Topic: Wicked abomination in God’s sanctuary
Opening Prayer: Help me to understand the exceeding greatness of your power as I read through this passage, dear Lord.
Scripture: Ezekiel 8:1-18
Question(s) for Reflection
• What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
From 1:1-3, we note that Ezekiel was still in captivity in the land of the Chaldeans, by the River Chebar but the Spirit of the Lord lifted him up and took him to the Temple in Jerusalem (8:1-4). Here he saw all the abominable things the people of God were doing in the holy sanctuary. Read vs 11-16 and identify the status of people involved in this sacrilege and what they were doing?
A combination of vs.12 and 14 will show us what was involved in this abominable worship. Tammuz was the Babylonian god of spring. He was the ‘husband’ of the goddess, Ishtar. These women were temple prostitutes involved in sexual immorality and self-gratification which is the very characteristic of worship of these Babylonian and Assyrian gods and goddesses.
Bringing Ezekiel to see this abomination and scandalous disregard for God will enable him to understand the depth of the people’s sinfulness and the righteousness of God in chastening them. Is there any way similar idolatry is practised in our churches today? Were God to expose what goes on in the corners of our homes and under the cover of darkness (v.12), what will people see?
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
• Dear Father, forgive us for the many ways we have profaned your Temple and our lives. • Pray for the activities of interdenominational Christian fellowships – OFNC, ACF etc. – in their ministry to foreigners
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Romans 15:13; Deut. 1-3; Acts 1
Scripture Union Daily Guide 27th June 2021. Scripture Union is an international, inter-denominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God