What God had prophesied through Ezekiel regarding Jerusalem came to pass. An escapee found Ezekiel and told him, “The city has fallen!” By this time the Lord had given his word to Ezekiel. The people of Israel thought they had a right to possess the land as Abraham’s descendants, but they practiced detestable things, from idol worship to adultery. They disregarded the Lord and became self-reliant and godless. God pronounced judgment. They would not possess the land. The land would be desolate because of their detestable rejection of God and his word. The Lord would make himself known by his judgment.

Some in Israel wanted to hear what Ezekiel had to say. They heard his words, but they didn’t put them into practice. They spoke of love, but their hearts were full of injustice. They liked to listen to the words Ezekiel spoke but still did not put them into practice. Only when God’s word of judgment came true would they truly recognize the prophetic insight of Ezekiel. Heritage and even proximity to the word are not enough. We must put God’s commands into practice.
Application: Lord, thank you for giving me your word and your calling. Help me not to take it for granted but practice your word each day.
One Word: Practice the word of God