The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet #8020 Ezekiel chapter 20

How do you think God feels about the "traditions of men" today which are the modern "golden calves"

Isn't this Book of Ezekiel incredible? And to think that for most Christians this precious gem of truth just lays "back there" in the Old Testament sandwiched between Jeremiah and Daniel and is almost completely ignored by their pastors and preachers who just tell their sheep that everything is peachy and rosy as they continue spewing forth their "traditions of men", which IS idolatry, the likes of which most cannot see! Perhaps this 20th chapter of Ezekiel would help if they ever took the time to read it, but then some are just too busy "doing things" in the name of Jesus to bother with what He has to say in His Word.

Well, king Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun, and following his reign the southern tribe of Judah (The House of Judah) along with the tribe of Benjamin separated themselves from the other 10 northern tribes of Israel (The House of Israel). Jeroboam became king over the northern House of Israel and built places of worship and set up golden calves for people to come and worship, lest they go down to Jerusalem and follow after Rehoboam, king of Judah. Here's part of the narrative in 1 Kings 12:

1 Kings 12:28-30  Whereupon the king [Jeroboam] took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them [the people], It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
This is the same "Bull" their fathers were given when Moses went up into mountain to receive the Commandments of God! Today, in modern churchianity, only the form of the "idols" have changed but the "Bull" remains the same.
[29] And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.

[30] And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.

Now you see the problem with this is that the priests and the elders knew what happened in the wilderness when Moses went up into the mountain and the golden calf was set up in his absence.

Here's some of that narrative:

Exodus 32:7-10
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:

[8] They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

The "Bull" entered the ring quickly! "Ole! Bravo!", said the people.

Moses will have to come down from the mountain and kick some bull.

[9] And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:

[10] Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

This made our Father VERY angry back when Aaron and the people set up the golden calf. Do you think it made Him less angry when Jeroboam did it and set up the molten calves upon the hills of Samaria? How do you think He feels about the "traditions of men" today which are the modern "golden calves", "Bull", which the preachers and ministers have "set up" in substitution for going to His Word? This is the great lesson of this 20th chapter of Ezekiel.

Let's begin:

Ezekiel 20:1
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
So here come the certain of the elders, down from the idolatrous hills of Samaria smelling like you-know-what from the bull pastures, to find out about what's transpiring and what is going to happen to the nation concerning the captivity and the restoration, i.e. they seek to enquire about "prophecy".

Are they interested in learning how better to serve the LORD and follow after His commandments? No way! They just WANT something for THEMSELVES! I'd say they have a lot of NERVE, wouldn't you?

[2] Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,

[3]  Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

They won't follow Him or do a thing He says nor turn from their idolatrous ways, and yet they come to Him and want Him to be good to them and give them of His precious gems? I don't think so!
[4] Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
Ezekiel, you handle these filthy, stinky, idolatrous dudes, because quite frankly I'd just as soon "zap" them! You give them a cleansing Bible lesson and REPEAT what happened in the wilderness when I led their fathers out of Egypt with a mighty hand and performed all kinds of miracles and fed them and provided for them. And what did I get in return? Gratitude and love and respect? No, they set up idols and turned from Me to worship after them. So you tell them about their "Bull Sins".

And maybe, just maybe, they will SEE how the children CONTINUE in the bull sins of their fathers and yet they even blame their fathers by using that "sour grape" proverb! Remember that big lie? Maybe even the generation alive in the 2000s will get the point concerning their idolatrous churchianity!

Ezekiel 20:5
And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob , and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
God delivered the whole House of Jacob, all 12 tribes of Israel, out of the land of Egypt.
[6] In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
He gave them all the best, and later on He would even gather their children from among the nations where He would scatter them and give to them the fruited plain from sea to shining sea.
[7] Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
He TOLD THEM to get rid of their religion and traditions of men. The question to keep in mind here is, "If your kids totally and defiantly disobey you, then how willing are you going to be to hear them when they want something from you?"
[8] But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
They were so rebellious and He was so angry with them He considered "zapping" the whole bunch! How can you blame a Parent for feeling that way?
Ezekiel 20:9
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made, myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

[10]  Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

He chose not to destroy them, lest the other nations would say that He brought them out of Egypt just to slay them, which the children of Israel will end up accusing Him of themselves. So He led them into the wilderness for what will end up to be a 40 year "cooling off" period in the hot desert, where Moses will train the younger generation how to be Bull Fighters. But the older generation will get trampled on by the beast and they will die in their Bull Sins.

