Some of the elders of Israel came to visit Ezekiel. While they were sitting with him, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel, revealing that these leaders had set up idols in their hearts and were clinging to things that caused them to stumble and sin. God questioned why He should even listen to their requests.
This shows that the leaders were not genuinely seeking guidance or change. God knew their hearts. They came to Ezekiel appearing to seek counsel, but He saw the hypocrisy behind their actions. Therefore, God instructed Ezekiel to tell them to repent, turn away from their idols, and stop committing their detestable sins. God gave this message to be delivered to the leaders, addressing the need for repentance and warning those who pretend to seek divine advice while secretly holding on to their idols. It also warned of the dangers and judgement that would come upon false prophets and those who listen to them.
6 “Therefore, tell the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins.
Ezekiel 14:6-11 (NLT)
7 I, the Lord, will answer all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice.
8 I will turn against such people and make a terrible example of them, eliminating them from among my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
9 “‘And if a prophet is deceived into giving a message, it is because I, the Lord, have deceived that prophet. I will lift my fist against such prophets and cut them off from the community of Israel.
10 False prophets and those who seek their guidance will all be punished for their sins.
11 In this way, the people of Israel will learn not to stray from me, polluting themselves with sin. They will be my people, and I will be their God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!’”
God then gave Ezekiel a further message: if a land sins persistently against Him, He will stretch out His hand against it, cut off its food supply, send famine, and bring total destruction upon both people and animals. Even if righteous men such as Noah, Daniel, and Job were living in that land, they would not be able to save it; only they themselves would be delivered because of their righteousness.
12 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 13 “Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. 14 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord.
EzEKIEL 14:12-18(NLT)
15 “Or suppose I were to send wild animals to invade the country, kill the people, and make the land too desolate and dangerous to pass through. 16 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even if those three men were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be made desolate.
17 “Or suppose I were to bring war against the land, and I sent enemy armies to destroy both people and animals. 18 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even if those three men were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.
This emphasised the certainty of God’s judgement on Israel and the land of Judah. Even if the most righteous individuals were present in the city, His judgement would not be reversed. It also serves as a reminder that we cannot rely on the prayers or righteousness of others. Each person has a responsibility to repent and live righteously, or else God’s judgement will come upon the land.
Stay Blessed!
Faith With Petra 