Ezekiel 14:23

And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.

And they shall comfort {H5162} you, when ye see {H7200} their ways {H1870} and their doings {H5949}: and ye shall know {H3045} that I have not done {H6213} without cause {H2600} all that I have done {H6213} in it, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Yes, they will console you when you see their way of life and how they act; and you will understand that it was not without good reason that I did what I did in [Yerushalayim]," says Adonai ELOHIM.

They will bring you consolation when you see their conduct and actions, and you will know that it was not without cause that I have done all these things within it,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

And they shall comfort you, when ye see their way and their doings; and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Ezekiel 14:23 concludes a powerful passage where the prophet Ezekiel delivers God's stern message of judgment against Jerusalem due to its pervasive idolatry and rebellion. This verse offers a profound insight into the character of God's justice, even amidst severe punishment.

Context

The immediate context of Ezekiel 14:23 is God's declaration that even if righteous individuals (like Noah, Daniel, and Job) were in Jerusalem, they could only save themselves, not the city from the impending doom (see Ezekiel 14:14). The Lord promises to bring four dreadful judgments upon Jerusalem: sword, famine, noisome beasts, and pestilence. However, a remnant of survivors will be brought out to Babylon. These survivors, though spared, will be a testament to the depth of Jerusalem's sin. Their continued wicked "ways and doings" will serve as undeniable proof to the exiles already in Babylon that God's judgment was not arbitrary, but entirely justified and necessary. This understanding, though grim, brings a form of "comfort" by validating God's righteousness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Vindication: The central message is that God's actions are always righteous and purposeful. He does not act "without cause." His judgments are a direct response to human sin and rebellion, serving to uphold His holy character. This is a powerful declaration of God's impeccable justice.
  • The Nature of God's Judgment: Judgment is not merely punitive but revelatory. It exposes the true extent of sin and demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to righteousness. The remnant's visible sinfulness confirms the necessity of Jerusalem's destruction.
  • Comfort Through Understanding: The "comfort" mentioned here is not a soothing of grief, but a profound relief that comes from understanding God's perfect justice. When the exiles witness the continued wickedness of the survivors, they will grasp the full, tragic reason for the destruction of their beloved city, thereby removing any doubt about God's fairness.
  • Witness of the Remnant: Though a small number, the survivors serve as a living demonstration of the pervasive sin that provoked divine wrath. They are a physical sign confirming God's word.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "comfort" is nacham (נָחַם), which can mean to sigh, grieve, repent, or be consoled. In this context, it implies a profound sense of relief or vindication, a settling of the heart that comes from seeing God's actions as just and true. It's not a comfort that removes pain, but one that eliminates doubt. The phrase "without cause" translates from the Hebrew chinnam (חִנָּם), meaning 'for nothing,' 'gratuitously,' or 'without good reason.' This powerfully emphasizes that God's severe actions against Jerusalem were entirely warranted by their persistent sin.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 14:23 reminds us that God is never arbitrary in His dealings with humanity. Even when His judgments seem severe or incomprehensible to us, they are always rooted in perfect justice and a divine purpose. This verse calls us to:

  • Trust God's Character: We can rest assured that God's actions are always just, even when we don't fully understand them in the moment. His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
  • Examine Ourselves: Just as the exiles were to see the "ways and doings" of the survivors, we are called to honestly examine our own lives and acknowledge our sin, understanding that rebellion against God has consequences.
  • Find Comfort in Truth: True comfort and peace often come from understanding God's truth, even when that truth reveals uncomfortable realities about sin and judgment. Knowing that God is righteous in all His ways brings a deep sense of security and ultimate peace.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 22:8

    And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?

  • Jeremiah 22:9

    Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

  • Daniel 9:7

    O Lord, righteousness [belongeth] unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, [that are] near, and [that are] far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

  • Nehemiah 9:33

    Howbeit thou [art] just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:

  • Ezekiel 9:8

    And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?

  • Ezekiel 9:9

    Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah [is] exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.

  • Proverbs 26:2

    ¶ As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

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