Ezekiel 23:40-49: a reflection

40“Furthermore you sisters have sent for men who come from far away, to whom a messenger was sent, and behold, they came; for whom you washed yourself, painted your eyes, decorated yourself with ornaments, 41and sat on a stately bed, with a table prepared before it, whereupon you set my incense and my oil. 42“The voice of a multitude being at ease was with her. With men of the common sort were brought drunkards from the wilderness; and they put bracelets on their hands, and beautiful crowns on their heads. 43Then I said of her who was old in adulteries, ‘Now they will play the prostitute with her, and she with them.’ 44They went in to her, as they go in to a prostitute. So they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, the lewd women. 45Righteous men will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands. 46“For the Lord GOD says: ‘I will bring up a mob against them, and will give them to be tossed back and forth and robbed. 47The company will stone them with stones and dispatch them with their swords. They will kill their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire. 48“‘Thus I will cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to be lewd like you. 49They will recompense your lewdness on you, and you will bear the sins of your idols. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’”

This is part of a long and disturbing indictment of God's people for their unfaithfulness, pictured in the strongest terms. Set aside its severe imagery, and notice one detail that reveals the depth of the offense: in their idolatry, they took the very incense and oil that God had given them, and used them in the service of false gods. What God had provided for his own worship, they turned to the worship of idols; his own gifts were used against him.

Notice the particular wrong here: taking God's gifts and using them to dishonor him. The incense and oil were God's provision, meant for his worship; and they were taken and offered to idols instead. There is something especially grievous in this, using the very things God gives us in the service of what opposes him, turning his gifts against the Giver. The blessings God provided became the instruments of unfaithfulness.

That is a searching thought for us. God gives us many gifts, our resources, abilities, time, influence, opportunities, and they are meant to be used for his glory. But we can take those same gifts and use them for what dishonors him, turning his provision to purposes opposed to him, his gifts against the Giver. Consider whether you are using God's gifts, the good things he has given you, to honor him, or to serve what dishonors him. Do not take what God has given and turn it against him. Use his gifts, your resources and abilities and opportunities, in his service and for his glory, not for what opposes him. What God provides is meant to honor the Giver; use his gifts for him, not against him.

Lord, in this hard passage, your people took the very incense and oil you had given them and used them in the service of idols, turning your own gifts against you. Let that searching thought reach me. You give me many gifts, my resources, abilities, time, influence, and opportunities, and they are meant to be used for your glory. But I can take those same gifts and use them for what dishonors you, turning your provision to purposes opposed to you, your gifts against the Giver. Show me whether I am using your gifts, the good things you have given me, to honor you, or to serve what dishonors you. Keep me from taking what you have given and turning it against you. Help me use your gifts, my resources, abilities, and opportunities, in your service and for your glory, not for what opposes you. What you provide is meant to honor you, the Giver; help me use your gifts for you, and not against you.