What does "I will not be inquired of by you" reveal about God? Setting the Scene: Ezekiel 20:3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to consult Me? As surely as I live, I will not be inquired of by you,’ declares the Lord GOD.” What the Statement Shows about God’s Character • Uncompromising holiness—God will not mingle His pure counsel with polluted motives (Isaiah 6:3; Habakkuk 1:13). • Moral clarity—He discerns the heart posture behind every request (1 Samuel 16:7; Hebrews 4:13). • Righteous jealousy—He safeguards exclusive devotion to Himself (Exodus 34:14). • Sovereign freedom—He is never obligated to speak when His authority is being ignored (Psalm 115:3). Why God Refuses Inquiry from the Rebellious • Persistent idolatry among Israel’s elders (Ezekiel 20:4, 16) made their inquiries hypocritical. • Ignoring prior revelation renders new guidance pointless (Proverbs 28:9; James 1:22). • God’s word is not a convenience item; it demands obedience (1 Samuel 15:22; Luke 6:46). Implications for Covenant Relationship • Access to God’s counsel is a covenant privilege, not an automatic right (Deuteronomy 7:9–10). • Reverent obedience keeps the communication line open (John 14:21; 1 John 3:22). • Unrepentant sin severs fellowship, even when outward worship continues (Isaiah 1:15; Micah 3:4). Divine Refusal as Mercy • Shutting down hollow inquiries spares people deeper judgment for disregarding fresh revelation (Matthew 11:21–24). • Silence jolts the sinner toward repentance (Amos 8:11–12). • It preserves the integrity of God’s name before the nations (Ezekiel 36:22–23). How the Principle Applies Today • God still resists those who approach with divided hearts (James 4:8). • Genuine repentance restores the privilege of “bold access” (Hebrews 10:22). • Ongoing obedience keeps the believer sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance (John 10:27). Key Takeaways • God’s guidance cannot be separated from submission to His lordship. • A closed heaven signals a deeper heart issue, not divine weakness. • The sure path to renewed counsel is wholehearted return to God (Jeremiah 29:13; Hosea 6:1). |
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