Ezekiel 14:1-11

EZEKIEL—NOTE ON Ezekiel 14:1 The theme of false prophecy continues (vv. Ezekiel 14:9). The elders in exile (v. Ezekiel 14:1) approach Ezekiel (compare Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 20:1). They want him to give them a word from the Lord, but the Lord knows they are idolaters. The key verse in this section is God’s question in Ezekiel 14:3 (Should I indeed... be consulted by them?), which brings three responses. Verses Ezekiel 14:4 give an apparent “yes,” but what it might mean to lay hold of the hearts (v. Ezekiel 14:5) is explained in the following verses. The second response comes in vv. Ezekiel 14:6: any divine answer to the idolatrous elders will involve calling for their repentance (v. Ezekiel 14:6); if they do not repent, God will reject them (v. Ezekiel 14:8). In his third response (vv. Ezekiel 14:9), God acknowledges that he himself has deceived that prophet but that they shall bear their punishment, with the ultimate goal that Israel may no more go astray from me (compare 1 Kings 22:13).