but
if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing.
Just as it was at
the time of Elijah, those most responsible for Israel going astray are its
leaders.
Jeremiah 50:6
6 My people have
been lost sheep. Their shepherds [pastors?] have caused them to go astray. They
have turned them loose in the mountains. As they have wandered from mountain to
hill, they have forgotten where their home is.
The northern kingdom has
forgotten its roots, and it has not realized its purpose. It has left God’s Torah (instructions) and has instead
followed after other customs of other gods; all the while imagining that they
are honoring God.
Ezekiel 36:25
25 ...I will cleanse you
from all your contamination and your idols.
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you ...
27 I will make it so that you will follow My decrees and guard My
ordinances and fulfill them.
28 You will dwell in the land that I gave your forefathers; you will
be a people to Me, and I will be a God to you.
Although the northern kingdom believes
that THEY are the one's with the answers, God tells them that
they should not just be humble, but embarrassed and ashamed.
31 Then you will remember
your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will be
disgusted with yourselves in your own sight because of your
iniquities and because