Idolatrous Elders Condemned
Some elders of Israel come and sit before Ezekiel, but before any consultation proceeds, the word of the LORD reveals that these men have set up idols in their hearts and put stumbling blocks before their faces. God asks whether He should let Himself be consulted under such conditions, then says that when such a person comes to inquire, He will answer in a way that matches the scale of the idolatry. In doing so He intends to seize the hearts of Israel, who have become estranged from Him through their idols.
T1hen some of the elders of Israel came and sat down before me. 2And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 3“Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I consult with them in any way? 4Therefore speak to them and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him according to his great idolatry, 5so that I may take hold of the hearts of the people of Israel. For because of their idols, they are all estranged from Me.’
The house of Israel is therefore called to repent, turn away from idols, and turn its face from abominations. Anyone, whether Israelite or foreign resident, who clings to idols and still seeks prophetic guidance will find the LORD setting His face against him and making him a sign and proverb. Even a prophet drawn into speaking falsely will be judged, so that both inquirer and prophet bear their guilt, with the larger goal that Israel may stop straying and again live as the LORD's people.
6Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Repent and turn away from your idols; turn your faces away from all your abominations. 7For when any Israelite or any foreigner dwelling in Israel separates himself from Me, sets up idols in his heart, and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me, I the LORD will answer him Myself. 8I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among My people. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 9But if the prophet is enticed to speak a message, then it was I the LORD who enticed him, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. 10They will bear their punishment— the punishment of the inquirer will be the same as that of the prophet— 11in order that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me and no longer defile themselves with all their transgressions. Then they will be My people and I will be their God, declares the Lord GOD.’”