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Ezekiel 22

Ezekiel 22 is a prophetic indictment against Jerusalem for its pervasive sins, primarily shedding innocent blood, idolatry, and social injustice. God declares judgment on the city and its inhabitants due to their moral corruption and failure to uphold righteousness. The chapter is structured as a series of accusations, exposing the people’s sins and the corrupt practices of their leaders, priests, and prophets. It concludes with God’s pronouncement of His judgment, emphasizing the inevitable consequences of their continued rebellion and injustice.

Ezekiel 22:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 “Now, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations!”

God addresses Ezekiel, urging him to confront Jerusalem with her sins. The term “bloody city” highlights the extent of violence and moral decay, especially the shedding of innocent blood. God commissions Ezekiel to expose these abominations, emphasizing the seriousness of their transgressions and the need for accountability.

Ezekiel 22:3-5 (NKJV)
3 Then say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “The city sheds blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself.
4 You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years; therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries.
5 Those near and those far from you will mock you as infamous and full of tumult.’”

Jerusalem's sins, especially violence and idolatry, are bringing about her downfall. The people have polluted themselves by worshiping idols and committing bloodshed, accelerating the timing of their judgment. God declares that the city’s reputation will become one of infamy, scorned by both neighboring and distant nations.

Ezekiel 22:6-12 (NKJV)
6 “Look, the princes of Israel: each one has used his power to shed blood in you.
7 In you they have made light of father and mother; in your midst they have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow.
8 You have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths.
9 In you are men who slander to cause bloodshed; in you are those who eat on the mountains; in your midst they commit lewdness.
10 In you men uncover their fathers’ nakedness; in you they violate women who are set apart during their impurity.
11 One commits abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another lewdly defiles his daughter-in-law; and another in you violates his sister, his father’s daughter.
12 In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten Me,” says the Lord God.

These verses catalog the rampant corruption among Jerusalem’s leaders and people. From disrespecting parents and oppressing the vulnerable to sexual immorality and financial exploitation, the society is deeply corrupted. By violating God’s commands and forsaking His ways, the people have severed their relationship with God, justifying His judgment.

Ezekiel 22:13-16 (NKJV)
13 “Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst.
14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it.
15 I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you.
16 You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the Lord.”

God expresses His anger over Jerusalem’s sin, particularly their greed and bloodshed. He warns of an unavoidable judgment, questioning their ability to endure His wrath. The people will face exile and humiliation among other nations, ultimately leading them to recognize God’s sovereignty and holiness.

Ezekiel 22:17-22 (NKJV)
17 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
18 “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; they are all bronze, tin, iron, and lead, in the midst of a furnace; they have become dross from silver.
19 Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.
20 As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you.
21 Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst.
22 As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have poured out My fury on you.’”

God compares Israel to worthless metals, which are impurities separated from silver during refinement. By gathering them in Jerusalem and subjecting them to His wrath, God intends to purify His people. This metaphor emphasizes the intense, consuming nature of God’s judgment, designed to purge the land of corruption.

Ezekiel 22:23-29 (NKJV)
23 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
24 “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’
25 The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people, they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.
26 Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.
28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken.
29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.

God condemns the religious leaders, princes, and prophets for their roles in leading the people astray. Prophets provide false assurances, priests disregard holy practices, and leaders exploit the vulnerable. Their corruption has led to a societal collapse in morals, justice, and genuine worship of God.

Ezekiel 22:30-31 (NKJV)
30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

God searched for someone to intercede and lead the people back to righteousness, but none were found. With no one to prevent judgment, God’s wrath falls upon Jerusalem, making each person accountable for their sins. This closing verse underscores the depth of spiritual abandonment, as God responds with a decisive and just punishment.

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