Thursday, November 16, 2023

For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me

Ezekiel 20:27-44

Therefore, son of man, speak to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In this also your ancestors blasphemed me by being unfaithful to me: When I brought them into the land I had sworn to give them and they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, made offerings that aroused my anger, presented their fragrant incense and poured out their drink offerings. Then I said to them: What is this high place you go to?’

You say, “We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone.” But what you have in mind will never happen. As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will reign over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you.

‘As for you, people of Israel, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols. For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.

Why?

For the people of Israel belong to the Lord, so the Lord won't allow them to worship idols like the nations, like the peoples of the world.

Israelites may go and serve their idols, but every one of them will accept judgment.

On the Holy Mountain, there in the land, all the people of Israel will serve the Lord. There are some people who are chosen by the Lord.

How?

The Lord is Holy, so everyone will be judged by their behavior. May the Holy Spirit leads my way in my daily life.


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