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"These are the men who devise iniquity"

Text: Ezekiel 11:2

THE SPIRIT’S INVOLVEMENT

The vision that God gave to Ezekiel concerning the Temple and Jerusalem is spread out in three chapters (Ezekiel 8-11). This vision about the leaders of Judah is the focus here.

“Then the Spirit lifted me up
and brought me to the East Gate of the LORD’s house,
which faces eastward;
and there at the door of the gate were twenty-five men,
among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azzur,
and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
And He said to me: ‘Son of man, these are the men
who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel in this city, who say,
‘The time is not near to build houses;
this city is the caldron, and we are the meat.””
Ezekiel 11:1-3

1. The Holy Spirit

a) He is vitally involved.

b) He lifted Ezekiel up and brought him to the Eastern Gate.

i) Most likely in a vision.

ii) But this does not make it less real.

2. At the Eastern Gate of the Lord’s house.

a) The glory of God had already departed from the Temple.

b) Twenty-five people were found there.

c) Ezekiel recognized some of them.

i) Jaazaniah the son of Azzur.

ii) And Pelatiah the son of Benaiah.

iii) These were princes of the people.

3. Noting their sinfulness.

a) Their faces were not looking up to the Lord.

b) They were not conscious of the glory of the Lord there.

c) They were facing East, in worship of the sun.

d) Specific sins:

i) They devise iniquity.

ii) And give wicked counsel in this city.

4. Their counsel given.

a) Focus was to build houses (wealth).

b) Imagery of a Cauldron.

i) The city of Jerusalem is a good pot (cauldron).

ii) The people are the precious pieces of meat.

c) There was encouragement to seek personal wealth.

d) When the LORD had sent messengers of disaster and doom.

e) They chose to give a totally different message!