BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusનમૂનો

So far, Ezekiel has proven willing to do anything God instructs to get the Israelites’ attention. When societies embrace unjust practices over time, cruel evils become normal. In today’s reading, Ezekiel speaks against these “norms” with creative rhetorical devices from his prophetic toolbox. He’ll do this to expose the corruption of Israel’s leaders, and to warn them about the consequences of their decisions.

For the Southern Kingdom’s puppet ruler, Ezekiel uses street theatre. The prophet packs his bags and carries his luggage down the road as a dramatic symbol of Zedekiah’s fate: exile, for both the king and his remaining subjects in Jerusalem.

For the false prophets promising peace to the exiles, Ezekiel uses metaphor. These sweet-talking teachers tell sunny lies to the exiles in Yahweh’s name, but their message is like a slapdash paint job on a crumbling wall. When Yahweh’s fierce judgment comes, their tower of tall tales will topple.

And for the idolatrous elders of Israel, Ezekiel uses hypotheticals. He argues that if the most righteous mediators in history—Noah, Daniel, and Job—intervened before God, even their prayers wouldn’t convince Yahweh to turn his severe judgment away from Israel.

Ezekiel warns these corrupt religious leaders that their idol-worship leads to iniquity—the Hebrew word ‘avon, which can refer to both crooked behavior and its consequences. Watch the video to learn more about the meaning of the word iniquity in the Bible and God’s gracious response to it.

Reflection Questions

• Compare Ezekiel’s accusations against false prophets in Ezekiel 13 to Jesus’ warnings about deceptive religious leaders in Matthew 7:15-27. What common themes and images do you notice? How does today’s reading help you understand Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount?
• Meditate on the conversation between Abraham and Yahweh in Genesis 18:16-33. What happened when Abraham interceded before Yahweh on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah? How does that compare to Ezekiel 14:12-23? What does this contrast reveal about the state of Israel in Ezekiel’s day?