Sin Pains the Heart of God

Ezekiel begins to pronounce judgment upon the people starting with the land and their idols. These alternative worship structures led Israel's heart away from the Lord. In dramatic language, Ezekiel 6 captures the nature of sin in a way we often don't think about. Sin breaks the heart of God. 

Ezekiel 6:8–9 (ESV) “Yet I will leave some of you alive. When you have among the nations some who escape the sword, and when you are scattered through the countries, 9 then those of you who escape will remember me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols. And they will be loathsome in their own sight for the evils that they have committed, for all their abominations.

God's work of discipline upon His people is always to reveal the nature of sin. Sometimes the cost that we incur upon ourselves through hurtful actions, and here by the brokenness of God as He observes our rebellious ways. Think of the picture here. The God of heaven and Earth grieves over the sinful proclivities of His people. We don't think of this enough, but it's in the scripture. 

Ezekiel repeats the theme of the Lord's jealousy over Israel. This is also important for our own development as Christ followers. Sin hurts us, and because of that, it hurts the heart of God. He chooses to love us, to save us, and to bring us to Himself. How much must it grieve Him to see us reject that love and tender offer for those temporary pleasures that cannot satisfy? 

Some people have a problem with God's jealousy over His people. Why? What husband should not be jealous of his adulterous wife? What wife of her husband? When true concern is involved, jealousy is in the mix. To reject that notion of God is to make him simply a celestial candy dispenser. He is far more! He is Father and Husband. He is rescuer and redeemer. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. 

Ezekiel 6:13–14 (ESV) And you shall know that I am the LORD, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, under every green tree, and under every leafy oak, wherever they offered pleasing aroma to all their idols. 14 And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land desolate and waste, in all their dwelling places, from the wilderness to Riblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

These challenging passages invite us to know the Lord. Sixty times, Ezekiel cites the phrase, “And they shall know that I am the Lord”. Whether in blessing or chastening, the Lord's operation in our lives is to cause His people to KNOW Him. 

What does Israel lose? The land—the land the Lord loaned to them. Remember, He told them they were tenants only. 

Leviticus 25:23 (ESV) “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.

The point of losing the land was to break them free from that good thing which became an idolatrous thing. They set up shrines and idols on that land. And those idols tore their heart from God. 

The land is not the point, the blessings are never the point. Knowing the Lord is the point! As Jesus stipulates in the garden while praying for us. 

John 17:3 (ESV) And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

What might be getting in between you and the Lord? What good thing is about to become an ultimate thing and then a terrible thing for it distracts you from the ultimate One who loves and hurts in His heart over you?