Introduction
    If an individual has a manmade view of God he/she will not think much about accountability. Recently I read Henry Blackaby's devotional and his thoughts apply to this lesson. Where do you turn when you experience a crisis? When you are hurting or afraid, to whom do you go? In financial problems, to whom do you want to go first? Where do you seek comfort when you are under stress or discouraged? The study of this lesson will guide us to understand what happens to individuals, and nations, if they reject God and the proper accountability to Him.

1.    Declaring Accountability to the Ammonites for . . Rejecting God.
        Ezek 25:1-4 a (HCSB)

A.    The Rejection of God . . Declared to the Prophet. 25:1-3 a
    1 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 2 Son of man, turn your face toward the Ammonites and prophesy against them. 3 Say to the Ammonites: Hear the word of the Lord God: This is what the Lord God says:"

B.    The Rejection of God . . Detailed to the People. 25:3 b
    ". . . Because you said: Good! about My sanctuary when it was desecrated, about the land of Israel when it was laid waste, and about the house of Judah when they went into exile,

C.    The Rejection of God . . Disciplined in the
        Possession of the People.  25:4 a
    4 a therefore I am about to give you to the people of the east as a possession."

    The Prophet, Ezekiel, received the call from God to declare His message of judgment to the Ammonites. God tells him to set his face against them; often the facial expression adds to the communication of the voice. In the message; Ezekiel declares the reasons behind God's judgment. The Ammonites were delighted when the sanctuary was desecrated; the land of Israel and the people of Judah were taken captive. Only then does God announce the discipline He has for the Ammonites as He gives them as a possession to the people of the East.

2.    Declaring Accountability to the Philistines for . . Rejecting God.
                                                                                Ezek 25:15, 17 (HCSB)
A.    The Rejection of God Results In . . Revenge. 25:15
    15 This is what the Lord God says: Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with deep contempt, destroying [because of their] ancient hatred,

B.    The Rejection of God Results In . . Revelation. 25:17
    17 I will execute great vengeance against them with furious rebukes. They will know that I am the Lord when I take My vengeance on them.

    In these verses does God demonstrates that He does not want any human beings showing revenge? I think so! The act of revenge is reserved for the Lord; because He is the only one who can do it correctly. The Philistines rejected accountability to God, and pressed forward with acts of revenge. God does not approve, and promises His acts of vengeance toward the Philistines. Through these actions God proceeds to wake them up to His power and reveals Himself so they will know He is God. It would have been best for them to learn about Him through scripture. Can we learn from their mistakes?

3.    Declaring Accountability to the People of Tyre for . . Rejecting God.
                                                                                        Ezek 26:2-3 (HCSB)
A.    The Rejection of God and the . . Delight of the People. 26:2
    2 Son of man, because Tyre said about Jerusalem: Good! The gateway to the peoples is shattered. She has been turned over to me. I will be filled [now that] she lies in ruins,

B.    The Rejection of God and the . . Devastation from God. 26:3
    3 therefore this is what the Lord God says: See, I am against you, Tyre! I will raise up many nations against you, just as the sea raises its waves.

    God may bring judgment but He does not want pagan nations delighting in the ruins of other nations. This is particularly true as it relates to His discipline toward Israel. Tyre delighted in God's judgment on Jerusalem, but He brought many nations against them to bring devastation upon them.

4.    Declaring Accountability to the Ruler of Tyre for . . Rejecting God.
                                                                    Ezek 28:2, 5 (HCSB)
A.    The Rejection of God and the . . Postulations of the Ruler. 28:2
    2 Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre: This is what the Lord God says: Your heart is proud, and you have said: I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea. Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god.

A.    The Rejection of God and the . . Pride of the Ruler. 28:5
    5 By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has become proud because of your wealth.

    The statement; "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" applies to the Ruler of Tyre. He declares himself to be a god, and regards his heart as that of a god. What pompous postulations! The Ruler of Tyre has great skill in trading, and through it has become proud. It is from this base that he declares himself to be a god. It will be good for us to learn from God's judgment on many people in this lesson that we need to be God's people Declaring Universal Accountability to Him. Amen? Amen!