Ezekiel 11:12 - …for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you.
The Israelites were a separate people. The Lord wanted them to be an example, different from the others in their land. Instead, the Israelites strove to become like the countries and nations amongst them. They forgot the teachings of the Lord and His prophets, and turned to the idolatry and barbarism of the day. They choose to be conformers instead of reformers. They had been placed in that position to be a light to the nations around them, but they chose to join in the wicked behaviors. We are also placed to be a light. We are to witness to those around us. Be it far from us to join in their evil behaviors. We, like the Israelites, are set apart.
I Kings 8:53 - For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O LORD God.
1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
