Israel’s Wicked Leaders
September 7, 2022
Commentary
In this passage we see who is being judged (vv. 23-31). The priests were supposed to keep God’s worship pure and teach the people right living. But the worship of God had become commonplace to them, they ignored the Sabbath, and they refused to teach the people (v. 26). They no longer carried out their God-given duties (Lev. 10:10,11). When doing God’s work becomes no more important than any mundane task, we are no longer giving God the reverence He deserves. Instead of bringing God down to our level, we should live up to His level.
The wall spoken of here is not made of stones (v. 30). Instead it is made of faithful people united in their efforts to resist evil. This wall was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the people back to God. The feeble attempts to repair the gap through religious rituals or messages based on opinion rather than on God’s will were as worthless as whitewash, only covering over the real problems. What the people needed was total spiritual reconstruction! When we give the appearance of loving God without living His way, we are covering up sins that could eventually damage us beyond repair.
All segments of the social structure are seen as being in utter decay. It is noteworthy that the prophet, who should get his message directly from God, tops the list. His influence is the greatest, either for good or bad. The priests are next. When worship, innate in man, is directed to Satan, rather than the Lord of Creation, the end is very near.
Application
I must guard against using religion as a whitewash in my life but always apply the principles of God’s Word in each of life’s situations that I may face.
Ezekiel 22:23– 31 (NET)
23 The Lord’s message came to me: 24 “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that receives no rain or showers in the day of my anger.’ 25 Her princes within her are like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they have devoured lives. They take away riches and valuable things; they have made many women widows within it. 26 Her priests abuse my law and have desecrated my holy things. They do not distinguish between the holy and the profane, or recognize any distinction between the unclean and the clean. They ignore my Sabbaths, and I am profaned in their midst. 27 Her officials are like wolves in her midst rending their prey—shedding blood and destroying lives—so they can get dishonest profit. 28 Her prophets coat their messages with whitewash. They see false visions and announce lying omens for them, saying, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’ when the Lord has not spoken. 29 The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have wronged the poor and needy; they have oppressed the resident foreigner and denied them justice.
30 “I looked for a man from among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one. 31 So I have poured my anger on them and destroyed them with the fire of my fury. I hereby repay them for what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”