Ezekiel 14-15

These chapters contain three messages from the LORD.  The first (14:1-11) deals with idols in the heart; the others (14:12-23; 15:1-8) deal with persistent unfaithfulness.  The first is directed at the elders of Israel; the others speak against the land.  It is all preached to the people who called to repent.

The elders of Israel came to the prophet to inquire of God.  At least that was their pretence.  But God, who knows all hearts, knows they have set up their idols in their hearts.  Any sin is of course a matter of the heart.  But idolatry of the heart is a special emphasis here.  Perhaps these leaders had not openly bowed before the man-made images of Babylon.  Nevertheless they, and others of the house of Israel, were idolaters and God knew it.  The idolatry of God’s people profaned them, meaning it made them “common”, just like every other nation.

Another interesting aspect of this message is what God says He will do when they come to inquire of Him.  He will not let the prophet answer but He, God, will speak to them, by Himself (v4, 7).  There will even be judgment on the prophet if he is induced to speak (v9-10).  It is God who knows the heart so it is God who will rebuke the heart-idolaters.  The reason God will do this is profound: “that I may seize the house of Israel by their hearts, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols” (v5).  The call to repentance (v6) for Israel and for us is always for a turning of the heart; it is never sufficient to merely change our external behavior.

The second message is fascinating in its reference to three great men of God: Noah, Daniel and Job (v14, etc).  It is interesting that Daniel is mentioned, as he was a contemporary of Ezekiel in Babylon.  These men of God each lived in the midst of great evil and had been faithful.  Each was instrumental in bringing others along with them: Noah with his three sons, Daniel and his three friends, and Job and his three friends.  But God now says that in the four great judgments He will bring on the land (famine, wild beasts, the sword and pestilence) the righteousness of these men would deliver them but no one else.  Such was the sin of these people who had been persistently unfaithful (v13).  Their idolatry was not just a recent issue, and only by His grace would God leave a remnant (v22).  

Thus the final message predicts judgment that will leave the land desolate (v8).  Like the wood of the vine that quickly and completely burns in the fire, so the inhabitants of Jerusalem will be fuel for the fire when God sets His face against them.  Again, the cause is the persistent unfaithfulness of His people (v8).

God knows our hearts as well.  Think about that!  “All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13).  Do our hearts reveal profanity, a commonality with the rest of humanity?  Have we set up idols in the heart?  Have we, because of persistent unfaithfulness, become accustomed to living for a cause less than glorifying our Creator?