So what have we learned so far? Don't listen to the traditional bull of men. Pick up the Sword of the Lord and be a Bull Fighter because there is no "Holy Cow"!

In the opening verses of this 20th chapter of Ezekiel we saw that certain elders from the House of Israel (not Judah), who were reeking from the smell of "*bull manure", which is what idolatry smells like to our Father, came down to ask Ezekiel for a word of wisdom from God.

* Just as Moses' brother Aaron and Company built a golden calf to worship in the wilderness, Rehoboam, king of the northern 10 tribed House of Israel, had set up altars of molten "calves" in the hills (high places/churches) for the people to come and worship and bring their sacrifices. In our understanding that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecc. 1), we see today that there are many altars of spiritual bull set upon the hills and street corners for people to come and worship. Their pulpits are infested with the "many who would come in the last days" in the name of Christ and deceive the multitudes (Mk. 13, Mat. 24). How, you ask? By teaching the traditions of men (bull) instead of God's Word. So who do people really worship when they go there?  That's the point of this chapter for us to see.

One big question to consider as one reads this chapter 20 is, "How would you feel toward a child who is not only ungrateful for all that you have done for him (or her) but who totally disregards your instructions with an "in-your-face" attitude, and then turns around as if nothing was wrong and asks you to do him a favor? That is exactly how God views these elders of Israel, so He told Ezekiel to tell them regarding their inquiry, "No way!" He is NOT going to answer their requests until they clean up their acts.

We now continue our study where God is recapping to Ezekiel the way He feels about how His children have treated Him after all the wondrous and marvelous things He did for them in bringing them out of the bondage of Egypt and providing them with everything they needed to live happily ever after under His protection. They simply would NOT listen and obey Him?

Personal note: I believe God gave some of us parents "teenagers" to help us more fully understand these scriptures.

Ezekiel 20:11
And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
Notice the big IF! Every individual must make his own choice concerning his relationship with our Father. There's a proverb that goes around which says, "If it's going to be, it's up to me!" The laws, the statutes, and the judgments of God have been determined and set forth and they are not going to change.

Here's the deal:

Deut. 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
So a person is FREE to CHOOSE to be either Pro-choice or Pro-misery and Pro-death, though your Father obviously wants you to choose Life, doesn't He? (He wants you to choose life for your "seed" too!) Oh, and by the way. It looks like the choices one makes will be recorded, right? The record book is called the "Book of Life".
Rev. 20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
A person's "works" are determined by the "choices" he makes.

We need to bring back the laws of Leviticus and Deuteronomy and enforce them in this nation. You see, God's law says that when a person is convicted of premeditated murder that he or she is to be publicly executed and the next of kin of the victim gets to pull the guillotine lever or flip on the high-voltage switch. (Maybe that concept would work as a new slogan for a bumper sticker, "Eliminate Criminals, not Guns".)

Ezekiel 20:12
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
If God's children would just keep His sabbaths (which means rests) as He commanded, they would not be so easily thrown off track and do things like hunt Ishtar eggs and bring symbols of fertility, like bunny rabbits, into the house of God. The first sabbath and the most important one, the "Highest Day" in all of Christianity, is the Passover. It is to be observed forever (though now not with the killing of a lamb) because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, became our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7). He IS the sign between God and man.
[13] But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
Today, the "Traditions of Men" (bull) have replaced His Word and His sabbaths JUST AS the molten calves replaced them in the days of Jeroboam. Our Father was NOT happy with idolatrous worship then, and He is not happy with it NOW!
[14] But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
Our Father loves the heathen too, for they also are His children. Of course He wants them to know as well that He is the One and only God.
Ezekiel 20:15
Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
When God "lifts up His hand", watch out! Someone is about to get spanked! WHY? How about for disobedience? Isn't that why you discipline your children?
[16] Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
Yes, the Lord's passover has become polluted with a tradition of man called "Easter", which is NOT even to be found in the New Testament manuscripts. So where did it come from?
[17] Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
Notice our Father does not act or react upon emotions, but all His decisions are based on what is RIGHT and what is good for all of His children.
[18] But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
The parents wouldn't listen, so He told their children to quit observing the religious practices of their parents. How about you? What about the religion of your parents. Of course they were or are good people, but have you checked out what you have been taught to believe with what the Bible actually says?

