Certain elders came to Ezekiel, perhaps to inquire of the Lord. Then the Lord revealed Israel’s idolatrous heart, represented by the hearts of the elders that came to Ezekiel. Our God is a jealous God who wants to have an exclusive covenant with his people (Isaiah 54:5, Exodus 20:3).

God says he will bring about pestilence and sword upon Israel as punishment of their iniquity. While prophesying against Israel, he still reveals his love that wants a relationship with his children—he wants to be their God (11). So, God will leave remnants of Israel whose impurities will be purged, and they will become a source of comfort (23).

God wants us to live as his pure and holy bride (Revelation 19:7) and inherit his kingdom of joy and peace. Out of his love, he deals with our idolatrous hearts so that we can be holy like him (John 15:2, Hebrews 12:6).
Application: Father, thank you for giving us a way out of idol worship. Please forgive me for bowing down to idols in our time. Help me to live purely for you.
One Word: God will destroy all idols and idolaters