_“Then the glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the Temple ...”(Ezekiel 10: 18)_
“The glory of the Lord” seems to be the key phrase to Ezekiel. It occurs twelve times in the first eleven chapters. Then it does not occur again until chapter 43. The “glory of the Lord” departed from the Temple at Jerusalem by the idolatry of the people. God said, “Because you defiled my sanctuary with all your vile images and detestable practices, I myself will withdraw my favor. I will not look on you with pity or spare you.” (Ezekiel 5: 11) In Ezekiel 8 we see Ezekiel in a vision transported to Jerusalem and there he saw four kinds of idolatry that were practiced in the Temple courts; people were worshipping the sun, with their backs to the sanctuary while their faces were to the East. We see the glory of the Lord gradually departed from the Temple. First it left the inner sanctuary. It went up from above the cherubim where it had been and moved to the threshold of the Temple. (10: 4) Thence to the east gate (10: 18,19) and finally glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the Temple and moved out of the Holy City to the Mount of Olives. (11: 22,23) Then the captivity came. This was Ezekiel’s message to the nation. Their captivity was a result of their sin.
Dear friends, this is just what can happen to us. We can grieve the Holy Spirit and resist Him until He is quenched and our heart becomes like a ruined temple deprived of its glory. In I Thessalonians 5: 19 Paul says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire” and in Ephesians 4: 30, he says “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” We grieve the Spirit when we do not allow ourselves time to read the Word or pray. We limit the Spirit when we refuse to be clean vessels through which He can work. We resist Him by allowing idols to be in our hearts. But just as God’s judgment on sin is certain and severe, His redemption is equally certain when it is welcomed by the human heart. Ezekiel’s message closes with the promise of future glory. (Ezekiel 43: 2, 44: 4) The same is true of every individual. God’s blessing returns to each one of us when we return to Him. Is it not time for us to forsake all idols and seek the Lord with repentance?
*PRAYER* : Heavenly Father, I have grieved the Holy Spirit many times by defiling my body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. I have not walked according to Your commandments. Forgive me. Lord, cleanse me in and out so that Your glory will abide in me always. Amen.
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