Ezekiel 14:1-23
Q.1. What did God hope to achieve through Ezekiel’s prophetic role … and the punishment of His people? – (Ezk.14:1-11)
God told Ezekiel that the elders who came to him for a word from the Lord, had set up idols in their hearts, and were a stumbling block to the nation (Ezk.14:1-5). He was to tell them – “Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations (Ezk.14:6). Without a change of heart, their prayers and petitions would not stave off the pending judgment regardless of assurances from the false prophets (Ezk.14:7-10). Ezekiel was told by God to explain that God’s wrath was an act of mercy, not intended to destroy the covenant bond, but rather – in order that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me and no longer defile themselves with all their transgressions. They will be My people, and I shall be their God,”‘ declares the Lord God.” (Ezk.14:11). Our God is a pardoning God.
Q.2. What point was God making in reference to Noah, Daniel, and Job? – (Ezk.14:12-20)
God had determined to execute His judgment on the nation (Ezk.14:13, 15, 17, 19). Even the intercession of the three men renowned in history for their righteousness – Noah, Daniel, and Job, would not change His plans – though these three men were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord God, “they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters. They alone would be delivered, but the country would be desolate (Ezk.14:16 c.f. Ezk.14:18, 20). God is sovereign. No one can thwart His purposes (c.f. Job 42:2). Though godly people may influence others, their righteousness will only avail for themselves. To belong to a so-called ‘Christian’ family or nation, is no safeguard for an individual. Salvation is not gained from our family or race. It is only found in the Saviour, Jesus Christ. Salvation must be personally appropriated through repentance of sin, and faith in God’s One and Only Son.
Q.3. Why did God detail the coming judgments? – (Ezk.14:21-23)
God predicted that – I will send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague to cut off man and beast from it! (Ezk.14:21). However, God would leave survivors, both sons and daughters, who would bear testimony to what had happened to Jerusalem – even as the Lord had promised (Ezk.14:22). The fact that God had kept His promises of both judgment and correction would bring comfort – Then they will comfort you when you see their conduct and actions, for you will know that I have not done in vain whatever I did to it,” declares the Lord God (Ezk.14:23). Micah had a similar view of the Lord when he wrote – 18 Who is a God like You who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depth of the sea.t all their sins into the depth of the sea (Mic.7:18-19).