Ezekiel Chapter 14
In these verses, the Lord speaks to the elders of Israel, who had come to inquire of Him through the prophet Ezekiel. However, the Lord rebukes them for their idolatry and their false worship. He tells them that they have set up idols in their hearts and put stumbling blocks before their faces, and as a result, they have no right to come and inquire of Him.
The phrase “set up idols in their hearts” refers to the fact that the elders of Israel had turned away from the Lord and were worshiping false gods. They may have been going through the motions of worshiping the Lord, but their hearts were not truly committed to Him. As a result, they were not able to truly hear from the Lord or receive His guidance.
This passage highlights the importance of genuine repentance in our relationship with God. The Lord’s rebuke to the elders of Israel shows us that it is not enough to merely go through the motions of worship or to make outward displays of piety. True worship and fellowship with God requires a genuine turning away from sin and a sincere desire to follow His will. This involves not only acknowledging our sins and asking for forgiveness but also making a conscious effort to turn away from sin and pursue righteousness.
The Lord also accuses the elders of Israel of putting stumbling blocks before their faces. This may refer to the fact that their idolatry had caused them to stumble in their relationship with God, as well as in their relationships with others. In a broader sense, this highlights the danger of idolatry and the importance of guarding our hearts against anything that might distract us or pull us away from our relationship with God.
As Christians, we are called to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds and to put nothing before Him. This means that we must be vigilant to guard our hearts from the many things that can distract us or pull us away from our relationship with God. Some examples of potential stumbling blocks might include material possessions, relationships, or even our own desires and ambitions.
In these verses, the Lord speaks to Ezekiel and tells him to speak to the elders of Israel, who had come to inquire of Him. The Lord says that even if these elders come to Him with their idols in their hearts, He will not listen to them or give them an answer. The reason for this is that the Lord wants the people of Israel to turn away from their idolatry and to come to Him with sincere hearts. One of the key principles that can be learned from this passage is the importance of sincerity in our relationship with God. The Lord makes it clear that He is not interested in false worship or insincere displays of piety. He wants His people to come to Him with genuine hearts, free from the idols and stumbling blocks that might hinder their relationship with Him. This passage also highlights the fact that God is a jealous God. The Lord does not want His people to worship other gods or to put anything before Him. This is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, as God constantly reminds His people to put their trust and faith in Him alone.
Another important lesson that we can learn from this passage is the fact that sin has consequences. The elders of Israel had turned away from the Lord and were worshiping false gods, and as a result, they were not able to receive an answer from Him. This highlights the fact that sin can hinder our relationship with God and prevent us from experiencing His blessings and guidance.
Finally, these verses serve as a reminder that God’s grace and mercy are available to all who turn to Him with sincere hearts. Despite the fact that the elders of Israel had turned away from Him, the Lord was still willing to extend His grace and forgiveness to them if they were willing to repent and turn back to Him.
In these verses, the Lord continues to speak to Ezekiel and tells him to say to the elders of Israel, “Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.” The Lord reminds the elders that if they persist in their idolatry and refuse to repent, He will set His face against them and make them a sign and a byword among the nations. One of the key principles that can be learned from this passage is the importance of repentance in our relationship with God. The Lord makes it clear that He desires His people to turn away from their idols and to come to Him with sincere hearts. Repentance involves not only acknowledging our sins but also making a conscious effort to turn away from them and pursue righteousness. This passage also highlights the fact that God is a just God. The Lord warns the elders of Israel that if they persist in their idolatry and refuse to repent, He will set His face against them and make them a sign and a byword among the nations. This serves as a warning to all who might be tempted to turn away from the Lord and to pursue false gods. God will not tolerate idolatry or sin, and there will be consequences for those who refuse to repent.
Another important lesson that we can learn from this passage is the fact that our actions have consequences. The elders of Israel had turned away from the Lord and were worshiping false gods, and as a result, they were facing the judgment of God. This highlights the fact that our choices and actions have real-world consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us. Finally, these verses remind us of the importance of obedience to God. The Lord had given His people clear commands to worship Him alone and to turn away from false gods, but the elders of Israel had chosen to disobey. This serves as a warning to us that we must be obedient to God’s commands and trust in His wisdom and guidance.
In these verses, the Lord continues to speak to Ezekiel and addresses the false prophets among the people of Israel. The Lord says that these prophets will be punished for their sins, along with those who seek their advice. The reason for this is that the false prophets have led the people of Israel astray, causing them to turn away from the Lord and to pursue false gods. One of the key principles that can be learned from this passage is the importance of discernment in our spiritual lives. The Lord warns His people to be careful about who they listen to and who they follow. The false prophets in this passage were leading the people of Israel astray, causing them to turn away from the Lord and to pursue false gods. This serves as a warning to us to be discerning in our own lives, to test everything against the Word of God, and to seek wise counsel from those who are faithful to Him. This passage also emphasizes the fact that false teachings have serious consequences. The false prophets in this passage were not only leading the people of Israel astray, but they were also facing the judgment of God for their sins. This serves as a warning to all who might be tempted to distort or manipulate the Word of God for their own purposes. False teachings have serious consequences, both for those who promote them and for those who follow them. Another important lesson that we can learn from this passage is the fact that God holds leaders accountable for their actions. The false prophets in this passage were leaders among the people of Israel, and they were being held accountable for leading the people astray. This serves as a warning to all who hold positions of leadership within the Church, reminding us that we must be faithful to God’s Word and to the people we serve.
Finally, these verses remind us of the importance of repentance and turning back to God. The Lord warns the false prophets and those who follow them to repent of their sins and to turn back to Him. This serves as a reminder that no matter how far we may have strayed from God, He is always willing to forgive us if we turn back to Him with sincere hearts.
In conclusion, Ezekiel chapter 14, emphasize the importance of discernment in our spiritual lives, the serious consequences of false teachings, the accountability of leaders for their actions, and the importance of repentance and turning back to God.
Lessons:
- The importance of genuine repentance in our relationship with God.
- The fact that God is a just God who will not tolerate idolatry or sin.
- The reality that our choices and actions have real-world consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us.
- The importance of obedience to God’s commands and trusting in His wisdom and guidance.
- The need for discernment in our spiritual lives, to test everything against the Word of God and to seek wise counsel from those who are faithful to Him.
- The serious consequences of false teachings and the need to guard against them.
- The accountability of leaders for their actions, especially in regards to leading others astray.
- The fact that God desires a sincere heart and a true desire to turn back to Him.
- The importance of avoiding idolatry and false gods and worshiping God alone.
- The fact that God’s judgment is always just and righteous, and that we must be prepared to face the consequences of our actions.
Cross references:
- Verse 3 – “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity.” – Ezekiel 20:16, Psalm 16:4
Verse 4 – “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols” – Ezekiel 20:3-4
- Verse 6 – “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” – Jeremiah 25:4-6, Acts 17:30
- Verse 7 – “For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to inquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself” – Deuteronomy 29:18-21
- Verse 11 – “That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.” – Ezekiel 37:23, Jeremiah 31:33-34, Revelation 21:3
- Verse 14 – “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.” – Genesis 6:8, Job 1:1, Daniel 1:8-9
- Verse 18 – “Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate.” – Genesis 18:23-32, Jeremiah 15:1-4
- Verse 20 – “Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” – Genesis 6:5-7, Job 42:7-9
- Verse 23 – “And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.” – Jeremiah 5:3, Ezekiel 20:43
- Verse 29 – “Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the desolation upon you for your sins, saith the Lord GOD.” – Ezekiel 6:7, Ezekiel 36:23, Isaiah 26:9