Ezekiel 8

CHAPTER 8

Idolatry in the Temple (8:1–18)

1–5 In the next four chapters, Ezekiel describes a new vision from God; this vision came in the sixth year of his exile (verse 1), fourteen months after he received his first vision (Ezekiel 1:2). Ezekiel was in his house at the time, and some elders among the Jewish exiles had come to visit him.¹⁴ While the elders were present, Ezekiel received a vision of the temple in Jerusalem; the vision’s purpose was to show Ezekiel (and the exiles) the reason for God’s coming judgment on Jerusalem.

First, Ezekiel saw a figure like that of a man (verse 2), an ANGEL; the angel’s appearance was bright like fire (see Matthew 28:3). The angel, representing the Spirit, then took Ezekiel to the temple in Jerusalem in order to show him the idolatry and wickedness that was taking place there.¹⁵

In his vision Ezekiel saw the glory of. . . God (verse 4), just as he had seen it in his vision in the plain (see Ezekiel 3:23). But in addition to God’s glory, Ezekiel also saw man’s depravity; the first thing he noticed at the entrance to the temple was the idol that provokes to jealousy¹⁶ (verses 3,5).

6–18 In these verses Ezekiel is given a glimpse of what was taking place inside the temple. Although there was already a hole in the temple wall (verse 7), Ezekiel was told to dig deeper so that he could get inside (verses 8–9).

What he saw was detestable idolatry, including sun worship and nature worship;¹⁷ all this was taking place right inside the temple of God. No wonder God’s patience had come to an end! Now He will deal with them in anger; He will not spare them (verse 18). He will not listen to them (see Psalm 66:18).