Detestable things

In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign Lord came on me there.  Ezekiel 8:1

Ezekiel saw a figure – from the waist down like fire; from the waist up like glowing metal. The figure lifted him up by his hair (it must have grown back after the shaving incident) and took him off in a vision to Jerusalem (I can’t help thinking of Bran in Game of Thrones at this point!).

At the north gate of the inner court, he saw the glory of God.

Look toward the north and see the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here…

The figure brought him to the entrance to the court. He saw a hole in the wall. He dug into the wall and saw a doorway.

Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here.

Seventy elders of Israel and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan were there, each holding a censer with a fragrant cloud of incense.

See what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol.

They think that God can’t see them there, that God is not in this place.

At the entrance of the north gate, Ezekiel saw women sitting, mourning the god Tammuz.

You will see things that are even more detestable than this.

In the inner court of the house of the Lord, Ezekiel saw about twenty-five men bowing down to the sun in the east.

Is it a trivial matter for the people of Judah to do the detestable things they are doing here?

In the vision, God appointed six men to execute judgement, each clothed in linen with a deadly weapon and a writing kit.

Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.  Ezekiel 9:4

Then God instructed them to go through the city to kill and slaughter without pity, but not to touch anyone who had the mark.

And Ezekiel cried out to God.

The glory of God filled the temple with a throne of lapis lazuli and cherubim and wheels and fire. Fire to cleanse.

God brought Ezekiel to prophesy against Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people. Because of what they have done, they will be driven out. They will fall by the sword.

And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.  Ezekiel 11:12

As Ezekiel was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died and Ezekiel fell facedown and cried out to God.

Tough stuff.

A few words to finish with as we consider these visions.

Wait. Watch. Be ready. Open your eyes to the glory of God.

Trust and obey.

Look. Really look. Open your eyes to what is going on around you. All the detestable things.

Go into the dark places and see.

And lament. Cry out to God.

Speak out. Know that God is God. Make sure everyone knows that God is God.