Where the Lord's Judgment Begins

Scripture: He then brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord, and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun in the east. Ezekiel 8:16

Observation: As Ezekiel is shown a vision of idols and idol worship occurring in the temple, it ends with this ... 25 men who are gathered in the temple, yet instead of worshiping the Lord they are bowing down toward the sun, rising in the east. This is the last of the components of the visions Ezekiel is shown, and all the other previous times he is told by the Lord that he will be shown something 'even more detestable'. However, which this vision, that is not said, implying this is the pinnacle of the adulterous idol worship being done in the temple. There are three key qualities that likely make this so:

First, the number and location of the men - a significant group between the portico and the alter - indicates they are in a central and obvious location. Unlike others in the vision who are worshiping in private, worshiping alone, or both, this is a prominent group standing front-and-center before everyone - including even the Lord himself, right in the center of his temple and near his altar - worshipping that which is not the Lord.

Second is the orientation of the men. By indicating they are between the portico and the altar, that means they are east of the altar facing east, and the Holy of Holies is behind them (as the text validates, their backs are toward the temple of the Lord). They are actively turning their backs toward the Lord, and bowing in a manner that would be offensive to anyone, let along the Lord. Also, they are facing east, which is therefore toward Babylon. As we learn in the book of Daniel, the exiles themselves are praying every day, facing west toward the temple in Jerusalem. The exiles to whom Ezekiel reveals this vision would understand that not only are these 25 men dishonoring the Lord, they are disrespecting them as the remnant of Israel.

Thirdly, the men are subsequently described as old men, aka elders (verse 9:6). Of course, under the Law this means these are the people who should be deciding and judging on behalf of others, leading all others by example, and teaching the Law to others. They aren't just visibly dishonoring the Lord ... they are precisely the ones who are supposed to be doing the exact opposite. This is the very lowest of low actions, because they are leading all others into the same depravity.

And for this, when the Lord commands his angels to execute judgment, the same verse that described these men as elders (9:6) also tells us ... they are the ones killed first. It is with old, disobedient men where the Lord's judgment begins.

Application: I'm going to make this simple on myself. I'm now an old man. Too often, I am disobedient. Do the math.

I talk all the time about the Lord's impending judgment upon our nation and our society, but when that judgment comes ... it should begin by killing me. I understand I am forgiven and redeemed by faith in Jesus, but that does not mean I get a free pass from doing the will of the Lord right here, right now, here on earth.

If that isn't motivation enough to get my daily priorities in order, to spend my idle time with the Lord's word and serving his purposes, then I deserve his future punishment.

Prayer: Again, Lord, today I ask for your strength and guidance. Please forgive my sins, and continue to strengthen me so that I may repent of all kinds of evil in my heart. I desire to serve you, serve others, and walk in your ways as I humbly take your hand for guidance today. Amen.