I have been reading through Ezekiel the last couple of days. It was striking that 49 times in Ezekiel we find the phrase, "The Word of the Lord came to me". "The glory of the Lord" is another key phrase in Ezekiel. It occurs over and over in the first 11 chapters and then again in chapter 43. It was because of the lack of obedience which was pointed out over and over as . . . "the Word of the Lord came to the prophet," that The glory of the Lord was withdrawn and the destruction of Jerusalem took place.
The Word of the Lord comes through God's servants whose hearts have been broken. But this book is not just about destruction, but also about restoration or revival. In the Old Testament, "the glory of the Lord" refers to the light shining between the cherubim in the holy of holies - it was the evidence of the presence of God. The "glory of the Lord" was forced out of the Temple at Jerusalem by the idolatry and disobedience of God's people. Their captivity was a result of their sin, and the only way they would return to their land would be for them to return to the Lord.
As believers we can grieve the Holy Spirit and resist Him until He is forced to allow our hearts to become like a ruined temple deprived of His glory. We grieve Him when we don't allow enough time to read and study His Word or pray. We limit His Spirit when we refuse to live as clean vessels through which He can work. We resist Him by allowing idols to be in our hearts. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Does His presence and glory shine in our lives?
Not only do individuals fall away from the Lord, but so do nations and the Lord's church. "The glory of the Lord" will leave a church and nation because of the sin and idolatry of God's people. God's blessing and glory will return to His people when His people return to Him. What or who do you worship? The Word of the Lord has come to us. If we don't obey, the glory of the Lord is forced out. In obedience may we worship Him wholly and see the glory of the Lord! mjm
