Ezekiel 8:1-18: Abominations Upon Abominations
Notes
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Introduction
Introduction
Succinct Summation
Succinct Summation
Diagnosing the Problem
Diagnosing the Problem
Main Point
Main Point
God reveals to Ezekiel in a vision the abominations of Israel that cause His divine wrath to pour out on Judah
God reveals to Ezekiel in a vision the abominations of Israel that cause His divine wrath to pour out on Judah
Outline
Outline
Ezekiel 1-24 - Oracles against God’s People
Ezekiel 1-24 - Oracles against God’s People
Ezekiel 1:1-3 - Ezekiel the Priest
Ezekiel 1:4-28 - The Glory of the Lord
Ezekiel 2:1-3:15 - Ezekiel Commissioned
Ezekiel 3:16-27 - Ezekiel the Watchman
Ezekiel 4:1-5:4 - The Dramatization of Jerusalem’s Siege
Ezekiel 5:5-17 - The Dramatization Explained
Ezekiel 6:1-14 - Israel Will Know the Lord
Ezekiel 7:1-9 - The Land of Israel will face Judgment
Ezekiel 7:10-27 - The Day of Destruction
Ezekiel 8:1-18 - Abominations Upon Abominations
Ezekiel 8:1-6 - Abomination in Public
Ezekiel 8:7-13 - Abomination in Private
Ezekiel 8:14-15 - Abomination at the Gate
Ezekiel 8:16-18 - Abomination in the Temple
Purpose of Book
Purpose of Book
The purpose of Ezekiel is Yahweh rebukes His people for their sinfulness and He promises to restore His glory so all nations will know He is the one true Lord. In short, the purpose of Ezekiel is the glory of God.
The purpose of Ezekiel is Yahweh rebukes His people for their sinfulness and He promises to restore His glory so all nations will know He is the one true Lord. In short, the purpose of Ezekiel is the glory of God.
Ezekiel 8:1-6 - Abomination in Public
Ezekiel 8:1-6 - Abomination in Public
Exegesis
Exegesis
1 In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there.
1 In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there.
The next vision of Ezekiel happens almost 14 months later on September 18, 592 BC
The leaders of Judah come to Ezekiel seeking a word from the prophet
There is no doubt that they would have come to seek a favorable word from Yahweh - exile is ending soon
Suddenly, Yahweh takes control of the prophet’s mind
2 Then I looked, and behold, a form that had the appearance of a man. Below what appeared to be his waist was fire, and above his waist was something like the appearance of brightness, like gleaming metal.
2 Then I looked, and behold, a form that had the appearance of a man. Below what appeared to be his waist was fire, and above his waist was something like the appearance of brightness, like gleaming metal.
The introduction to this vision is eerily similar to Ezekiel 1:26-28
3 He put out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head, and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.
3 He put out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head, and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.
Ezekiel is spiritually transported from his place in exile to Jerusalem hundreds of miles away
The image Ezekiel sees is most likely the Canaanite goddess Asherah, but no specific details are given here in the text
Asherah was the wife/partner to El, the highest god, and she was referred to as the Queen of Heaven
18 But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.” 19 And the women said, “When we made offerings to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands’ approval that we made cakes for her bearing her image and poured out drink offerings to her?”
She was the mother of 70 of the lesser gods including Baal
The idolatrous image challenges the very sovereignty of God
What we do know is that the idolatrous worship has provoked Yahweh’s heart to jealousy
4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the valley.
4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the valley.
The source of this vision is directly connected with the source of the previous vision
God is the source of this vision so there is no disputing the reality of the episode
Notice the difference - the glory of God vs. the idol of Asherah
5 Then he said to me, “Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north.”
5 Then he said to me, “Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north.”
Ezekiel is commanded to look to the north which is where most enemies would have come to attack Jerusalem
So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy.
So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy.
The image is in the north symbolically giving warning to those who may attack the city
Again, we cannot know for sure the exact image, but there is significant evidence pointing to Asherah
14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),
This image provokes a jealous husband to anger and He will no longer let this adultery stand and He does this by leaving the city open to a brutal Babylonian attack
6 And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary?
6 And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary?
What is the result of the abominations? Yahweh leaving His temple!
Yahweh will be Israel’s one true God or He will not be their God at all
But you will see still greater abominations.”
But you will see still greater abominations.”
You would like that idolatrous worship of a goddess would be worse case scenario, but there is more
The Conscience
The Conscience
What abominations do we take part in that provoke the jealousy of God?
What abominations do we take part in that provoke the jealousy of God?
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
What areas of your life fail to proceed from faith?
What areas of your life fail to proceed from faith?
Romans 14:23 (ESV)
23 For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
What areas of your life are not given over to the glory of God?
What areas of your life are not given over to the glory of God?
What areas of your heart need revival?
What areas of your heart need revival?
