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Ezekiel 11

25 verses

TL;DR

Ezekiel delivers judgment upon Jerusalem's corrupt leaders, mourns the loss of a righteous man, and prophesies the eventual restoration of Israel as a sanctuary.

Summary

Ezekiel, guided by the Spirit, is taken to the east gate of the LORD's house where he observes twenty‑two men, among them Jaazaniah and Pelatiah, who devise wicked schemes for the city. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy against them, condemning their violence, fear of the sword, and idol worship, promising judgment and eventual deliverance from foreign hands. While delivering the judgment, Pelatiah dies, causing Ezekiel to cry out, asking if God will end the remnant of Israel. The LORD then speaks of a future where the exiles are scattered yet gathered back to the land, cleansed of detestable things, given a new heart to keep His statutes, and promised that He will be their God. The chapter concludes with a vision of the cherubim and the glory of God ascending from the city, symbolizing divine presence and judgment.

Outline
  1. Prophecy against corrupt leaders and judgment of Jerusalem.
  2. Death of Pelatiah and Ezekiel's lament over Israel's future.
  3. Vision of restoration: gathering of the exiles and renewed covenant.
Themes
Judgment and repentanceCovenant faithfulnessRestoration after exile
Keywords
SpiritCalderSwordJudgeLordIsraelJerusalemCherubimWheelsNew Spirit
People
JaazaniahPelatiahEzekiel
Places
East gate of the LORD's houseJerusalemChaldeaIsraelMountain east of the city
Things
caldronswordSpirit of the LORDglory of the LORDcherubimwheelsnew spiritstony heartheart of flesh
Key Verses
  • Ezekiel 11:4: The LORD commands Ezekiel to prophesy against the corrupt rulers, setting the chapter's judgmental tone.
  • Ezekiel 11:18: God promises to give the exiles a new heart and spirit, highlighting the theme of renewal.
  • Ezekiel 11:23: The vision of cherubim and the glory of the LORD symbolizes divine presence and the conclusion of judgment.
Questions
  • Why does the LORD condemn the city as a 'caldron' and its inhabitants as 'flesh'? What does this metaphor suggest about their behavior?
  • What is the significance of Pelatiah's death in the context of the prophetic message?
  • How does Ezekiel’s vision of a new heart and spirit relate to the broader biblical theme of covenant renewal?
  • In what ways does the presence of the cherubim and the ascent of the glory of the LORD serve as a symbol of judgment and hope?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter alternates between harsh judgment and hopeful restoration.