Ezekiel 14  Verses 1-11 address the audacity of the elders of Israel who came and sat down in front of Ezekiel, wanting a word from the Lord.  The Lord condemns them for they have "set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity."  Their idols are their sin.. and their sins have become their idols.

The Lord says that they:
Have a multitude of idols ( v4)
Are estranged from Him ( v5)
Have separated themselves from Him ( 7)

He will not allow a prophet to speak the Word to such men.  And, if a prophet tries to speak, he will be punished... guilty of the same iniquity as the inquirer.  There is no hope for those who refuse to repent of their idol worship ( their sins).  Judgement is certain. 

Verses 12-23 are an indictment of any and all godless cities.  The Lord uses 4 "severe judgements" :
The sword
Famine
Wild beasts
Plague

These judgements will be just.. according to the evil conduct of each individual .  The Lord says that "even though theses three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves. "  They could not deliver even their own sons or daughters.

Each of us are responsible for our own conduct and actions.  If we choose to separate ourselves from God.. we put idols in our hearts.  If we put idols before our faces.. they are a stumbling block of iniquity and we will face judgement.  We cannot save each other. We cannot  save our own family members.. as much as we want to.  We cannot even save ourselves.   God's judgements are just.. and He will be known by everyone. All will know that the Lord is God and there is no other.

Though Noah, Daniel, and Job cannot save anyone but themselves .. we know One who came to do just that!  Jesus came to earth, born of Mary, becoming one of us, so that He could deliver us all.. But, we must choose to be united with Him, to receive His righteousness, and to forsake every idol.  We must confess our sins, die to them, and receive His forgiveness and salvation.   This is why He died willingly on the cross.

There is a day of judgement ahead for each of us . Death may come from a weapon, a disease, or an accident.. but however it comes..it is certain.  " And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes the judgement.. " ( Hebrews 9:27)    "For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done whether good or bad." ( II Corinthians 5:10)  We each will bear the responsibility for our own actions.. our own words.. our own choices.  The truth is.. only Jesus can save us from the judgement we deserve. 

Paul continues writing in II Corinthians 5, " Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men... for the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this; that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf....  Now, all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation .  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ , be reconciled to God." ( v. 11,14,15,18-20)


Father in Heaven, all glory and honor to Your Holy Name.  We praise You, for You have made reconciliation possible through the sacrifice of Your Beloved Son, Christ Jesus !  Oh how thankful we are that You have allowed us to hear this Word of reconciliation ! To know that Christ died for us and in Him we have forgiveness for all our trespasses.. for every word, deed, or action that falls so short of Your mark.. of Your glory.  Oh, Mighty God.. I pray for loved ones who are still separated from You with idols of sin before their faces.. I plead with You for mercy on them. Open their ears to hear the Word of Truth and to know You are God.. before it is too late. Bring repentance..and reconcile them to Yourself.    I plead this in the Name of Jesus Christ.  amen