Ezekiel 14:4-10

4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the LORD will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry.
5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’
6 “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!
7 “ ‘When any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing in Israel separate themselves from me and set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet to inquire of me, I the LORD will answer them myself.
8 I will set my face against them and make them an example and a byword. I will remove them from my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
9 “ ‘And if the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, I the LORD have enticed that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel.
10 They will bear their guilt—the prophet will be as guilty as the one who consults him.

Ezekiel 14:4-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 14

In this chapter are contained the displeasure of God at hypocritical idolaters that sought unto him, and at the false prophets; the judgments that should come upon them, and which should not be averted by the intercession of the best of men; and yet a promise that a remnant should be saved. The elders of Israel are said to sit before the prophet, Eze 14:1; to whom the Lord gives an account of them, Eze 14:2,3; and orders the prophet what he should say to them, that the Lord would answer them himself, Eze 14:4,5; and that he should bid the house of Israel repent and turn from their idols, or else the Lord would set his face against them, and cut them off, both them and the false prophets they sought unto; and this is threatened in order to reform them, and continue them his covenant people, Eze 14:6-11; and then the judgment of famine is particularly threatened; to avert which, the prayers of the best of men would be of no effect, Eze 14:12-14; and next the judgment of noisome beasts, with the same intimation, Eze 14:15,16; likewise the sword, Eze 14:17,18; and also the pestilence, Eze 14:19,20; and much less when they should be all sent together, Eze 14:21; and the chapter is concluded with a promise that a remnant should be saved; which would be a comfort to the captives of Babylon, and accounts for what the Lord had done, or would do, in Jerusalem, Eze 14:22,23.

Cross References 14

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 32:15; Ezekiel 16:45; Hosea 5:7; Zechariah 11:8
  • 2. Jeremiah 2:11
  • 3. Nehemiah 1:9; S Jeremiah 3:12; S Jeremiah 35:15
  • 4. S Isaiah 2:20; S Isaiah 30:22
  • 5. Exodus 12:48; Exodus 20:10
  • 6. ver 3; S Isaiah 8:14; Hosea 4:5; Hosea 5:5
  • 7. S Genesis 25:22
  • 8. Ezekiel 15:7
  • 9. S Numbers 16:38
  • 10. S Psalms 102:8; S Ezekiel 5:15
  • 11. S Jeremiah 42:20
  • 12. S Jeremiah 14:15
  • 13. Isaiah 63:17; Jeremiah 4:10
  • 14. 1 Kings 22:23; S 2 Chronicles 18:22; Zechariah 13:3
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