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?

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, these men {H582} have set up {H5927} their idols {H1544} in their heart {H3820}, and put {H5414} the stumblingblock {H4383} of their iniquity {H5771} before {H5227} their face {H6440}: should I be enquired {H1875} of at all {H1875} by them?

"Human being, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, thus setting in front of themselves the stumblingblock that leads to sin. Should I let them consult me at all?

“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?

Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?

Commentary on Ezekiel 14:3 (KJV)

Ezekiel 14:3 delivers a powerful and convicting message from God to the elders of Israel who came to inquire of Him through the prophet Ezekiel. This verse exposes the hypocrisy and spiritual corruption within the hearts of those who outwardly sought divine counsel but inwardly clung to their sins.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel was ministering to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during a time of national crisis and spiritual decline. In Ezekiel 14, certain elders of Israel, who were among the exiles, came to Ezekiel to "enquire of the Lord" (Ezekiel 14:1). However, before Ezekiel could give them a direct answer, God revealed their true spiritual condition. This verse is the Lord's direct address to Ezekiel concerning these men, exposing their hidden idolatry and iniquity, and questioning His willingness to respond to their superficial inquiries. It sets the stage for God's firm stance against insincere worship and unrepentant hearts.

Key Themes

  • Internal Idolatry: The most striking aspect is "set up their idols in their heart." This highlights that true idolatry is not merely external worship of statues, but an internal devotion and allegiance given to anything other than God, as the heart is deceitful above all things. It signifies a divided loyalty where God is supposedly sought, but other desires, ambitions, or sinful habits hold primary sway in one's affections.
  • The Stumblingblock of Iniquity: "put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face" means their persistent sin and wickedness acted as a direct obstacle or barrier to genuine communion with God. Their unconfessed and unrepented sins blinded them and prevented them from approaching God sincerely or receiving His true guidance. Their persistent sin served as a 'stumblingblock' (Hebrew: mikshol), an obstacle that blocked their path to God's presence and prevented genuine communion, illustrating how sins separate us from God.
  • God's Refusal to be Mocked: The rhetorical question, "should I be enquired of at all by them?" powerfully conveys God's indignation and His refusal to answer or engage with those who approach Him with hypocritical hearts. God demands sincerity and true devotion; He will not be treated as a mere oracle for those who refuse to abandon their sinful ways.

Linguistic Insights

The term "idols" here is the Hebrew word gillulim, which is often translated as "dung-gods" or "detestable things." This strong term emphasizes the utter contempt God has for these false objects of worship, especially when they occupy the very heart of His people. The "stumblingblock" (Hebrew: mikshol) literally means a cause of falling or ruin, signifying how their iniquity directly led to their spiritual downfall and separation from God.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 14:3 serves as a timeless warning against hypocrisy and superficial religiosity. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts:

  • Self-Examination: Do we have "idols in our heart"—anything that takes precedence over God in our affections, thoughts, or actions? These can be subtle, such as careers, relationships, possessions, comfort, or even self-righteousness.
  • Repentance: Are there "stumblingblocks of iniquity" in our lives—unconfessed sins, unaddressed habits, or unrepentant attitudes that hinder our relationship with God? True communion requires genuine repentance and a desire to turn away from sin.
  • Sincere Worship: God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). This verse reminds us that approaching God with a divided heart or unrepentant spirit renders our prayers and inquiries meaningless to Him. He seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

This verse calls us to a radical honesty before God, ensuring that our outward religious observances are matched by an inward devotion and a genuine commitment to righteousness.

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.

  • 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 7:19

    They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

  • Isaiah 1:15

    And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

  • Ezekiel 20:16

    Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.

  • Ezekiel 20:3

    Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

  • 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 the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

  • Ezekiel 44:12

    Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.

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