Ezekiel 9:4 "And
the Lord said to him, "Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a
mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations
(detestable things) that are committed in it."
This morning as I waited for my bus, I came across the above
verse in my shameful rush to get through a couple Ezekiel chapters. I didn't
end up getting past this verse, and no, it wasn't because my bus came.
The parallel of this verse with the tradition of today, Ash Wednesday, had me in awe. I have been looking and praying for the Lord to
reveal to me what Lent is truly about, and what He wants lent to be truly about
for me personally, and for His people corporately. This verse and those preceding
brought clarity. We put marks of ash on our foreheads today as a sign of recognition
of who God is and repentance of who we are. We recognize God as Provider, as
Here, as Creator, and mostly, as Worthy.
In the passages leading up to verse 9:4, Ezekiel is chosen
as a prophet by God to proclaim God's words upon His people. A people that have
turned their backs towards God, ignored His commands, and brought matters into
their own hands because of their lack of faith in His presence, His timing, and
His provision.
Chapter 8 has the Lord leading Ezekiel into the innermost
courts of Jerusalem, God's chosen holy city. The "idol that provokes jealousy" is pointed out to Ezekiel as he
is told that he will witness worse abominations yet. He is then instructed to
dig through a hole into the inner courts of the city. Once inside he sees
images that suggest evil's presence: "And
there engraved on the wall all around, was every form of creeping things and
loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel. (8:10)" Also
inside, he sees the 70 elders of Israel, the supposed reverent and religious
leaders of God's chosen people. And what are they doing? They are not seeking
God's counsel, nor praying. Instead, they are worshiping. They are worshiping:
"Each had a censer in his hand, and
a fragrant cloud of incense was rising…Son of man, have you seen what the
elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol?
(8:11-12)"
In the darkness, each of these leaders were worshiping
their own private idols, their own secret sins. They were not trusting God who
had given them their position or responsibility, the God who had given breathe
to their lungs. Instead they were adding to the "idol that provokes jealousy" (a literary image more so than a
literal one I believe) by doubting God's promises and His presence in
the land. Verse 12 goes on to say: "They
say, 'The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.'" God's
response: "You will see them doing things that are even more detestable.
(8:13)"
Doubt of God's presence is a detestable thing to Him. Doubt
of His provision, doubt of His listening ear. Dependence on self, dependence on
secret sins or coping mechanisms or unworthy trusts, those are all detestable
things to Him.
As I enter this Lent season, I have been convicted; convicted
to examine my own life more carefully. What censer am I holding in my hand
walking around in darkness worshiping? What am I trusting in to get me through
each decision, each thought, each day? What idol do I have that provokes the
Lord's jealousy? And, most importantly, how am I going to respond?
Asking these questions, seeking His counsel and guidance, will bring to light the nasty unwanted,
and yet necessary, answers. "You
will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be
found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.
(Jeremiah 29:13-14)"
As we celebrate Lent, as we partake in the ashes today, as
we recognize who God is and who we are, let us also respond. Respond by asking
ourselves what "idol that provokes
jealousy" we should be conscious of in this season and eliminate it from
our habits for the next 40 days, and hopefully more. Whether it be food, or
time, or dependence, or independence; let's
sigh and groan as we change.
Romans 8:5 "Those
who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that
nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their
minds set on what the Spirit desires."
