Ezekiel 11
Read Ezekiel 11 (WEB)+
1Moreover the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me to the east gate of Yahweh’s house, which looks eastward. Behold, twenty-five men were at the door of the gate; and I saw among them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people. 2He said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity, and who give wicked counsel in this city; 3who say, ‘The time is not near to build houses. This is the cauldron, and we are the meat.’ 4Therefore prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man.” 5Yahweh’s Spirit fell on me, and he said to me, “Speak, ‘Yahweh says: “Thus you have said, house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind. 6You have multiplied your slain in this city, and you have filled its streets with the slain. 7“‘Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Your slain whom you have laid in the middle of it, they are the meat, and this is the cauldron; but you will be brought out of the middle of it. 8You have feared the sword; and I will bring the sword on you,” says the Lord Yahweh. 9“I will bring you out of the middle of it, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you. 10You will fall by the sword. I will judge you in the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. 11This will not be your cauldron, neither will you be the meat in the middle of it. I will judge you in the border of Israel. 12You will know that I am Yahweh, for you have not walked in my statutes, You have not executed my ordinances, but have done after the ordinances of the nations that are around you.”’” 13When I prophesied, Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down on my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, “Ah Lord Yahweh! will you make a full end of the remnant of Israel?” 14Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 15“Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, the men of your relatives, and all the house of Israel, all of them, are they to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far away from Yahweh. This land has been given to us for a possession.’” 16“Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Whereas I have removed them far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet I will be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they have come.”’ 17“Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” 18“‘They will come there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. 19I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh; 20that they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. 21But as for them whose heart walks after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their way on their own heads,’ says the Lord Yahweh.” 22Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, and the wheels were beside them. The glory of the God of Israel was over them above. 23Yahweh’s glory went up from the middle of the city, and stood on the mountain which is on the east side of the city. 24The Spirit lifted me up, and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to the captives. So the vision that I had seen went up from me. 25Then I spoke to the captives all the things that Yahweh had shown me.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh."”
Ezekiel 11:19
Summary
Ezekiel chapter 11 presents a vivid continuation of the prophet's vision concerning the judgment of Jerusalem. The chapter opens with a symbolic representation of the city's leaders who are compared to wicked counselors. God reveals to Ezekiel the corrupt nature and deceitful practices of these men, indicating the impending judgment due to their misguidance of the people. In a striking moment, Ezekiel proclaims God's message of consequences against these leaders, emphasizing the falsity of their assurances of safety in the midst of rebellion. The narrative takes a dramatic turn as the prophet, experiencing firsthand the spiritual and physical descent of Israel, witnesses the departure of God’s glory from the temple. This signifies the loss of divine protection over Jerusalem, exacerbating the city's doomed state. In a stark contrast, God promises restoration and future hope, highlighting a remnant who will receive a new heart and spirit, embodying obedience and fidelity to God. The theological significance encompasses themes of judgment juxtaposed with hope. While the corrupt leadership faces imminent punishment, God promises renewal for a faithful remnant. The vision of the transformation of hearts reflects the heart of God's redemptive plan, a message of restoration beyond judgment, emphasizing the relational covenant between God and His people.
Key Themes
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Ezekiel 11
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.