Read Ezekiel 11.
Having left the holy place in the Temple, the glory of God hovered over the eastern gate of Jerusalem. This is the last of four parts to the vision the LORD gave Ezekiel concerning why the Babylonian exile took place.
Commercial and legal transactions happened at the city gate. The twenty-five men depicted here were civic leaders and not the same group mentioned in chapter 8. The "rules" by which they administrated were not what God instructed. Instead of operating by the word of God, they "acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you." (v.12)
When the prophets, like Jeremiah, warned of the coming invasion, the false prophets and these leaders encouraged the people to build houses (v.3). They were to have helped the people do what was right and please the LORD. But, they actually turned the people from Him. In the absence of justice, innocent citizens were killed (v.7). The message to them was that they would die at the border where the Babylonians processed the exiles at Riblah (v.11).
But what about the faithful? There were those who never stopped loving God and obeying Him. With the loss of the Temple, they had no identifiable place of worship. So, God provided both current and future reassurance to them concerning true worship.
1. Worship of God is a Person, not a place. (v.16)
The beautiful Temple Solomon built provided a designated location for worship. But what made it of any value spiritually was their sincere and obedient response to the presence of God. To the exiled believers, He declared, "I have been a sanctuary to them." Such was one of the religious hang-ups of the woman at the well in her conversation with Jesus. Some say that true worship should take place in Jerusalem, while others argue for Samaria. Jesus responded, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24) It is not a religion but a relationship with a Person.
2. Worship of God comes from a changed heart. (vv.19-20)
The context has to do with the future restoration of Israel. He will bring the Jews back to the land. In that day, they will no longer tolerate false worship. God will give them a new heart and a new spirit. Then, as a unified nation, Israel will love and serve the LORD. The Apostle Paul wrote of such a change for those who place their faith in Jesus. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
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