The Beauty of Holiness: A Call to Examine Our Ornamentation

"As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them." - Ezekiel 7:20

"As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them." - Ezekiel 7:{verse.verse_number}

In Ezekiel 7:20, we encounter a deeper revelation of God’s heart and His persistent desire for purity in the lives of His people. The verse states: **"As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them."** At first glance, this verse speaks to physical artifacts, but upon reflection, it unveils a profound spiritual truth relevant in our daily walk with God.

In this passage, we see a stark contrast between the beauty God bestowed upon His people and the corrupting influences they embraced. **“The beauty of his ornament”** signifies God’s intended glory and majesty, which He desired to reflect through His people. Ornamentation in the biblical sense often represents honor, dignity, and the enhanced beauty brought forth from righteousness. It reminds us of how God created beauty in the very fabric of creation and bestowed His Spirit upon us to manifest that beauty in our lives.

However, as we read further, we see this beauty tarnished by **“images of their abominations and of their detestable things.”** These images represent idolatry—a betrayal of God’s gifts and attributes. It echoes the heart of their rebellion; instead of holding onto the divine beauty He offered, they turned their eyes toward what was corrupt and vile. It reminds us that the heart of man is prone to wander toward false idols, to craft our ornaments from that which is not only transient but seeks to detract from the glory of God.

Ezekiel’s lament hits home when we consider how this applies to us today. What ornaments are we crafting in our lives? Are they reflective of God’s majesty, or have they become marred by our abominable pursuits? These abominations might not be carved images or physical idols as in ancient Israel but can take numerous forms in our modern world: possessions, status, or even unresolved conflicts within us that distract from our relationship with God.

When God declares, **“therefore have I set it far from them,”** it is both a warning and an invitation. It is a warning about the consequences of our choices—to be separated from the beauty and majesty of God as a direct result of our idolatry. But it also invites us back into communion with Him, urging us to reflect on what we allow to beautify our lives.

The beauty that adorns our lives should stem from a humble relationship with Christ. As we submit our lives to His sanctifying power, He transforms our personal ornaments into vessels for His glory. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, **“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”** This is an invitation to let go of our earthly ornaments, the things that do not hold eternal value, and instead—through our service, love, and acts of kindness—reflect the true ornament of grace bestowed upon us.

In practical terms, we are encouraged today to conduct a diligent self-examination. Consider, are the things in your life leading you closer to God, or are they distractions pulling you into a land of spiritual desolation? The Lord desires not just our momentary attention but our entire lives adorned with His purity, reflecting His life, love, and beauty.

Through this awareness, let us proactively strip away the detestable ornaments and embrace anew the beauty of holiness. Let us remember, as Ezekiel reminds us, that our identity and worth are founded upon our relationship with God, the ultimate ornament of glory. May we strive to adorn ourselves with His majesty, seeking always to bring forth beauty—mirroring the one who called us from darkness into His marvelous light.

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Ezekiel 7:20 Artwork

Ezekiel 7:20 - "¶ As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them."

Ezekiel 7:20 - "¶ As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them."

"¶ As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them." - Ezekiel 7:20

"¶ As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them." - Ezekiel 7:20

Ezekiel 20:7 - "Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."

Ezekiel 20:7 - "Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:40

Ezekiel 20:40

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:40

Ezekiel 20:40

Ezekiel 20:40

Ezekiel 20:40

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:40

Ezekiel 20:40

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 20:41

Ezekiel 27:20 - "Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots."

Ezekiel 27:20 - "Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots."

Ezekiel 20:2 - "Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 20:2 - "Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 21:7

Ezekiel 21:7

Ezekiel 28:20 - "¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 28:20 - "¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 20:45 - "¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 20:45 - "¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 20:20 - "And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God."

Ezekiel 20:20 - "And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God."

Ezekiel 37:7

Ezekiel 37:7

Ezekiel 37:20 - "¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes."

Ezekiel 37:20 - "¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes."

Ezekiel 37 1-7

Ezekiel 37 1-7

Ezekiel 24:20 - "Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 24:20 - "Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Revelation 20:7

Revelation 20:7

Revelation 20:7

Revelation 20:7

Revelation 20:7

Revelation 20:7

Ezekiel 21:20 - "Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced."

Ezekiel 21:20 - "Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced."

Ezekiel 20:48 - "And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched."

Ezekiel 20:48 - "And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched."

Ezekiel 20:35 - "And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face."

Ezekiel 20:35 - "And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face."

Psalm 20 :7

Psalm 20 :7