Ezekiel 23-24

Daily Devotional from Ezekiel 23--

Verses 48-49

Thus will I put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not commit lewdness as you have done. And they shall return your lewdness upon you, and you shall bear the penalty for your sinful idolatry, and you shall know that I am the Lord God.

In the biblical books written by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, we see so much prophecy of judgment coming upon the children of Israel because of their harlotry and idolatry. People reading these passages may view our God as a harsh and vindictive Deity. But unlike Satan’s oppression of people with the motive to tear down, our God disciplines with the motive to build up - to encourage people to turn away from a path of spiritual destruction, toward one of righteousness (right standing with God.)

As loving parents discipline their children to encourage good behaviors that will benefit society and their children as they mature, so our loving Father disciplines us - sometimes with a carrot, other times with a stick if necessary - but always with the motive to build us up. 

Rick Bolesta