Inner Honesty

Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 20:1-32 (day seven) 
“As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me.”  (v 3)  When the elders of Judah got a “no comment” from the Lord, it must have been a shock.  Isn’t God required to listen to us when we are ready to talk?  No.  Not unless we meet the condition of inner honesty.  Not unless we stop living in denial, unwilling to face the long issues negatively impacting our relationship with Him.  For years the Lord had warned His people about the effects of idolatry (v 7), disobedience (v 13), and disregard for the Sabbath (v 20).  Had they been willing to honestly look at these sinful patterns, the heart of the Lord would have opened to them in mercy.  Failing this, only silence.  “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, in the hidden part You will MAKE me know wisdom”–Psalm 51:6.  We do not have to be perfect.  We do have to be honest.