The Lord had Ezekiel prophecy the complete destruction of the nation Israel, which would cleanse the people of idolatry. This sin breaks the most important commandment: Worship God alone. The land was covered with the elements of idol worship: high places, idols, and incense altars. Because of the people’s hard-heartedness, this judgment was the only way to break Israel of her idol worship. Both the idols and the people who worshiped them would be destroyed (4).

Among those who survived this judgment, there would finally be repentance (8). Verse 9 describes so well what repentance means: to remember God and how we have grieved his heart, and to loathe ourselves for the wicked things we have done. It is terrible that this judgment was necessary to produce genuine repentance in the remnant of Israel.

When people today hear God’s word, that is God’s grace giving them the opportunity to repent before such a judgment comes on them. Thank God for those who have repented of past sinful lives and come to Jesus. Let’s always be ready to cast out idols that try to take root in our hearts.
Application: Father, thank you for warning us about the judgment that comes due to idolatry. Help me remember you whenever I am tempted by some idolatrous desire.
One Word: Turn from idols to the Lord