Ezekiel 11:9

And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.

And I will bring you out {H3318} of the midst {H8432} thereof, and deliver {H5414} you into the hands {H3027} of strangers {H2114}, and will execute {H6213} judgments {H8201} among you.

"I will bring you out of it, hand you over to foreigners and execute judgments among you.

I will bring you out of the city and deliver you into the hands of foreigners, and I will execute judgments against you.

And I will bring you forth out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.

Commentary

Ezekiel 11:9 delivers a severe prophetic warning from God to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, detailing their impending doom and exile. This verse underscores God's active role in bringing judgment upon a rebellious people, dispelling any false sense of security they might have held within their city walls.

Context

This prophecy is given to Ezekiel while he is among the exiles in Babylon, yet he is supernaturally transported in a vision to Jerusalem. In Ezekiel chapter 11, the prophet witnesses the wickedness of the city's leaders and people, who arrogantly believed Jerusalem was an impenetrable "pot" protecting them from the "fire" of God's wrath. Verse 9 directly contradicts this notion, declaring that God Himself would bring them "out of the midst thereof" (out of Jerusalem) not to safety, but to further judgment at the hands of foreign invaders.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Retribution: The verse clearly states, "I will bring you out... and deliver you... and will execute judgments among you." This highlights God's direct and sovereign involvement in punishing sin. His judgment is not a passive outcome but an active, deliberate act of justice.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The "hands of strangers" refers to the Babylonian army, whom God used as instruments of His wrath. This fulfills the curses outlined in the Law, particularly those in Deuteronomy 28, which warned of foreign invasion and exile for disobedience to God's covenant.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even amidst the chaos and destruction of exile, this verse affirms that God remains in complete control. He is not merely reacting to events but orchestrating them, using even pagan nations to achieve His righteous purposes and bring about His divine justice upon His people for their idolatry and moral corruption.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "execute judgments" comes from the Hebrew word shâphaṭ (שָׁפַט), meaning to judge, govern, or punish. In this context, it signifies the carrying out of legal and divine decrees against those who have broken God's covenant. It emphasizes that God's actions are just and based on His holy character and the people's persistent rebellion, rather than being arbitrary.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 11:9 serves as a timeless reminder of God's holiness and the serious consequences of persistent sin and rebellion. For believers today, it underscores that while we live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, God's nature as a righteous judge remains. This verse calls us to humility and repentance, reminding us that no one is truly safe from the consequences of sin without God's mercy. It also reinforces the truth of God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and events, assuring us that He is always working out His purposes, even through difficult circumstances, to bring about His justice and glory.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 5:8 (5 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, [am] against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.

  • Psalms 106:41 (4 votes)

    And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.

  • Deuteronomy 28:36 (4 votes)

    The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.

  • Ezekiel 16:41 (3 votes)

    And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

  • Deuteronomy 28:49 (3 votes)

    The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, [as swift] as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

  • Deuteronomy 28:50 (3 votes)

    A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:

  • 2 Kings 24:4 (2 votes)

    And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.