Ezekiel 23:36, 45

Chapter 23 of Ezekiel is pretty serious, in detailing the putridness of the sin of both Israel and Samaria (and really rubs it in the nose of Israel in fact – because they are shown to be more far gone than Samaria, whom they despise). Again, it shows the importance of purity towards God, and how much God abhors sin and idolatry in all its forms. However, one thing I noticed in it was this:

‘But righteous men will judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.’ (Ezekiel 23:45)

While earlier it says:

‘The LORD also said to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations.’ (Ezekiel 23:36)

I was struck by the fact the God wants men to judge evil. He has this huge indictment against Israel, but He wants the righteous men (including Ezekiel) to judge the same way. He wants us to feel as bad as He does about this abomination. It’s like when you have a friend, you want them to like the same music and movies as you. God wants us to have the same passions and frame of mind as Him. So this chapter is like Him saying to Jeremiah: this is how I think – do you think the same (hint hint nudge nudge)?

God wants you to think like He does. He wants you to take on His mindset. And that means the ‘positive’ things and the ‘negative’ things. We need to read His word to know what His mindset is!