EZEKIEL 8

9 And He said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations [to'evot hara'ot] that they do here.

Israel as dross is exemplified in the denunciations of the prophets. Their drossiness is seen in the abominations they practised in burning incense to reptiles and filthy beasts, and idols of every sort; in their women weeping for Tammuz, the Adonis of the Greeks; and in their worshipping the sun between the porch and the altar with their backs toward the temple of Yahweh (Ezek. 8:7, 8).

They are still in the drossy state with the curse of Moses on them. With the exception of circumcision (which, however, was not from Moses, but from Abraham) they do nothing he commanded them to do; and, therefore, disregarding him, they necessarily reject Jesus, of whom he wrote. "Cursed is every one," says Moses, "that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

Israel lives in the perpetual violation of the law, and yet seeks justification by that law, which only thunders the curses of mount Ebal in their ears. "Cursed be he," saith Moses, "that taketh reward to slay an innocent person." This Israel did in paying Judas thirty pieces of silver for the betraying of Jesus, and in their priests taking the price of blood returned to them, and purchasing therewith the Potter's Field.

The Pagan judge pronounced him faultless; and in this declaration convicts the Jewish nation of the crime of "TAKING THE REWARD OF TREACHERY PAID TO EFFECT THE DEATH OF AN INNOCENT PERSON." And the crime being committed, the people shouted the "Amen," saying: "Let his blood be upon us, and upon our children!" These children, or posterity, are with us at this day -- "the dross of silver in the midst of the furnace of affliction, 'left' of Yahweh, and 'melted'."

But, if Israel be the dross of silver, the Gentiles are the dross of brass, iron, lead, and tin. The Gentile dross is no purer than Israel's. Israel boasts in Moses, and pays no regard to what he prescribes; and the Gentiles bepraise Jesus while their eyes are closed and their hearts steeled against his doctrine and commands; so that Jews and Gentiles are all guilty before God -- they only excepted who believe the Gospel of the kingdom and obey it.

Eureka 1.5.10.