You say you don't feel there's any need to check it out? If it was good enough for grandma and grandpa it is good enough for you too? Bad choice! That will be recorded in the book. Count on it!

This might be a good time to quote one of the greatest Christian scholars of all time, E.W. Bullinger, wrote the following in the introduction to one of his books titled, "How to Enjoy the Bible", American Christian Press, 1983, pg. 6:

"When we come to ask ourselves, and say, 'Where did I learn this?' 'How did I get this?' 'Who taught me this?' It is astonishing to find how much we have imbibed from man, and from tradition; and not directly and for ourselves, from the Word of God.

All that we have learned from our youth up must be tested and proved by the Word of God. Where we find it is true we must learn it all over again, from God. And where it will not stand the test of His Word we must be not only content, but thankful to give it up; and receive Divine revelation in the place of man's imagination."

Not very many people have the courage to seek the truth from His Word.
Ezekiel 20:19
I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
This is the first commandment, repeated here: "I am the LORD your God."
[20] And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
There's commandment # 4 too.

I guess this means the Easter Bunny is going to have to go, doesn't it? The practices and worship of Easter (Ishtar) are an abomination to our Father. Perhaps most of our parents kept it or keep it. What should we do now? Answer: Get to work and start studying!

2 Tim. 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

And DO 1 Thes. 5:21:

 1 Thes. 5:21
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

Of course the choice is an individual one. We don't have to do our homework, but we should expect the Teacher will record an "F" in the book beside our name, shouldn't we?

It would seem however, that if a person believes Jesus Christ when He said that many would be deceived by the traditions of men in these last days, that the probability is pretty high that that person has been covered by bull manure and stinks to high heaven like the elders of Israel. One can take his chances or do his homework.

Ezekiel 20:21
Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
Even after they knew better and were warned they went back to the religious practices of their parents in Egypt.
[22] Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.
[23] I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
Remember when God lifts His hand up someone is going to get it. Our Father decided that instead of "zapping" His children He would scatter them among the heathen. So it was written and so it was done. History documents it for all who care to do the research.

The following verse declares the reason why He scattered them.

Ezekiel 20:24
Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
When you find your kids doing something that they shouldn't be doing and you tell them to quit doing it, how do you feel when they just ignore you and continue to do it?

Don't tell me you don't get angry.

[25] Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
God didn't "give" them bad statutes, etc. The Hebrew word for "gave" (nathan), used as a verb in this verse, means that He "permitted" or "suffered" them to adopt bad statutes. One translation reads, "I let them adopt customs and laws which were worthless."

It was their choice. The problem is that many didn't make the grade and they died in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:26
And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.
You can read in any reputable Bible dictionary about Molech worship, which is this "passing through the fire", where the idolatry became so abominable that some sacrificed their own children.
[27] Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

[28] For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.

God lifted up His hand against Egypt to bring Israel out of bondage and what thanks did He get? His children went after other gods and gave those gods (who are no gods) their sacrifices. On top of that, they even practiced the "quick like a bunny" sexual orgies in the groves in honor of Ishtar (Easter). Don't take my word for it, do some homework on Easter.
Ezekiel 20:29
Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.
What is the "high place" where people today go to worship? No, wrong answer! It is not Alabama! The word "Bamah" is not short for "Alabama". Do you see what kind of ridiculous things man can come up with when he doesn't do his homework? Next thing you know he'll come up with a crazy idea like God will "torture" bad people forever and ever in an inferno like Dante's, or people will fly away in a Rapturemobile, or even that Christ was crucified on a Friday.

