Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 14 | Sabbath: October 5, 2024
Memory Verse: Ezekiel 14:3
Ezekiel 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Weekly Proverb: Ecclesiastes 8:1
Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
Introduction: While studying today’s lesson, keep in mind the idolatry in the hearts of today’s men and women. These concepts still apply to the Christian churches and the Christian religion of today. Christians hold dear their springtime idols and their wintertime idols.

1. Israel had fallen deeply into idolatry. When an entire country is overtaken by idolatry, it has to be accepted by it leaders. Who came before God’s prophet? Ezekiel 14:1.
Ezekiel 14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
2. These were the leaders of God’s people. Of course He did not accept their idolatry. Once the elders were assembled, who began to speak to the prophet? v 2.
Ezekiel 14:2 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
3. Idols can be cast of molten metal or carved of wood. Idols can stand in the place of worship or in a home. Where were the idols of these elders? What were they made of? v 3, 3ab.
Ezekiel 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
4. Based on verses 1 through 3, these elders had come to Ezekiel with a request of God; there was something that they wanted to know. What did God think of these men and their questions? v 3, 3d.
Ezekiel 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
5. The Bible doesn’t say what their questions were. It is obvious that God ignored their questions. But since they had their idols in their heart, how does the Almighty intend to answer them. v 4.
Ezekiel 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I
Question: These elders of Israel were idolaters, yet they came to Ezekiel to enquire of God. Was that an insult to God?
6. God was not interested in their questions! What was He interested in? What did He want them to do? v 6.
Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
7. These men were coming to God; yet, they were still idolaters. How does God make it clear that this is not acceptable? v 7, 8.
Ezekiel 14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the Lord will answer him by myself:
Ezekiel 14:8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
8. How does the Almighty deal with a prophet that is deceived? Is it acceptable? Is he judged? How severe is the judgement? v 9.
Ezekiel 14:8 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
9. How does the Almighty deal with the man that seeks the prophet and is deceived by him? How severe is his judgement? Does he get a grain of mercy for being the victim of the prophet? v 10.
Ezekiel 14:10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;
10. Judgement is given for a reason. God had a purpose behind the
severe judgements of His people. What was that reason? v 11.
Ezekiel 14:11 That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord God.
Conclusion: When the springtime idolater prays, his prayer is ignored. Also, some beliefs are very dear to men. They have created an image of what they believe God to be, of what they believe Jesus to be, and what they believe that the Bible teaches. They refuse to open and study their Bibles knowing that their idols will be shattered.