Ezekiel 14

Some elders of Israel came falsely seeking God's counsel, but God revealed to Ezekiel that their hearts were full of idolatry. God determined to answer them directly, and called on them to repent. When they  rejected His word, God kept the unfaithful elder ignorant of his own iniquity. 

Furthermore, God told Ezekiel that when a land sins against Him "by persistent unfaithfulness," He will send a famine. Even if righteous men as Noah, Daniel, and Job interceded for the land, God would only deliver Noah, Daniel, and Job from His judgment. And not only famine, but this included wild beasts, sword, and pestilence.  

Nonetheless, a remnant will come out of Jerusalem, and this will bring relief to Ezekiel when he observes their ways and understands God's righteous judgment. 

COMMENTARY

Chapter 14 is divided into two sections: the prophecy against the elder's idolatry and the certainty of Jerusalem's destruction. It is also an example of how God (still) judges nations today. And His message remains the same: Repent and return to Him.

Here the elders pretended that they wanted to hear what Ezekiel had to say, and they declared they had not made idols with their hands; however, God, who knows the heart, said they had made idols within their hearts. These elders were religionists and they did not want to hear from God. 

Jesus called religionists like these elders hypocrites. Today the church is full of fake religious leaders, and one day, God will judge them, too. 

Regarding the destruction of Jerusalem: God would have spared the city, if the people would have repented, because He loves Jerusalem; but He was going to permit Nebuchadnezzar to bring a sword to the land as judgment for their iniquity. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job implored them to return to God, they would not have listened. Therefore, neither will God hear them. 

Today, people think they are getting away with their sin, but no one is going to get away with anything. One day, man will give an account of his disobedience. But if you are willing to hear Him, He will make you able to hear His message of salvation.