Today’s passage: Ezekiel 22
Helpful thoughts:
- God calls Ezekiel to speak against Jerusalem once again, almost as if in a challenge (“Will you…?)
- God then proceeds to make a list (Though surely not exhaustive) of all that the city of Jerusalem has done to bring judgment on herself.
- The city’s judgment is compared to the melting of metals. The city will be “melted” not to refine her and make her pure, but to eliminate the dross. Jerusalem is said to be a city of dross.
- The people of the city were in great sin. The leaders were manipulating and destroying their own people for selfish gain. The religious leaders were lying and using false prophecy to lead them astray.
- There was no one in Jerusalem who would be used by God to stand against all the evil being done.
Questions to consider:
- Why is the content of this chapter so shocking? Not just the specificity of the wicked sins being committed, but also who these people were and were supposed to be?
- Given the actions of the prophets in verse 28, why would it make sense for God to begin this revelation to Ezekiel with a challenge and question as to whether he would prophesy what he is told? In what way is Ezekiel’s obedience to prophesy held in contrast with those in the city of Jerusalem?
- How does the last clause of verse 31 give explanation to the rest of the verse concerning God’s judgment against Jerusalem? Was God just angry and lashing out with uncontrolled emotions? Was God acting in justice? How do we escape the just wrath of God? (Romans 3:21-26)