1 In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there.
2 Then I looked, and behold, a form that had the appearance of a man. Below what appeared to be his waist was fire, and above his waist was something like the appearance of brightness, like gleaming metal.
3 He put out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head, and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.
4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the valley.
5 Then he said to me, “Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy.
6 And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see still greater abominations.”
7 And he brought me to the entrance of the court, and when I looked, behold, there was a hole in the wall.
8 Then he said to me, “Son of man, dig in the wall.” So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance.
9 And he said to me, “Go in, and see the vile abominations that they are committing here.”
10 So I went in and saw. And there, engraved on the wall all around, was every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel.
11 And before them stood seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had his censer in his hand, and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up.
12 Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’”
13 He said also to me, “You will see still greater abominations that they commit.”
14 Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
15 Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? You will see still greater abominations than these.”
16 And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord. And behold, at the entrance of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east, worshiping the sun toward the east.
17 Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations that they commit here, that they should fill the land with violence and provoke me still further to anger? Behold, they put the branch to their nose.
18 Therefore I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.
The True Meaning of Ezekiel 8
The book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet Ezekiel, who was a priest and a prophet during the Babylonian exile. He was among the first group of Israelites taken captive to Babylon in 597 BC, and he received his prophetic visions while living in exile. Ezekiel recounts a vision in this chapter, revealing the idolatrous practices that had crept into the temple in Jerusalem. The chapter provides a sobering glimpse into the spiritual condition of the people and the impending judgment that would soon come upon the nation. Ezekiel’s vision delved into the depth of Israel’s unfaithfulness and the consequences they would face for their sins.
The chapter begins with Ezekiel being transported in a vision to the temple in Jerusalem, where he witnesses a series of disturbing scenes. He sees the glory of the Lord departing from the temple, foreshadowing the impending destruction of the city. Ezekiel also observes the elders of Israel engaging in pagan worship practices, revealing the widespread spiritual corruption within the nation. The chapter culminates with a chilling vision of the judgment that would soon befall Jerusalem, a judgment that would ultimately lead to the exile of the people and the destruction of the temple.
Ezekiel 8:1-6
God gives the prophet Ezekiel a divine vision in Ezekiel 8:1-6. The passage begins by stating that in the sixth year, on the fifth day of the sixth month, Ezekiel was sitting in his house with the elders of Judah when the hand of the Sovereign Lord came upon him. This specific date is important as it sets the scene for the vision that Ezekiel is about to experience. Ezekiel sees a figure that appears to be a man, but is radiant and glowing like metal as he sits among the elders. This figure extends a hand and takes Ezekiel by the hair and in his vision, the Spirit lifts him up between heaven and earth and takes him to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood.
The location where Ezekiel is brought in his vision is significant. The idol that causes jealousy refers to an image or idol that is offensive to God and stirs up His anger. This could point to the various instances in the history of Israel when they turned away from God to worship other deities, such as Baal or Asherah, leading to God’s jealousy and punishment. The presence of such an idol in the inner court of the temple, the holiest place, amplifies the severity of the sin.
This vision reveals the extent of the corruption and idolatry that had taken root among the people of Judah. Despite outward appearances, the elders sitting with Ezekiel were involved in practices that provoked God’s righteous anger. The elders, who were supposed to be spiritual leaders and examples to the people, were participating in idolatrous activities right at the entrance of the temple.
The significance of this vision lies in its indictment of the spiritual leaders of Judah at that time. It serves as a warning about the dangers of religious hypocrisy and the consequences of turning away from God. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of leaders who led God’s people astray, such as King Solomon with his many foreign wives who turned his heart to other gods (1 Kings 11:4-10). The outcome was disastrous for the nation as a whole in each case.
This passage in Ezekiel emphasizes the importance of true worship and faithfulness to God. It underscores the need for sincerity and purity in our worship, reminding us that God sees not only our outward actions but also the motivations of our hearts. It challenges us to examine our own lives and ensure that we are not harboring any idols or sinful practices that provoke God’s jealousy. Ultimately, repentance and turning back to God in genuine devotion and obedience are needed.
Ezekiel 8:7-12
God gives the prophet Ezekiel a vision in Ezekiel 8:7-12, taking him on a journey through a hole in the wall of the temple, where he witnesses the abominable practices of the elders of Israel.
