Ezekiel 8:11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.

 

In the vision, Ezekiel was now inside the Temple. The Lord showed him what was going on behind the Door and He called it, wicked abominations.

 

The people had made permanent carvings of satanic images and idols on the walls and to make it even worse, there stood seventy men who would represent the elders. These men were the elite, highly favored in the synagogue and every one of them was holding his own censer (incense burner). The burning of incense was a form of worship and they were ALL burning their incense in worship of these evil idols and symbols which had been permanently carved on the walls of the Temple.

 

This paints an extremely sad picture and to make it even worse, Jaazaniah, the son of Shaphan, was among them. Jaazaniah is the only one God singles out and names in this Vision. Since there are four men in the Bible named Jaazaniah, the Holy Spirit is careful to say this was, Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. 

 

Shaphan was a highly trusted and educated Scribe. We read in 2 Kings 22 that he was entrusted with the money that had been collected to make the needed repairs to the Temple.  In addition to that, Shaphan was given the Book of Law which had recently been found. There is much more to learn about Shaphan, but suffice it to say, he was a highly trusted individual.

 

Here in Ezekiel’s vision was Jaazaniah, the son of Shaphan. He too had been corrupted and stood among the seventy elders who were worshiping the carvings on the walls of the Temple, which represented satanic idols. What a sad picture! 

 

When we take a step back and observe the highly esteemed men of God in the Christian world today, we find few who have escaped the corruption of the enemy. Many of these people are the sons of men who God used to preach the Gospel to millions and see the sick, healed by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Their sons, however, have allowed evil to creep in and are now seeking money and power. Another very sad picture indeed.

 

We need not judge these men but examine our own Temple for the evil we worship inside. If you know this song, sing it and let it be your prayer this morning. Lord prepare me~~~to be a Sanctuary,~~~pure and holy,~~~tried and true.~~~ With thanksgiving,~~~I’ll be a living,~~~Sanctuary,~~~Lord for you.

 

Only the Lord can do such a work. Only God can……..turn the tide

 

Lord prepare me to be a Sanctuary,      Doreen

 

www.bettsministries.org