Ezekiel 20-26

“And I gave them My statues … by which, if a man observes them, he will live” (20:11).  God gave Israel a way of living that was healthy, productive, and peaceful.  But they rejected Him and copied their neighbors, indulging in idolatry, mistreating foreigners, tolerating rape, incest, murder, and bribery (22:6-12).  God compared their actions to the behavior of promiscuous women (ch 23).  Thinking they were “free,” the women embraced lives of immorality, and the result was brokenness and pain.

God created us to live joyfully and productively in His beautiful world.  When we try to be our own gods, we lose the blessings of being His creatures.