“I saw that disgusting idol by the altar”
(Ezek 8:5, CEV)
Ezekiel 8 is perhaps Scripture’s most expansive chapter on idolatry within the church. In the verse quoted above reference is made to the idolatrous images erected on the northern side of the inner court (2 Kings 16:14), and which are called images of jealousy.
Spiritual zeal is a very admirable trait in any believer. Throughout the Word we are encouraged to zealously storm the Kingdom of God, and conquer it to boot (Matt 11:12). In 2 Pet 1:4 we are told that zeal is an important element needed to gain a “divine nature”. In verses 5 to 7 Peter establishes an unfolding order through which the individual gains spiritual strength. It all starts with faith, he notes in verse 5, to which one adds zeal, this combination unlocking other spiritual gifts. But zeal remains the exact next step after you have come to faith, and thus constitutes a very important activity, especially within the context of the outer court.
But in Zeph 3:7 God gives a warning to all those that “rose early (=overeager) and corrupted all their deeds”. This correlates with those individuals brimming with zeal, yet without knowledge (Rom 10:2). Solomon made it clear – zeal without knowledge is never a good thing, and “he sins who hastens with his feet” (Prov 19:2).
Two of Aaron’s sons brought their sacrifices before God using “profane fire”, that “which He had not commanded them” (Lev 10:1), and both died because of it. The meaning of the first son’s name, Nadab, is to present things with zeal, “to present spontaneously”. Zeal without knowledge is often profane fire, an “image of jealousy”. The paraphrased meaning of the second son’s name, Abihu, is I do things EXACTLY the way my father did it, which clearly links with tradition.
Prototypically we could conclude that zeal without knowledge and tradition are the two elements which bring about profane fire on the altar. Just about all the examples we have mentioned in this short subsection covering the false horns of the altar can be divided into one of these categories. Throughout our walk with God all spiritual actions should be tested to ensure that we do not sacrifice to God using profane fire.
- Sela: Think and pray about the last sentence stated above.
- Read: 1 Kings 7; Ecc 3; 1 Tim 4
- Memorise 1 Tim 4:1 (very important within the context of this teaching)
