Ezekiel 11:1-4
The final scene of Ezekiel's vision begins with the Spirit lifting him again to deliverying him to the East Gate. There, at the door, were 25 men. These were likely the same 25 that worshiped the sun in 8:6. They included Jaazaniah and Pelatiah; these were leaders that Ezekiel recognized. The word 'princes' is a title that means high ranking officials or members of the aristocracy. There' s really nothing else known of these men other than what is told. They devise iniquity, as in fabricate, plot, design or weave the plans among the people. Then they give wicked counsel to bring their plans about. They were not doing what was best for the people but looking out for their own wellbeing. Verse 3 is somewhat confusing and seen by commentators. It seems the men are declaring that the people shouldn't build houses – this could also mean 'start families.' They saw themselves in the city like meat in a cauldron. The wicked leaders did nothing to change the situation, they just stifled the people's hope for a future. Ezekiel was to prophecy against them.
Ezekiel 11:5-13
Ezekiel is overwhelmed with the word and the emotion and he was to speak to the people. The Lord knew the plots and plans; even the dark and secret plans they harbored in their heart. The Lord saw into their hearts and minds. It is their sin that has brought them to this point and multiplied the slain. It would be just as they said. The slain would be the meat and the city the cauldron. This is the reverse of the way they stated it. They may have saw the city as a cauldron of protection. But the analogy was reversed and they would be the meat in the cauldron of judgment. The officials would be brought out while the people would be slain. Zedekiah and his officials would be captured in the fall of Jerusalem.
The judgment of the officials would be done at the border of the city. We see this happen at Riblah in 2 Kings 25:6, 20-21. Any doubt they harbored about Yahweh doing what was prophesied would be removed in the delayed judgment and the location of it. It was then they would fully believe that He is Lord. They would understand God's anger at their idolatry and worship of other gods.
While Ezekiel was prophesying, Pelatiah keeled over and died. Ezekiel fell on his face and mourned; he was shocked by the immediacy of the judgment. Ezekiel fears for the future of Israel as a nation and the Jews as a people.
Ezekiel 11:14-21
Some were already in exile. The prophets warned the rest that judgment was coming. They ignored the warnings. They thought the Lord had taken the others and given the land to them. They asked that all the people speaking of conquering and the fall of Jerusalem to stay away. They thought they had it all figured out.
The Lord responded to this through Ezekiel. Even though they were a long way off, He would be their sanctuary. God had no geographical limitations. The people in Jerusalem thought they possessed the temple, and thereby God, while those in exile were without him. God could be found right there in exile. They could worship him there.
God went on to promise them he would gathering them:
- I will gather
- They will go
- I will give
- I will put
- I will be their God
- I will recompense
A day of gathering and restoring would come. The restoration would come to the land in the removal of the idols and abominations. Then there would be a restoration of their own hearts and souls. They would become God's people who (verse 20):
- Walk
- Keep
- Do
They would no longer be the hard hearted but soft and supple, teachable, desiring fellowship and walking obediently. They would move to living life on God's terms. This is the Old Testament version of being born again (John 3). See also Jeremiah 31:31-33; 32:37.
Ezekiel 11:22-21
The word ended and Ezekiel continued to describe what he saw. The glory of the Lord went up from the city and 'stood' on the mountains east of the city. East of the city is the Mount of Olives. The Lord stood on the Mount of Olives. This is the place he would one day return to for the final act of redemption and recompense (Zechariah 14:4).
The movement to the east could imply the Lord had departed Jerusalem and was joining the captives in exile. The Spirit of the Lord returned Ezekiel to where he was. He went about his business of speaking of these things to those in captivity.
©2019 Doug Ford
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