Ezekiel 22
22
Jerusalem’s Sins
1 # 22:1 Ezekiel 22–23 is the eighth panel (H) in the chiastic parallel structure in Ezekiel. This section contains an oracle condemning the perversity of Israel’s leaders—the two adulterous sisters. Panel H constitutes the corresponding parallel with panel H1 in ch. 34, which also contains a parallel oracle of judgment focusing on “shepherds” and “sheep” (34:2)—condemning the immoral and idolatrous leaders of Israel. Yahweh spoke to me again and said, 2“Son of man, are you ready to judge the city of murderers? # 22:2 Or literally “city of bloods.” You must confront her with all the disgusting things she has done! 3Prophesy to the city what I, Lord Yahweh, say to them: ‘Jerusalem, you bring doom upon yourselves because you have shed the blood of so many. You are defiled by your man-made gods. 4You have become guilty by the blood you have shed and defiled by your hand-made gods. Your time is up! # 22:4 Or literally “you have come to your years,” that is, your time has run out. Your day of reckoning is on the way. Therefore, I have made you an object of scorn and a laughingstock to all the nations. 5Nations near and far will taunt you, O infamous # 22:5 Or literally “unclean of name.” city, full of turmoil.
6“ ‘Behold! The leaders of Israel within your walls, one and all, have selfishly abused their power to shed blood. 7They have despised their fathers and mothers, cheated the foreigners who live within your walls, and mistreated the widow and orphan. 8All that I call holy, you have treated with contempt. You have dishonored my Sabbaths. 9In your city are those who slander in order to have someone murdered. Living among you are those who eat food sacrificed to false gods in mountain shrines and commit obscene acts. 10Your men have sex with their father’s wives. # 22:10 Or “[in your city are] men who uncover their father’s nakedness.” Although this seems to imply incestuous acts, it is more likely a euphemism for a stepmother—another woman in his father’s harem besides his own mother. They force themselves on women who are having their periods and are ceremonially unclean. 11In your city a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, and another man seduces his daughter-in-law or sister, his own father’s daughter. 12Some of your people will murder for pay. Some extort their neighbors with threats of violence, charging them exorbitant interest for obscene profits, yet they have entirely forgotten about me! I, Lord Yahweh, have spoken.
13“ ‘Now I will bring my fists down # 22:13 Or “I will strike my hands together [in anger].” on your acts of robbery and murder in your midst! 14Do you think your courage will endure when I am through with you? Do you think your hands will remain steady on your day of reckoning? I, Yahweh, have spoken, and I will do it!
15“ ‘I will scatter you among the nations and send you into exile to foreign countries. I will put an end to the uncleanness within you. 16Because of your own actions, you will be grossly defiled in the sight of the nations, and then you will understand and realize that I am Yahweh.’ ”
The Refining Furnace
17Yahweh spoke to me, saying, 18“Son of man, for me, the people of Israel have become worthless dross. They all have become like the useless byproduct of refined silver, bronze, tin, iron, lead, all mixed up together and left in the smelter; they are dross. 19Therefore, I, Lord Yahweh, say to the people of Jerusalem, ‘Since you have all become worthless dross, leftover metal, I will collect you inside Jerusalem. # 22:19 It is likely that this prophecy of Ezekiel was fulfilled shortly before the siege of 589–587 BC, when the people of Judah were crowding into Jerusalem to take refuge. 20Just as the metalsmith collects silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin in the furnace, and the fire is fanned underneath to melt them down, so I will collect you there and melt you down in my furious anger. 21I will put you all in the furnace and fan the fire of my rage to burn against you. I will melt you there in the middle of the furnace. # 22:21 See Mal. 3:2–4. 22As silver is refined in the smelter, so you will be melted down inside the city, and you will understand and recognize that I, Yahweh, have vented my fury against you.’ ”
Yahweh Punishes the Leaders
23Yahweh spoke to me again and said: 24“Son of man, say to Israel, ‘You are a land that has had no shower nor cleansing rain on the day of my anger. 25Your prophets # 22:25 Or “Your princes” (LXX). plot conspiracies as lions stalk their prey. They have devoured the people, enriched themselves by seizing their wealth and jewels, and left behind many widows. 26Her priests have violated my law and have no respect for what is holy. They have made no distinction between what is holy and what is common. They have not taught people the difference between clean and unclean; they ignore my Sabbaths, and I have been defiled among them. 27Within the land are leaders who are like a pack of wolves who rip apart their prey, shed blood, and kill people to get money dishonestly. 28Her false prophets have plastered over these things with their empty visions and false prophecies, saying: “Yahweh says this,” even though I, Yahweh, have not spoken. 29The people of the land have practiced extortion and robbery! They have oppressed the poor and needy and mistreated the foreigner among them who have no way of getting justice.’ ”
No One to Stand in the Gap
30“I searched for someone who would repair the wall, # 22:30 There is a play on words with “repair” (Hb. gadar) and “wall” (Hb. geder). God was wanting someone to become the healing of the gap and become the wall. The healing of our cities (walls) requires someone to stand as a healer and redeemer. Isaiah writes that the wall will be named “Salvation” (Isa. 60:18). Jesus is the one who fulfills God’s longing. He is the Savior, the Magnificent Intercessor, the Reconciler, and the Overcomer. one who fills the gap, an intercessor to cry out for mercy, but I found no one. There was no one found who would keep my justice from destroying the nation. # 22:30 Compare Ps. 106:23; Amos 7:1–6. 31So I will pour out my fury on them, and like a fire I will destroy them. I will punish them for the evil they have done. # 22:31 Literally “I will set their ways upon their heads.” I, Lord Yahweh, have spoken.”
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Ezekiel 22: TPT
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