"Bamah" means "a high place", particularly where sacrifices are made to other gods. Today they are called churches. Next ,God is going to want to know if the high places, the churches of our nation, are polluted after the manner of our fathers.

What do you think?

Do you consider yourself a Christian? Do you know exactly what you believe and why you believe it? It is a good starting point on the road to recovery from the idolatry of the traditions of men IF you can honestly determine the answers. It is really amazing when you inquire of people's beliefs to discover the different concepts they harbor in their minds. For instance, some people believe angels have wings and can fly? Can they document that from God's Word? No, they have just seen a lot of artists' concepts. Some people even think that heaven consists of floating around on clouds while playing harps? Some people actually believe Eve ate an apple even though the word apple is not in the book of Genesis. Some people even think that they won't be here during the reign of Satan when he comes to earth as the spurious messiah. Where did they get that silly unscriptural idea? From some preacher probably, who keeps promising his congregation a quick way out of the events of Revelation which he cannot explain because he himself is Biblically illiterate.

And obviously the people who listen to him haven't read 2 Thes. chapter 2 which clearly explains that Christians will NOT gather back to Jesus Christ until the son of perdition, Satan who comes posing as the Messiah, sits in the temple and claims to be God, i.e. Jesus. Instead, the people trust their preachers who trust the vision of a mentally ill woman who in the year 1830 dreamed up what has now become known as the Rapture theory. Church history documents it! Her name was Margaret McDonald from Glasgow, Scotland.

So now let's see... here is the choice... hmmm... believe God's Word or believe a mentally sick woman? Would you believe that the majority of professing Christianity believes the sick woman? Oh yes! Do you think Jesus was lying when He said that in the last days that the majority would be deceived by ministers representing Him (Mk. 13 & Mat. 24)?

Let's repeat the first question: Do you consider yourself a Christian? Then the following questions from the Lord GOD are for you. You will have to answer to Him, not me!

Ezekiel 20:30
Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?
Consider the following questions before you answer your Father:
1.) Do you basically believe the same thing that your parents believe or believed?

2.) If so, do you know if are you keeping God's Word or following the traditions of men?

Hello! Do you fully understand what the Lord GOD is asking? The only way you can know the answer to the second question is to check out what you believe with what the Word of God says. He wants to know whether or not you have done so! Are you polluted or not? Do you know?

These are not opinion questions, by the way. Furthermore, the questions aren't about whether or not your parents are good people or sincere or loving. Of course people don't believe they are wrong and parents don't naturally try to deceive their children. But generation after generation has followed the majority in going to church and in believing the traditions handed down. Some people think the Bible says there were three wise men at the manger. The Bible does not say how many wise men there were but it does say they entered the house of Joseph and Mary in Nazareth. You see, the wise men were never at the manger.

Have you EVER checked any of this stuff out? If not, do you really expect God to answer your prayers and let you "enquire" of Him when you believe a bunch of "Bull" and wallow in the pews where the bulls graze and recycle their cud. These elders who came from Israel did! That is the whole point of this 20th chapter of Ezekiel. God told Ezekiel to tell them THEY STINK! Knowing that, the rest of this chapter really doesn't require much commentary.

Ezekiel 20:31
For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
If you are supporting a church with your gifts and offerings, then you are supporting what that church teaches to others.

Is it "Bull" or not? You BETTER FIND OUT!

Did you know that only two of the seven end time churches in Revelation chapters two and three were found to be OK by Jesus Christ? The rest have Big Problems. (Log unto "Revelation, Live links to>>> #1834, #1835, #1836,  #1837,#1838, #1839, #1840,  and #1841  The Seven Churches)".

Ezekiel 20:32
And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
God doesn't want His children to be like the heathen and believe "Bull", so...
Proverbs 3:12
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Hebrews 12:6
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Old Testament or New Testament, it doesn't matter. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We can expect to be disciplined because He loves us. Hopefully it does some good and we say, "thank you Father"!
Ezekiel 20:33
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
If you've got it coming, you are going to get it. It is a promise from Almighty God. Deal with it!
[34] And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

[35] And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.