Application
Application
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Christ is the answer for the sins we partake in
Christ is the answer for the sins we partake in
Christ is the answer for a life lacking in faithfulness
Christ is the answer for a life lacking in faithfulness
Christ is the answer for a life not given over to the glory of God
Christ is the answer for a life not given over to the glory of God
Christ is the answer for a heart that needs revival
Christ is the answer for a heart that needs revival
Ezekiel 8:7-13 - Abomination in Private
Ezekiel 8:7-13 - Abomination in Private
Exegesis
Exegesis
7 And he brought me to the entrance of the court, and when I looked, behold, there was a hole in the wall.
7 And he brought me to the entrance of the court, and when I looked, behold, there was a hole in the wall.
8 Then he said to me, “Son of man, dig in the wall.” So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance.
8 Then he said to me, “Son of man, dig in the wall.” So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance.
9 And he said to me, “Go in, and see the vile abominations that they are committing here.”
9 And he said to me, “Go in, and see the vile abominations that they are committing here.”
10 So I went in and saw. And there, engraved on the wall all around, was every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel.
10 So I went in and saw. And there, engraved on the wall all around, was every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel.
17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth.
11 And before them stood seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them.
11 And before them stood seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them.
The ones committing cultic worship in the temple was none other than the elders of Israel
Jaazaniah name means “Yahweh listens”
Jaazaniah was the son of Shaphan and he was one of Jerusalem’s most important men as his family was involved in Josiah’s reforms
Each had his censer in his hand, and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up.
Each had his censer in his hand, and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up.
The elders are engaged in priestly ministry which was a sin for them do to
12 Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures?
12 Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures?
Idolatrous images fill the room
For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’ ”
For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’ ”
9 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.
A total change - now the elders sin in private instead of seeing the God of Israel
Instead of seeing the Lord they force Him to leave
Ironically the “gods” they worship cannot see them, but the Lord can
13 He said also to me, “You will see still greater abominations that they commit.”
13 He said also to me, “You will see still greater abominations that they commit.”
You would like that idolatrous worship by the 70 elders would be worse case scenario, but there is more
The Conscience
The Conscience
Has your sin become so commonplace that, like the elders, you believe that God does not actually see it anymore?
Has your sin become so commonplace that, like the elders, you believe that God does not actually see it anymore?
Application
Application
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Ezekiel 8:14-15 - Abomination at the Gate
Ezekiel 8:14-15 - Abomination at the Gate
Exegesis
Exegesis
14 Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
14 Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
Ezekiel is brought near the temple at this point
Tammuz was a Babylonian god who is being worshipped by women AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE TEMPLE!
Tammuz would be ritually mourned over each year over his death in hopes of celebrating his return based on mythology
Upon his return from death, it was believed fertility would return
15 Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? You will see still greater abominations than these.”
15 Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? You will see still greater abominations than these.”
The worship of a dead idol at the very entrance of the temple seems horrible, but there is worse to come
The Conscience
The Conscience
What dead idols have replaced the living God in your heart?
What dead idols have replaced the living God in your heart?
Money, career, children, spouse, approval/affirmation of others, hopes, dreams?
Money, career, children, spouse, approval/affirmation of others, hopes, dreams?
Application
Application
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Ezekiel 8:16-18 - Abomination in the Temple
Ezekiel 8:16-18 - Abomination in the Temple
Exegesis
Exegesis
16 And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord.
16 And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord.
The climax of the vision has come - idolatry in the temple itself
And behold, at the entrance of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east, worshiping the sun toward the east.
And behold, at the entrance of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east, worshiping the sun toward the east.
Between the porch and the altar is where priests would pray to God on a fast day - it was a sacred space
Ezekiel now sees 25 men worshipping creation not the Creator
The have their backs to the temple - rejection of Yahweh - and have given themselves the the Sun god
17 Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations that they commit here, that they should fill the land with violence and provoke me still further to anger?
17 Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations that they commit here, that they should fill the land with violence and provoke me still further to anger?
The violence in the land is violence directed towards God
Behold, they put the branch to their nose.
Behold, they put the branch to their nose.
An extremely insulting gesture and offensive attitude towards God
18 Therefore I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.”
18 Therefore I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.”
The wrath of Yahweh has been brought out due to their idolatrous worship and unethical living
Though they will cry out the God, His ears are shut to their pleas
The Conscience
The Conscience
What sins started around you, but have now found a place in your heart?
What sins started around you, but have now found a place in your heart?
Application
Application
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Christ Connection
Christ Connection
26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
8 For he finds fault with them when he says:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah,
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”
13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Main Point
Main Point
God reveals to Ezekiel in a vision the abominations of Israel that cause His divine wrath to pour out on Judah
God reveals to Ezekiel in a vision the abominations of Israel that cause His divine wrath to pour out on Judah