Ezekiel 14:1-11, Idols on Their Hearts

We aren’t much for amulets, protective charms, or even prophets in our current culture. That’s only for superstitious people. We find protection in other “gods,” like guns, alarm systems, and 401k’s. But in cultures that see a closer connection between the physical and spiritual realms, securing divine protection is quite popular.

1 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. 2 Then the word of Yahweh came to me: 3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? 4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I Yahweh will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry. 5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’

“The mention of the elders of Israel,” says the Zondervan Bible Backgrounds commentary, “also occurs in 8:1 and 20:1, 3.”

The existence and status of this group were rooted in preexilic Judean social structures. Although King Jehoiachin and members of his court were also in Babylonian exile, they seem not to have exercised any authority over the exiled Judeans. Rather, the exiles were governed in the traditional manner by the heads of the clans, referred to as “heads of the father (houses)” (Ezra 1:5; 2:68; 4:2; 8:1; Neh. 7:10). These leaders are referred to in Aramaic as “elders of the Jews.”

These elders have visited Ezekiel before, acknowledging him as a certified prophet of Yahweh. They come to him for a word from Yahweh, but they have set up idols in their hearts, or as the Bible Background commentary says, 

The Hebrew expression literally states, “they have set idols upon their hearts.” Several scholars understand this expression as indicating that the Israelites are wearing amulets on their breasts. It was a widespread custom among the Babylonians to wear all kinds of amulets around one’s neck and on one’s breast beneath the clothes (see sidebar on “Babylonian Amulets and Figurines”). In light of such use, Ezekiel is likely reacting to some practices that the Israelites in exile have been adopting from their hosts.

These elders are likely coming to Ezekiel “about his denunciation of the prophets (chapter 13) and to inquire from him what God’s ways for them should be. Their lives and attitudes showed they had followed the false prophets and prophetesses” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary).

6 “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!

7 “‘When any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing in Israel separate themselves from me and set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet to inquire of me, I Yahweh will answer them myself. 8 I will set my face against them and make them an example and a byword. I will remove them from my people. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.

If you are going to get a word from Yahweh as just one god among many, you won’t get a word, you’ll get an action: you’ll be removed from His people.

9 “‘And if the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, I Yahweh have enticed that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel. 10 They will bear their guilt—the prophet will be as guilty as the one who consults him. 11 Then the people of Israel will no longer stray from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people, and I will be their God, declares the Sovereign Yahweh.’” (Ezekiel 14:1-11)

James tells us that God does not tempt anyone to sin, yet here Yahweh claims that the prophet who is enticed to give a word from Him to an idolater has been enticed by Yahweh Himself. But despite being enticed by Yahweh, the prophet will bear his judgment. Yahweh is sovereign in the lives of all, determining the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), even determining the sinful actions of human beings, yet asserting the responsibility of all human beings for their own actions. This is the mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. We can’t explain it or reconcile it. The apostle Paul says,

19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”  (Romans 9:19,20)