Cracks in the wall…

Ezekiel 13:13-23

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume it. So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.

“Thus will I accomplish My wrath on the wall and on those who have plastered it with untempered mortar; and I will say to you, ‘The wall is no more, nor those who plastered it,  that is, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her when there is no peace,’ ” says the Lord GOD.

“Likewise, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; prophesy against them, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves  and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive?  And will you profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?” ‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against your magic charms by which you hunt souls there like birds. I will tear them from your arms, and let the souls go, the souls you hunt like birds.  I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall no longer be as prey in your hand. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.

“Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life. Therefore you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.” ’ ”

Pasted from <http://www.blueletterbible.org/tools/printerFriendly.cfm?b=Eze&c=13&v=1&t=NKJVP>

The house looks beautiful.  Fresh paint, new flooring, bright fixtures, and the price is right.  And the buyers come.  Many are built and many purchase, happily, expecting and enjoying new habitations.  They move in and are satisfied for a time.  Then the truth behind the paint, under the flooring, behind the walls begins to surface.  Storms come and leaks appear.  Light switches don’t always work.  The flooring shifts and begins to peel.  As repairs are attempted the truth appears as layers are removed.  Those areas where “flimsy”, or “untempered” materials were used are revealed and the true value of the house, the true quality of the materials and workmanship are seen.  Same is true with the philosophies and ideologies of mankind; even those within the Christian church whose foundation is not built on what the Lord says. 

“… I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered;…”

Walls are built to protect and defend.  This wall looked good.  The house looked good.  But when the storms of life came, it fell down.  The house deteriorated quickly.  The true value, the true strength was not there in it. And those who built it were gone.  There is no recourse.  Ideologies and philosophies look good, we build on them, buy into them and then the storms of life come, and they fall down, their foundation is revealed.  There is no protection, no defense, no strength in them.

“… I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand,…” 

and

“…with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life….”

Veils hide truth, charms have no power but they entice and intrigue.

“… I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.” ’ ”…”

Christ came and truth is revealed.  He is a sure foundation to build upon.  He will not fall down or fail to protect and defend.  He gives strength when it is needed.  Life continues to happen; the storms still prevail, but their strength is diminished when compared with the strength of the Lord.  When Christ came, the veils were removed and his beauty, the beauty of freedom, far outshines any charms.  Power is His to command.  Those who know him, truly know him, know truth and are set free.  This search for knowledge of Christ and God through him, reveals not only what is available to us but also what is hidden in the claims of mankind’s propositions.  Knowledge begets wisdom and begins with fear of the Lord – Proverbs.

“…Proverbs 9:10  – “The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One [is] understanding….”

“They shall know that I am the Lord.”  Time in his word reveals knowledge of him; knowledge of him brings wisdom and reveals the cracks in the wall.