Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryEzekiel 14

Idolatry in the Heart and Its Consequences This section deals with the elders of Israel who come to Ezekiel seeking a message from the Lord

v. 2-3: The Lord

v. 4-5: God tells Ezekiel what to say: Anyone in Israel who sets up idols in his heart and then comes to a prophet will receive an answer from God that matches his own idols. This is because such a person has separated himself from God by his secret sins. God will answer in a way that shows how bad it is to have idols in the heart, so that the people of Israel may see their error and turn back to Him (Ezekiel 14:4-5 ).

v. 6: Therefore, God calls the people to repent: “Repent and turn away from your idols. Turn your faces away from all your abominations.” God wants them to change both their actions and their hearts.

v. 7-8: If anyone in Israel, whether an ordinary person or a foreigner living in Israel, sets up idols in his heart and then comes to a prophet to ask for God’s guidance, God Himself will answer him. God will set His face against that person and make him an example, cutting him off from His people. This judgment is very serious, showing that God cannot tolerate hidden idolatry among His people (Ezekiel 14:7-8 ).

v. 9-11: If a prophet is tricked and gives a false answer, it is because God has allowed him to be deceived as a judgment on both the false prophet and the idolater. Both will be punished for their sin. This is so that the people of Israel will no longer wander away from God or defile themselves with idols. God’s goal is always to bring His people back to Himself and be their God (Ezekiel 14:9-11 ). Summary: These verses remind us that God cares about what is in our hearts, not just what we do in public. Secret sins, especially the worship of anything besides God, will block our prayers and separate us from Him. But God is merciful and calls us to repent. He wants to be our God and for us to be His people with undivided hearts.

Destruction of the People Determined; The Variety of the Divine Judgment; A Remnant Preserved.This section shows how serious it is when a whole nation turns away from God. God explains that when people everywhere in a land become wicked, He must send judgment. There are many different ways God can punish a sinful nation, but even in punishment, He remembers mercy and preserves a remnant. The example of righteous people like Noah, Daniel, and Job is given to show both the power and the limits of personal righteousness in times of national sin.

v. 13: God says that when a land sins greatly against Him, He will stretch out His hand in judgment. This means that when evil becomes common, God brings disaster to the whole nation. Great sins bring great punishments.

v. 14-20: God has many ways to punish a sinful nation. He mentions four main judgments: famine, wild beasts, war, and disease. Each one can destroy both people and animals. Even if Noah, Daniel, or Job were living in the land, their prayers would only save themselves, not others. Their goodness could not stop God’s judgment from falling on the wicked nation. This shows that when God finally decides to punish, even the best people cannot prevent it for everyone else (Leviticus 26:22; Jeremiah 15:1 ).

v. 21: God warns that if Jerusalem, the holy city, turns away from Him, He will send all four of these judgments at once. The people who are closest to God are judged even more strictly if they turn against Him.

v. 22-23: Even when God’s judgments are very severe, He still keeps a remnant alive. Some people, especially the younger ones, will survive and be taken to Babylon. When they arrive, they will admit their sins and show true repentance. This will comfort those already in captivity, because they will see that God’s punishment was just and also brought about good changes. In the end, God’s wisdom and justice will be clear to everyone. Afflictions are not without purpose; God uses them for both justice and mercy.