Ezekiel 11:2
And the LORD said to me, "Son of man, these are the men who plot evil and give wicked counsel in this city.
And the LORD said to me
This phrase indicates direct communication from God to the prophet Ezekiel. In the context of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, God frequently speaks to him, providing visions and messages for the people of Israel. This divine communication underscores the authority and authenticity of Ezekiel's message. The phrase "the LORD said" is a common biblical expression denoting a revelation from God, emphasizing the importance of the message that follows.

Son of man
This title, used frequently in the book of Ezekiel, highlights the humanity of the prophet in contrast to the divine nature of God. It serves to remind Ezekiel of his role as a representative of humanity, tasked with delivering God's messages. The term "Son of man" is also significant in the New Testament, where it is used by Jesus to refer to Himself, linking the prophetic role of Ezekiel to the messianic mission of Christ.

these are the men who plot evil
The men referred to here are leaders in Jerusalem who are devising plans contrary to God's will. This phrase highlights the moral and spiritual corruption among the city's leadership. In the broader biblical narrative, plotting evil is often associated with rebellion against God, as seen in other instances such as the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) and the actions of various kings of Israel and Judah.

and give wicked counsel in this city
The counsel given by these men is described as wicked, indicating that it leads the people away from God's commandments and towards sin. This reflects a broader theme in the Bible where leaders are held accountable for guiding their people, as seen in the warnings given to shepherds of Israel in Ezekiel 34. The city, Jerusalem, is significant as the center of religious and political life for the Israelites, making the impact of such counsel even more profound. The failure of leadership here foreshadows the eventual judgment and exile that the city will face.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the recipient of God's visions and messages, tasked with delivering them to the Israelites.

2. The LORD
The sovereign God of Israel, who communicates directly with Ezekiel, revealing the spiritual and moral state of the people and their leaders.

3. The Men
These are the leaders or elders of Israel who are accused of plotting evil and giving wicked counsel, leading the people astray.

4. The City
Refers to Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship and identity, which is under threat due to the people's disobedience and the leaders' corruption.

5. Plotting Evil and Giving Wicked Counsel
This describes the actions of the leaders who are steering the people away from God's commandments, contributing to the city's impending judgment.
Teaching Points
The Responsibility of Leadership
Leaders are accountable to God for their influence and guidance. They must seek wisdom and counsel from God rather than their own understanding.

The Consequences of Wicked Counsel
Giving and following ungodly advice leads to destruction and judgment. It is crucial to discern and reject counsel that contradicts God's Word.

The Role of the Prophet
Prophets like Ezekiel are called to speak truth to power, even when it is unpopular. Believers today are also called to stand for truth in a world that often rejects it.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
God sees the actions and intentions of all, and He will hold accountable those who lead others astray. Trust in His justice and righteousness.

Repentance and Restoration
While judgment is pronounced, there is always an opportunity for repentance and turning back to God. This is a call to examine our own lives and seek His forgiveness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of leadership in Ezekiel 11:2 compare to the responsibilities of leaders in the church today?

2. What are some modern examples of "wicked counsel" that believers should be wary of, and how can we discern them?

3. In what ways can we, like Ezekiel, be voices of truth in our communities, and what challenges might we face?

4. How does understanding God's sovereignty and justice in Ezekiel 11:2 provide comfort and assurance in times of moral and spiritual decline?

5. Reflect on a time when you followed ungodly advice. What were the consequences, and how did you find your way back to God's path?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 5:31
This verse speaks of prophets prophesying falsely and priests ruling by their own authority, similar to the wicked counsel given by the leaders in Ezekiel.

Isaiah 3:12
Highlights the consequences of poor leadership, where those who lead the people cause them to err, paralleling the situation in Ezekiel.

Micah 3:11
Describes leaders who judge for a bribe and prophets who divine for money, reflecting the corruption and wicked counsel in Ezekiel 11:2.
Evil CounsellorsJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 11:2
A Vision of PriesthoodsUrijah R. Thomas.Ezekiel 11:1-12
Evil in High PlacesJ. Parker, D. D.Ezekiel 11:1-12
The Presumptuous Security of Sinners Exhibited and CondemnedW. Jones Ezekiel 11:1-13
The Summary Punishment of Official GuiltJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 11:1-13
People
Azur, Azzur, Benaiah, Ezekiel, Jaazaniah, Pelatiah
Places
Chaldea, Chebar, Jerusalem
Topics
Advice, Counsel, Designing, Devise, Devising, Evil, Giving, Iniquity, Mischief, Teaching, Town, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 11:2

     5779   advice

Ezekiel 11:1-12

     4478   meat

Ezekiel 11:2-3

     5817   conspiracies

Ezekiel 11:2-4

     5780   advisers

Library
A Little Sanctuary
The Lord hears the unkind speeches of the prosperous when they speak bitterly of those who are plunged in adversity. Read the context--"Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the Lord: unto us is this land given in possession." This unbrotherly language moved the Lord to send the prophet Ezekiel with good and profitable words to the children of the captivity.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
Jesus is talking of the death of His friend, let us listen to His words; perhaps we may find the key to His actions in the words of His lips. How surprising! He does not say, "I regret that I have tarried so long." He does not say, "I ought to have hastened, but even now it is not too late." Hear, and marvel! Wonder of wonders, He says, "I am glad that I was not there." Glad! the word is out of place? Lazarus, by this time, stinketh in his tomb,and here is the Saviour glad! Martha and Mary are weeping
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified."--John vii. 39. We have come to the most difficult part in the discussion of the work of the Holy Spirit, viz., the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the tenth day after the ascension. In the treatment of this subject it is not our aim to create a new interest in the celebration of Pentecost. We consider this almost impossible. Man's nature is too unspiritual for this. But we shall reverently endeavor to give a clearer insight
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, to urge the performance
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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