INTRODUCTION
Ezekiel 14:1-11 contains the last oracle in a series relating to prophecy in the section 12:21-14:11. In this passage Ezekiel addresses the moral state of those who would seek guidance from YHWH. His particular concern is with hypocrites who worship idols in their heart but come to inquire of a prophet of YHWH. He issues a warning that both idolaters and the prophets who answer their queries will face certain judgment.
(1) The occasion of this oracle is a visit Ezekiel received from some of the ‘elders of Israel’ to inquire (v.3b) of YHWH. Presumably he was still at his house in Chebar (3:24; 4:4). Since it is unlikely that these men travelled from Jerusalem to see him the term ‘elders of Israel’ here and in 20:1 probably equates to ‘elders of Judah’ in 8:1. They are therefore leaders of the Israelite/Judahite community in Babylon. They respectfully ‘sat before’ Ezekiel, thus recognising him as a teacher. We are not told exactly when they visited (‘then came’) or what it was they wished to know. Whatever it was, the tenor of the passage would suggest that they did not receive a direct answer to their query.
(2) As the elders sat before him Ezekiel received a communication from YHWH in response to their presence.
(3)The revelation to Ezekiel is that the elders (‘these men) have ‘taken the idols into their heart’. The idea is that they have set up or enthroned idols in their heart; thus displacing YHWH. Even if these men do not literally bow down before idols the fact is that they are heavily influenced by pagan ideas and practices.
‘The stumbling block of their iniquity’ is a phrase used only by Ezekiel (7:19; 14:3, 4, 7; 18:30; 44:12) and refers metaphorically to spiritual obstacles or sins that cause the people to fail in their relationship with YHWH. If meant literally it refers to idols or sinful practices which they cherish. That the elders put these ‘before their face’ might suggest that they are using cult objects as intermediaries.
YHWH, addressing Ezekiel, raises a rhetorical question; to which the expected answer is ‘No!’ Referring to Israelites/Judahites who are preoccupied with idolatry and yet hypocritically consult a prophet, YHWH asks Ezekiel if it is appropriate that he should hear and respond to their inquiries since their divided loyalty means that they are in no fit moral state to hear his word.
(4-5) Ezekiel is instructed to speak to the elders of Israel about their sin and tell them that everyone of the house of Israel who consults a prophet while cherishing idolatry will, indeed, receive an answer. It will not be the kind of answer they expect; but will be judgement that involves giving them over to the many idols in their hearts. Their idolatry will not be ignored.
The statements in vv.4-5 and vv.7-8 regulating the approach of Israelites to YHWH through a prophet are set out in the form of casuistic law similar to Lev 17:3, 8, 10, 13.
Verse 5 states that the punishment is so that YHWH ‘may take the house of Israel in their own heart’ because they are estranged from him because of idolatry. The verb ‘take’ means to lay hold of, seize, take hold violently, capture. One view is that ‘take’ has the idea of catching in a snare, another is that YHWH will grasp their heart so tight that they will feel it, be terrified and thus forced to acknowledge his lordship. Or it could mean that YHWH will touch their conscience with the result that they turn to him. Most likely YHWH’s purpose is redemptive, he wishes to recapture their hearts and restore the relationship with his people.
(6) If a right relationship with YHWH is to be reinstated then the Israelites must renounce idolatry and return wholeheartedly to YHWH. The call to repentance features the verb ‘return’ (šûḇ) which occurs three times in this verse:
Repent (šûḇ) ,
and turn (šûḇ) yourselves from your idols;
and turn (šûḇ) away your faces from all your abominations.
(7) This verse is basically a restatement of v.4 but expands the warning to include ‘the stranger that sojourneth in Israel.’ The term ‘stranger’ (alien, foreigner) was used to describe someone who temporarily lived and worked in Israel, had no property rights (cf. Deut 26:10-13) and was expected to worship only YHWH (Lev 17:8-9; 20:1-2). Here it must mean proselytes, possibly Babylonians, who have converted to the religion of YHWH. Should a proselyte consult a prophet of YHWH with idolatry in his heart he too will suffer the same fate as an Israelite who does likewise.
Whereas v.4 says that ‘the Lord will answer him according to the multitude of his idols’ v.7 says ‘I the Lord will answer him by myself.’ He will receive a personal response from the Lord. The nature of that response is set out in v.8.
(8) YHWH will do three things:
- ‘I will set my face against that man.’ – be opposed to him.
- ‘[I] will make him a sign and a proverb’ – make his punishment an example that will become proverbial and act as a deterrent to others.
- ‘I will cut him off from the midst of my people’ – remove him from among his people.
The verse ends with the recognition formula: ”ye shall know that I am the Lord.’
(9) This verse is aimed at prophets. A true prophet of YHWH will not give an answer to an inquiry by someone who worships idols in his heart but a false prophet certainly will because this is what his reputation depends upon. A false prophet will ‘speak a word’ telling the people what they wish to hear. It will be given in the name of YHWH but it will not come from the Lord.
In such a situation, i.e. when a false prophet utters a false oracle, YHWH will ‘deceive’ (entice) the false prophet. YHWH will behind the false answer and use a false prophet to tell the people what they want to hear. YHWH will let the false prophet be deceived and in turn deceive the inquirer. For a similar idea see 1 Kgs 22:18-23; 2 Thess 2:11-12.
The ancient Israelites would not have considered deception of a prophet by YHWH to be morally questionable or contradictory. They thought in terms of a primary cause – God. He is sovereign and just; evil as well as good is under his control. This verse emphasises YHWH’s sovereignty. He does not actively cause sin but permits people to follow their own inclinations and suffer the consequences. The paradox of God’s sovereignty versus man’s responsibility is a theological theme that has been debated for centuries.
(10) Since both the false prophets and those who seek their advice perpetuate idolatry and deception they are held jointly accountable for their actions and will share the same consequences. Therefore the prophets will also be subject to the punishment by YHWH set out in v.8.
(11) The purpose (or perhaps the result) of the punishment is that Israel will forsake idolatry and once again be a holy people, as was the original intention (Lev 26:12; 30:22).
SUMMATION
This chapter addresses the sin of the elders of Israel who, despite seeking a word from YHWH, harbour idolatry in their hearts. Through Ezekiel YHWH exposes their hypocrisy and declares that he will not ignore it but will respond with judgement. He demands repentance and warns the entire Israelite community that false prophets and those who consult them will suffer the same consequences. The punishment, however, is redemptive and is designed to rehabilitate the nation.
Thus far in the book of Ezekiel the predicted outlook for the people of Israel/Judah has been bleak but in chapter 14 the call to repentance (v.6) and YHWH’s desire for a restoration of the covenant relationship (v.11) offer a glimmer of hope that he has not given up on them completely.
Written Exposition 