Firstly, in verse 7, Ezekiel is brought to the entrance of the court where he sees a hole in the wall. This can symbolize a hidden or secret place where sins are being committed away from the public eye. The actions carried out behind closed doors reveal the true nature of the people despite their public displays of piety. This highlights the importance of sincere and genuine worship rather than surface-level acts of righteousness. It reminds us that God sees all, even what is done in secret, and calls for authenticity in our faith. Ezekiel peers through the hole in the wall in verse 8 and sees portrayed on the wall images of creeping things and beasts, all manner of idols, and the abominations of the house of Israel. These images signify the idolatrous practices that had penetrated the temple, the place meant for the worship of the one true God. The presence of idols and false gods among the people of Israel was a continual struggle throughout their history, leading to their downfall at times. This vision serves as a powerful warning against idolatry and the danger of allowing worldly influences to corrupt our worship of God. God declares in verse 10 in response to Ezekiel’s vision that the people of Israel have filled the land with violence and have returned to provoke Him to anger. This reveals the unfaithfulness and rebellion of the Israelites despite God’s continual patience and mercy towards them. It emphasizes the consequences of turning away from God and following sinful desires, leading to a breakdown in society and a separation from God. This serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness in maintaining a relationship with God.
Furthermore, in verse 12, Ezekiel hears the Lord say that the wickedness of the house of Israel is great and that they are causing God to turn away from His sanctuary. This pronouncement signifies the severity of the sins committed by the people and the consequences of their actions. It reflects the concept of divine judgment and the inevitable outcome of persisting in disobedience. Despite God’s desire for reconciliation and forgiveness, there comes a point where His justice must be enacted. This highlights the need for repentance and a turning back to God in times of waywardness. Ezekiel 8:7-12 presents a compelling narrative of the idolatry and wickedness that had infiltrated the heart of Israel, leading to their spiritual downfall. It serves as a stark warning against straying from true worship and emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God. The timeless message conveyed through this passage resonates with the broader theme of the consequences of sin, the call to repentance, and the enduring mercy and justice of God as depicted throughout the Bible.
Ezekiel 8:13-18
Idolatrous practices that had infiltrated the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem are vividly depicted in Ezekiel 8:13-18. The prophet Ezekiel is given a vision by God, where he sees a group of women weeping for the pagan god Tammuz near the north gate of the temple. Tammuz was a Mesopotamian deity associated with vegetation and fertility, and his worship often involved rites of mourning and celebration. The women’s actions showed a blatant disregard for the holy sanctuary of God, as they engaged in practices that were not only foreign but also abominable in the eyes of the Lord.
This scene reveals the depth of corruption and spiritual decay that had taken root within the Israelite community. Despite being God’s chosen people, they had allowed themselves to be influenced by the idolatrous practices of the nations around them. The sight of these women weeping for Tammuz within the temple precincts symbolized the compromise and syncretism that had crept into their worship.
Ezekiel’s vision serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of spiritual compromise and the consequences of turning away from the one true God. The Lord, who is a jealous God, demands wholehearted devotion and worship from His people. The mixing of true worship with pagan rituals was not only offensive to God but also a betrayal of the covenant relationship between Him and the Israelites.
Throughout the Bible, idolatry is consistently condemned as a sin that leads to destruction and judgment. The Ten Commandments explicitly prohibit the worship of any other gods besides the Lord (Exodus 20:3-6). The history of Israel is marked by cycles of idolatry, where the people would turn away from God to follow after false gods, only to face the consequences of their actions. We are challenged to reflect on Ezekiel 8:13-18 and examine our own lives to ensure that we are not allowing any idols to take precedence over our devotion to God. We are called to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), giving Him the honor and glory that He alone deserves. May we learn from the mistakes of the past and remain steadfast in our commitment to serve the one true God, guarding our hearts against the allure of false gods and empty worship.
After Ezekiel 8
The Lord had shown Ezekiel the abominations being committed in the temple. The people had turned away from God, worshipping idols and engaging in wicked practices. Ezekiel was deeply troubled by what he had witnessed. He knew the Lord’s judgment was near as he stood there, feeling the weight of his people’s sin heavy on his heart. The time had come for Ezekiel to deliver a message of warning and call the people to repentance. For if they did not turn back to the Lord, the consequences would be dire.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.