The second half of Ezekiel 13 talks about those who will try and cover up their situation and evil by “slapping on the whitewash” and making it look good on the surface. A lot of people spend a lot of time trying to make things look good on the outside. But that doesn’t really make much difference to God. We convince ourselves that appearance is what matters. We spend lots of time and money making ourself and all that we do look a certain way. That is what was happening in Ezekiel’s time – ther were focused on “making it look so good”. God is not impressed by looks. In fact, in this discussion a “wall” is used as the illustration. God says after He dumps His wrath and wipes away the façade, “there is no wall….they wasted their time”. Painting the outside doesn’t change the inside nor reality. God sees us as we are. He knows our business as it is. We can put on things to make it look different to others, but not God. And He is the only one who really matters folks. Sure it is nice to be complimented on how we look or act, how our business appears to be. But if we aren’t letting the truth out, those compliments are shallow and have no meaning. God is not impressed by us. God is interested in our heart. The question comes down to what audience we are playing for. We better be focused on an audience of One. All the rest are mere spectators in the life we live. Our focus and the source of our attention needs to be on pleasing God and Him alone. If we succeed there, all the rest will be just fine. The chapter ends with the truth we have heard over and over in Ezekiel’s writings as he tells us why God will do what He does: so “you’ll know that I am God”. Do you know that? Are you focused on Him and Him alone, and not what others think or say? Live life for an audience of One. Quit trying to make it look good, just be good!
3 Apr
