Ezekiel: For His Gloryഉദാഹരണം

The main focus of Ezekiel up to now has been God’s judgment because of the religious sins of Israel. The focus shifts in this chapter. 

Ezekiel acts as the prosecutor, judging the people primarily for their sin of bloodshed (vv. 1–5). Both the princes of Israel and the people are involved in social sins – sins committed against one another. The first list of sins is aimed at the princes of Israel (vv. 6–8). The next list includes others also (vv. 9–12). The sins mentioned in these lists mainly reflect the Holiness Code (Lev. 18–20). The point is that there is a comprehensive breaking of God’s laws. Again the sins derive from the same fundamental problem: forgetting God (cf. 16:22, 43; Deut, 4:9; 8:1–20). 

Another list of sins is targeted at specific groups of people in Israel: prophets, priests, princes, and the people of the land (vv. 23–29). These leaders failed in their responsibility to guide and protect the people; indeed, they abused their positions to exploit the defenseless – the poor, the needy, and the sojourner. 

Of course, God will judge Israel for this catalog of sins, with a particular emphasis on bloodshed (vv. 13–22). He will disperse Israel among the nations and will consume the people’s uncleanness. God uses the image of a furnace, which is often the place for refining or purifying by God (e.g. Isa. 48:10; Mal. 3:2–3). This is not true in this case, though. Here, rather than producing pure silver or gold, all that is produced in the furnace is the dross, the unwanted by-products. That’s how debased Israel has become. 

Yet God does not rush headlong into judgment. He searches for a righteous one among them, who would plead on their behalf (v. 30; cf. 13:5), like Moses in the past (e.g. Ps. 106:19–23). But this time He cannot find anyone. Then the righteousness of God’s judgment is repeated: the people are held accountable for their sin (vv. 3, 4, 31). 

Reflection

Praise God for Jesus who saves us from God’s judgment by shedding His own blood for us (Rom. 5:8–9). He is our sure defense against God’s wrath; He justifies the guilty; He cleanses those who have blood on their hands.