Uh oh! This face to face stuff could either be good or very bad! Hopefully when you come face to face with Him, He will kiss you and you will hug Him and say, "I love you Father".

I don't even like think about the alternative!

[36] Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
God is not a respecter of persons either. And He goes that extra step to guarantee fairness and completeness.
[37] And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
It helps to know a little about tending sheep, which understandably most people today do not. But out in the open pasture, when it is time to go "beddy bye", all the sheep pass under the shepherd's rod as they enter what is called a "sheepcote", which is like a sheep motel where they spend the night. (Motel 6?)

Sheepfold or Sheepcote

Thus, every sheep is accounted for. Just know that you're going under the rod, OK? And whether you are stroked or struck is up to you.

Ezekiel 20:38
And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
[39] As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
So go right ahead, believe the sick woman! Roll Easter eggs during the high sabbath of Passover, why don't you? Just don't bring me any gifts if you are not going to obey me. "Thus saith the Lord GOD."
[40] For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
All Israel shall eventually come to Mount Zion (in the Millennium), but we can enter that holy mountain now (spiritually speaking) by turning to His Word and giving our oblations (our love) to Him. That is what He wants from His children, their heartfelt love, which by definition entails doing what pleases Him, i.e. obeying Him.
Ezekiel 20:41
I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
You can count on the fact that He will gather all His children together at Mount Zion during the sabbath of rest, the 7th Day, the Millennium.
[42] And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
This is prophecy, for it has not yet come to pass. Only the House of Judah returned to the land of Israel. The House of Israel has NOT returned.
[43] And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
Hey, those folks who remain "polluted" after the manner of their fathers according to verse 30, will have 1000 years to do some remembering.  It is written in the Old Testament and the New, that they will be so ashamed and embarrassed when the true Christ returns that they would rather die than go "face to face" with Him!
Hosea 10:8
The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.
Hosea (whose name means salvation) also talks of the "high places", the churches of Aven (which means "emptiness"). Again, the people who attend churches where the "Buffalo Roam" and give their offerings and sacrifices there, will be embarrassed to the point they would rather die.
Rev. 6:16
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
He told all His children they will answer to Him face to face, one on One. You read it in this very study.
Ezekiel 20:44
And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Still want to go on believing the mentally ill woman?

Ezekiel is now going to speak a parable. However, in chapter 21 our Father will explain what it means.

Ezekiel 20:45
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

[46] Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;

Remember, Ezekiel is in Babylon and so Judah and Jerusalem would be located to the south.
[47] And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
Green trees [people] are "living trees" and dry trees [people] are "dead trees". This is speaking spiritually, meaning that ALL people are tried by fire, which is to say that all people are tested and judged by Him, according to the Word of God. Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire."
[48] And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
That "fire" comes "a blazing" at the sound of the 7th Trump when every knee shall bow at the return of the King of kings.
[49] Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
This is Ezekiel speaking the words of God, and the elders want to know why he is speaking in parables.

The answer is simple and the same as it will be in the New Testament in Mark 13 when the disciples ask Jesus the same question:
Matthew 13:10
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

[11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Hey, if you're not interested in "hearing" Him, but rather choose to remain polluted, then He's not going to be enquired of you and give you of His precious gems. You stink! Ever read Ezekiel chapter 20? Go ahead and believe the sick woman! We'll look for you in the Millennium when you're hiding in the rocks.
[12] For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
The more you study and dig into His Word and DO them, the more precious gems of truth you find. Not interested in doing your homework? Then the Bible will remain a mystery to you.
[13] Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Enough said.
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

This"American Wisdom Series" pamphlet

is

Published by:

Rhine Publishing Co.
E-mail address: americanwisdomseries@verizon.net

If you would like to have your essay published
as part of the American Wisdom Series
submit your manuscript to Rhine Publishing Co
at the address above for consideration, or e-mail us
at the address shown on our home page.

Click Here to Return to "The American Wisdom Series" home page.