If God’s messengers fail to point out the sins of His people, they are not faithful to God’s call.
Isaiah 58:2 “they seek me daily.” Judah was seeking God every day as though they desired to know His ways; yet, at the same time, they were living in sin and in indifference to His righteous commands. Today, congregations may worship the Lord outwardly, appear to delight in praising Him and seem eager to know His ways; at the same time, they may be conforming to the ways of the world and neglecting the diligent study of His written word. Such “worship” is an insult and an abomination to God.
Isaiah 59:1-8.Additional sins that have prevented the people from receiving God’s promised blessings are:
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear,” (Is 59:2).
“Iniquities have separated you from your God.” Sin and wickedness in our lives put a wall between us and God. Because of this barrier, we can no longer experience the blessings of salvation, such as God’s favour and protection; thus our prayers are not answered (Ps 66:18).
Read The Ungodly Ways Of King Saul (1 Sam 13-31)
“And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets,” (1Sam 28:6).
“The Lord did not answer him.” Saul sought a prophetic word from God amid his trouble, but received none. In despair he then turned to a medium (vv.7-25). Persisting in ungodly ways instead of following the leading of the Spirit cuts us off from God’s help. Calling on Him will be useless unless we turn from our ungodly ways and repent (see Mat 3:2).
Abomination In The Temple (Ezek 8)
Furthermore He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations.” (Ezek 8:6)“to make Me go far away from My sanctuary.”
God revealed to Ezekiel that He would not dwell in the temple if idolatry and sin were tolerated. Jesus likewise stated that churches that compromise with the world, forsake apostolic teaching or tolerate immorality will lose His presence and their place in the Kingdom of God (see Rev 2-3).
“Therefore I also will act in fury.”
My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them,” (Ezek 8:18).
Ezek8:6ff, in scene after scene, God revealed to Ezekiel the extent to which the people had embraced idolatry and wickedness.
