Ezekiel 22

Ezekiel 22:1

U. Three Oracles on Jerusalem’s Defilement (Chap. 22)22:1-12 Here is presented a catalog of the sins of Jerusalembloodshed (v. 9) (perhaps meaning human sacrifices in this context) and idolatry (vv. 3, 4); murder (v. 6); contempt of parents, oppression of strangers, orphans and widows (v. 7); desecrating the temple and breaking the Sabbaths (v. 8); slander, idolatry and lewdness (v. 9); immorality (v. 10); adultery, incest (v. 11); bribery, usury, extortion, and forgetfulness of the LORD GOD (v. 12). 22:13-22 For these sins of dishonest profit and bloodshed, the people would be scattered among the nations (vv. 13-16). Jerusalem would be like a refiner’s pot, in which the people, like worthless dross, would be melted (vv. 17-22). 22:23, 24 The LORD tells Ezekiel to say to the land that she is in sad shape. Taylor explains what this means for the land: The land is described in this oracle as deprived of the blessings of rain. Most commentators prefer to follow LXX in verse 24, which translates not “cleansed” but “rained upon”: thus, “a land without rain and without shower.” 22:25-31 All classes of society were guilty before the Lordrulers (v. 25) [“prophets” in the KJV and NKJV reads “princes” in the Septuagint]; priests (v. 26); magistrates (v. 27); prophets (v. 28); people (v. 29). Not a righteous man could be found, not a reformer nor an intercessor to stand for God (vv. 30, 31). God is not looking for new methods or programs; God is always looking for someone to stand in the gap. One person can make a difference.