Ezekiel 24:13–14 (ESV) —
13 On account of your unclean lewdness, because I would have cleansed you and you were not cleansed from your uncleanness, you shall not be cleansed anymore till I have satisfied my fury upon you. 14 I am the Lord. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord God.”
NOTE: God said he would have cleansed Israel, but they did not want to be cleansed. So, now the pot will be REALLY cleansed. It won't just be washed, it will be completely burnt and melted. And God is very emphatic, "I … I … I will … I will … I will … I will …" God's revealed his nature to Moses:
Exodus 34:5–7 (ESV) — 5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, … "
God's response seems so out of his character, but that is because I left off the "but" in Exo 34:7. God's justice, holiness, and wrath is just as much a part of his character as his steadfast love, faithfulness, and mercy.
What is the lesson for us? We need to be serious about cleansing ourselves from sin. It is wrong; it affects our witness; it slows the process of sanctification. And we miss the promised rest (of Hebrews) that one can experience on earth.
PONDER:
- Do I remember to confess my sins, not matter often I fall?
PRAYER: Father, search me and reveal to me the hidden sins in my life. Help me to see them and repent of them. Lead me in the right path for your name's sake.
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