The hand of the Lord came upon Ezekiel as he sat among the elders of Judah. This took place in the sixth year, on the sixth month, on the fifth day. Ezekiel saw a figure similar to the one he had seen in an earlier vision.
It appeared like a man, yet from the waist down it looked like fire, and from the waist up its appearance gleamed like glowing amber. The figure stretched out what seemed to be a hand and took Ezekiel by a lock of his hair.
Then the Spirit lifted Ezekiel up and carried him in a vision to Jerusalem. Ezekiel was brought to the north gate of the inner courtyard of the Temple, where stood a great idol that provoked the Lord to jealousy.
There, God drew Ezekiel’s attention to the sins and abominations being committed in the Temple. He then led Ezekiel to witness even greater detestable acts. Ezekiel was brought to the entrance of the Temple courtyard, where he noticed a hole in the wall. God instructed him to dig into the wall, and as he did, he discovered a hidden door. The Lord told him to enter and see the wicked and detestable things being done there.
Inside, Ezekiel saw that the walls were covered with carvings of all kinds of crawling creatures and detestable creatures. Various idols were being worshiped by the people of Israel. Seventy elders of Israel stood there, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan among them. Each held a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense rose above them.
This is shocking, as Shaphan was a well-known and righteous scribe during King Josiah’s reign. He played a key role in Josiah’s reforms after the Book of the Law was rediscovered in the temple, helping to turn the nation back to God. For his son to do this, therefore, reveals just how deeply idolatry and corruption had taken root, a striking symbol of Israel’s severe spiritual decline.
It’s sad that even the leaders, those who were meant to guide the people in worshiping the Lord had become corrupt and were engaging in idol worship.
12 Then the Lord said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the leaders of Israel are doing with their idols in dark rooms? They are saying, ‘The Lord doesn’t see us; he has deserted our land!’” 13 Then the Lord added, “Come, and I will show you even more detestable sins than these!”
Ezekiel 8:12-13
The Lord then brought Ezekiel to the north gate of the Temple, where he saw women sitting and weeping for the god Tammuz. Tammuz was believed to be a Babylonian idol associated with spring and fertility. His followers thought that when the green vegetation withered and died in the heat of summer, it was because Tammuz himself had died and descended into the underworld. Therefore, they wept and mourned his death. In the spring, when new vegetation appeared, they rejoiced, believing that Tammuz had come back to life.
Through this vision, God was showing Ezekiel that many people had turned away from worshiping the true God, the Creator and giver of life and were instead engaging in idol worship. God then revealed to Ezekiel even greater abominations taking place within the sanctuary of Judah.
16 Then he brought me into the inner courtyard of the Lord’s Temple. At the entrance to the sanctuary, between the entry room and the bronze altar, there were about twenty-five men with their backs to the sanctuary of the Lord. They were facing east, bowing low to the ground, worshiping the sun!
Ezekiel 9:16
God had previously shown Ezekiel the judgment that would come upon Israel, but now, through these visions, He revealed the reason for it. Israel was deep into idol worship. They had abandoned true fellowship and worship of God, and corruption was widespread among them.
Let us repent of our idols!
Stay blessed
Faith With Petra 