Like Fathers, like Sons

Intro

So the Jewish elders roll in and ask questions of the Lord. However, the prophet knew that their hearts weren’t right with God.

Ezekiel 20:1–3 ESV

1 In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and sat before me. 2 And the word of the Lord came to me: 3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God, Is it to inquire of me that you come? As I live, declares the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you.

v. 30-32 tells us they had no right to ask the Lord fo instructions.

Those who can seek God’s guidance should have a willingness to submit and obey God.

We don’t know what they wanted to ask God about. Here’s the reality, whatever God told them, they had no intention of obeying.

Ezekiel 33:31–33 ESV

31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. 32 And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. 33 When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Ezekiel’s response is to give the people a history lesson and point out the repeated rebellion of the people while the Lord continued to shower them with grace.

There’s a saying that says, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”

In fact, history shows that we are doomed to repeat history whether we learn history or not.

One author said, “History is a vast early warning system.”

Another said, “History teaches us the mistakes we are going to make.”

Why?

The wisest person in the world, King Solomon said:

Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV

9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

Even in Ezekiel’s day, they had the benefit of the previous historians, prophets and psalmists who were honest enough to lay bare the sins of the nation and record them for future generations to learn from.

They didn’t learn. Frankly, neither do we.

Acts 14:14–18 ESV

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Acts 17:22–31 ESV

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ 29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Here’s something that I’d like for us to understand. Even though we see throughout history, that God’s people have continuously failed to be obedient and follow Him. Even though we know there is one and ONLY ONE true and living God, we find ourselves creating idols or false gods to worship.

The thread throughout scripture and my only point this morning is this:

God does not lower His standards, He raises His people.

Ezekiel 20:32–44 ESV

32 “What is in your mind shall never happen—the thought, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone.’ 33 “As I live, declares the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out I will be king over you. 34 I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out. 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. 36 As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord God. 37 I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. 38 I will purge out the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against me. I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 39 “As for you, O house of Israel, thus says the Lord God: Go serve every one of you his idols, now and hereafter, if you will not listen to me; but my holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts and your idols. 40 “For on my holy mountain, the mountain height of Israel, declares the Lord God, there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your sacred offerings. 41 As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations. 42 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your fathers. 43 And there you shall remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you shall loathe yourselves for all the evils that you have committed. 44 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord God.”

Growing up I had a basketball goal in my backyard.

Benny Hinn & Costi Hinn

Kanye West

God will demonstrate His holiness THROUGH His people and not just TO His people. God rescues us from ourselves.

Despite generations of idolatry, God deals with His people for the sake of His name rather than according to their evil ways.

He doesn’t treat His people the way they deserve but blesses them for His own glory.

God’s grace ultimately overcomes all of our rebellion. Despite our unfaithfulness, God chose to forsake His Son instead of forsaking us.

Christ alone atoned for our sins.

Throughout scripture we see that God did not give up on Israel in Egypt or in the wilderness or in Canaan because He brings to completion the work He begins.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

You cannot out sin God’s grace.