Ezekiel 14

CHAPTER 14

Idolaters Condemned (14:1–11)

1–6 Among the exiles, Ezekiel was gradually becoming known as a prophet. Here some elders of Israel (elders among the exiles) went to Ezekiel to ask him to inquire of the Lord for them; that is, they asked Ezekiel to find out if God had any word for them (verses 1–3).

The Lord revealed to Ezekiel that these “elders” secretly worshiped idols (verse 3); the idols were, in effect, spiritual stumbling blocks preventing them from worshiping the Lord with an undivided heart (Ezekiel 11:18). The Lord was displeased; He instructed Ezekiel to tell them that He Himself would answer their inquiry (verse 4). The “answer” would be one of judgment; idol worshipers deserved the death penalty (Deuteronomy 13:6–18). However, God’s purpose in punishing these elders would be to recapture the hearts of the exiles, most of whom were still worshiping idols (verse 5). God’s punishments are always designed to bring people to REPENTANCE. God’s answer to the idol–worshiping elders and to all the exiles was this: “Repent! Turn from your idols” (verse 6).

Why does God hate idolatry in all its forms? Because idolatry is the worship of false “gods,” and to worship them is to offend the one true God. God has told us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5); that leaves no place for loving idols. No one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).

These elders wanted guidance from God, but God does not give guidance to people with divided hearts. Christians today commonly ask God for “guidance,” but in their heart they are not committed to doing whatever God might tell them. They place conditions on their obedience; they have “idols” in their hearts—loved ones, parents, children, career, possessions, ambition—one or more of which comes before God and keeps them from committing themselves totally to Him. Such people will not receive guidance from the Lord—until they have truly put Him first.²¹

7–11 The Lord then told Ezekiel that He would cut ... off²² any person who worshiped idols and yet at the same time came to inquire of Him (verse 8)—unless, of course, that person repented. Those who refused to repent would be made an example to deter others from worshiping idols.

In verse 9, the Lord says that if a false prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, it is the Lord who has “enticed” him. The Lord does not tempt anyone to do evil (James 1:13–14), but the Lord does “give people over” to their sins (Romans 1:24,26,28). Furthermore, even evildoers and false prophets are under God’s ultimate control; they can do nothing unless He allows it.²³

Judgment Inescapable (14:12–23)

12–20 In this section, the Lord says that a nation or community cannot expect to escape judgment by relying on the righteousness of a few individuals. The Lord cites three RIGHTEOUS individuals as examples—Noah, Daniel²⁴ and Job (verse 14)—and says that their righteousness will save only themselves and no one else.²⁵ Sinful individuals will receive the punishment for their own sins; righteous individuals will receive the reward for their own righteousness (Galatians 6:7). Every individual is responsible for his or her own standing before God (2 Corinthians 5:10).

In these verses the Lord describes four different judgments: famine (verses 12–14), wild beasts (verses 15–16), a sword (verses 17–18), and a plague²⁶ (verses 1920). In each case, the three righteous men would be able to save only themselves. Even their children could not rely on their father’s righteousness for salvation.²⁷

21–23 The Lord says that some people will survive the judgment that is about to fall on Jerusalem (verse 22). These survivors will be as evil and unrepentant as the rest of Jerusalem’s population, but by God’s grace they will escape death and be sent into exile in Babylonia. When the new exiles arrive, then those already exiled will be consoled (verse 23), because they will see from the evil behavior of the new exiles just how wicked the people of Jerusalem had become. Then they will know that God had acted justly in destroying Jerusalem, and this knowledge will give them consolation.