Ezekiel 14:1-5 - Be loyal to God alone

The Prophet Ezekiel was among the earlier batch of people of Israel God sent into exile. Remember he was originally a priest. Since there was no temple in the exile, he redirected him into the Prophetic ministry. God was making available a means for those in exile who were willing to seek His direction. So, Ezekiel was among them whom they could go to seek God’s direction. Note that God will never leave us without guidance, He only expects our loyalty.  

Ezekiel 14:1 suggests that though the people of God were in exile they still had some form of leadership structure. They were in the form of the elders made up of the heads of families. These came to consult with Ezekiel to seek direction. While the prophet did not know their idolatrous hearts, their propensity did not escape the sight of God. No thought or intent of every human heart, especially that of His people ever escaped God’s notice (Hebrews 4:13).

 

So, in Ezekiel 14:2 God alerted Ezekiel and exposed their hearts’ “hidden secret.” He told the prophet saying, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity. Should I be consulted by them at all? God was not allowing Ezekiel to be their go-between; He was going to deal with them directly. His answer to them would be seen in the decisive acts demonstrated in their judgment. He was bent on removing the tendency of His people’s hearts toward idolatry. What God truly is a people truly loyal to Him alone.  

Today, there is still the possibility for believers to outwardly declare allegiance to God while secretly living an idolatrous life. There is no way a person can please God when secretly one is harboring something or someone that is treasured and cherished above Him. While this may not be seen by others, it never escapes the notice of our all-seeing God. There must not be competing allegiance in us towards God. Jesus Himself had asserted that we should not serve two masters. When we do, it will cause us to have a split allegiance and cannot stay true to Him. This must be taken seriously more so when we are called into a leadership position. Be sure to be loyal to God alone and have no other gods before Him.