OUR LORD WHO GRANTS US MERCY

Ezekiel chapter 14 verses 1 - 2 says this;

Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. Then the word of the Lord came to me:

This verse describes a scene where Ezekiel the prophet was approached by some of the elders of Israel and they sat before him waiting to inquire of the Lord through the prophet.

While they sat, a word of the Lord came to Ezekiel but this word was a word of knowledge about the men who had come before him that revealed that these men had idols in their hearts and had placed wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Ezekiel chapter 14 verse 3 says it this way;

“Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?

Here, the Lord privately revealed this word about the elders to Ezekiel and then asked him if he, the Lord, should let the consultation continue in light of the revelation of what was in the hearts of the elders of Israel.

The Lord Himself provided the answer to the question with a course of action and instructed Ezekiel to reveal to the elders that the idols in their hearts and the stumbling blocks before their faces  needed to be repented of and renounced as Ezekiel chapter 14 verse 6 says;

 “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!

The Lord's direct response to the inquiry by the people in calling them to repent is designed to capture the hearts of the people who had abandoned their God to go after idols.

As Ezekiel chapter 14 verse 5 says;

 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’

The Lord's willingness to forgive extends to all those who deserted him but were willing to repent.

Bless the Lord who grant's us all mercy.

Amen.