20: 3

REASONS FOR REJECTION OF THE INQUIRY OF THE LORD

"Make known to them the abominations of their fathers"
Ezekiel 20:4b

A. Recalling the Earliest Years of Israel as a nation

1. The idols of Egypt

"On that day I raised My hand in an oath to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands.
Then I said to them, 'Each of you, throw away the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt."
Ezekiel 20:6-7

2. Rebellion and disobedience

"But they rebelled against Me and would not obey Me. They did not all cast away the abominations which were before their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt."
Ezekiel 20:8

"Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness; they did not walk in My statutes; they despised all my judgments… they greatly defiled My Sabbaths…"
Ezekiel 20:13

"They despised My judgments and did not walk in My statutes, but profaned My Sabbaths; for their heart went after idols"
Ezekiel 20:16

3. The Context of God's Gracious Blessings

a) Deliverance from bondage in Egypt
Ezekiel 20:6

b) Giving of the land of Canaan
Ezekiel 20:6

c) Provision of great Laws
Ezekiel 20:11-12

d) God's faithfulness in keeping His oath/promise to Israel
"I raised my hand in an oath to them…"
Ezekiel 20: 9, 14, 23

e) God's mercy extended to Israel
"Nevertheless My eye spared them from destruction. I did not make an end of them in the wilderness"
Ezekiel 20:17

B. SECOND CHANCE TO THE NEXT GENERATION

1. Offer of God to the Next Generation

"But I said to their children in the wilderness,
'Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols…" Ezekiel 20:18

2. Rebellion of the Second Generation

"Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, and were not careful to observe My judgments… but they profaned My Sabbaths…
Because thy had not executed My judgments, but had despised My statutes, profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their fathers' idols" Ezekiel 20:21, 24

GOD'S JUDGMENT ON ANCIENT ISRAEL

1. God gave ancient Israel up

"I gave them up to statutes that were not good…"
Ezekiel 20:25

2. God pronounced them unclean

"I pronounced them unclean…"
Ezekiel 20:26

C. THE CURRENT GENERATION

No difference at all from ancient Israel!

"Are you defiling yourselves in the manner of your fathers, and committing harlotry according to their abominations?
For when you offer your gifts and make your sons pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols, even to this day.

So shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel?

"As I live, says the Lord,
I will not be inquired of by you…"

Ezekiel 20:30-31