Ezekiel 14:14
then even if these three men--Noah, Daniel, and Job--were in it, their righteousness could deliver only themselves, declares the Lord GOD.
then even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it
This phrase highlights the exceptional righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job, who are renowned figures in biblical history. Noah is known for his obedience and faithfulness in building the ark (Genesis 6-9), Daniel for his unwavering devotion to God despite living in exile (Daniel 1-6), and Job for his patience and integrity amidst suffering (Job 1-2). Their inclusion underscores the severity of the judgment being pronounced, as even their presence would not avert it. This reflects the high regard for their righteousness in Jewish tradition and serves as a standard against which the people of Israel are measured.

their righteousness could deliver only themselves
This emphasizes the personal nature of righteousness and accountability before God. It suggests that individual righteousness cannot be transferred or imputed to others, highlighting the principle that each person is responsible for their own relationship with God. This is consistent with other biblical teachings, such as in Deuteronomy 24:16, where it is stated that each person is to be put to death for their own sin, not for the sins of others. It also foreshadows New Testament teachings on personal salvation and accountability (Romans 14:12).

declares the Lord GOD
This phrase asserts the authority and sovereignty of God in making this declaration. It is a common prophetic formula that underscores the divine origin of the message. The use of "Lord GOD" (YHWH Elohim) emphasizes both the covenantal relationship God has with His people and His supreme power. This declaration serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority and the seriousness of His pronouncements, reinforcing the certainty and inevitability of the judgment being described.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel conveyed God's messages to the Israelites, often using vivid imagery and symbolic actions.

2. Noah
Known for his righteousness and obedience, Noah was chosen by God to build the ark and preserve life during the great flood (Genesis 6-9).

3. Daniel
A prophet and statesman in Babylon, Daniel was renowned for his unwavering faith and integrity, even in the face of persecution (Book of Daniel).

4. Job
A man of great patience and faith, Job endured immense suffering yet remained faithful to God, exemplifying righteousness and perseverance (Book of Job).

5. Jerusalem
The city facing impending judgment due to the people's persistent idolatry and sin, as addressed by Ezekiel.
Teaching Points
Righteousness and Personal Responsibility
The verse emphasizes that individual righteousness is crucial and cannot be transferred to others. Each person is accountable for their own relationship with God.

The Power of a Righteous Life
Noah, Daniel, and Job serve as examples of how a righteous life can stand out in a corrupt world. Their accounts encourage believers to pursue personal holiness.

Judgment and Mercy
While God's judgment is inevitable for persistent sin, His mercy is available to those who seek righteousness. This balance is a recurring theme in Scripture.

Faithfulness in Adversity
The lives of these three men demonstrate that faithfulness to God is possible even in the most challenging circumstances, encouraging believers to remain steadfast.

The Limitations of Intercession
The verse highlights that even the intercession of the most righteous individuals cannot save others who persist in sin, underscoring the need for personal repentance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do the lives of Noah, Daniel, and Job inspire you to pursue personal righteousness in your own life?

2. In what ways can you demonstrate faithfulness to God in the face of adversity, as seen in the examples of these three men?

3. How does Ezekiel 14:14 challenge your understanding of personal responsibility in your spiritual walk?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that your righteousness is not just outward but stems from a genuine relationship with God?

5. How can the accounts of Noah, Daniel, and Job encourage you to intercede for others, even while recognizing the limitations of intercession as highlighted in this passage?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 6-9
Noah's account highlights the theme of righteousness amidst widespread corruption, paralleling the context of Ezekiel's message.

Daniel 1-6
Daniel's life exemplifies steadfast faith and righteousness, even in a foreign land, similar to the call for faithfulness in Ezekiel's time.

Job 1-2
Job's account underscores the theme of enduring faith and righteousness despite suffering, resonating with the call to personal integrity in Ezekiel 14:14.

Jeremiah 15:1
This verse echoes the idea that even the presence of righteous individuals like Moses and Samuel would not avert judgment, similar to Ezekiel's message.
Illustrious PietyJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 14:14
A Delusion DispelledEzekiel 14:12-14
Good Men: Their Power and Their WeaknessD. Thomas, D. D.Ezekiel 14:12-14
Noah, Daniel, and JobBishop Harvey Goodwin.Ezekiel 14:12-14
The Limit of InfluenceJ. Parker, D. D.Ezekiel 14:12-14
Human Atonement ValuelessJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 14:12-23
People
Daniel, Ezekiel, Job, Noah
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Affirmation, Daniel, Declares, Deliver, Job, Midst, Noah, Righteousness, Safe, Save, Says, Soul, Souls, Sovereign, Themselves, Though
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 14:14

     5106   Noah

Ezekiel 14:14-18

     1652   numbers, 3-5

Library
Education of Jesus.
This aspect of Nature, at once smiling and grand, was the whole education of Jesus. He learned to read and to write,[1] doubtless, according to the Eastern method, which consisted in putting in the hands of the child a book, which he repeated in cadence with his little comrades, until he knew it by heart.[2] It is doubtful, however, if he understood the Hebrew writings in their original tongue. His biographers make him quote them according to the translations in the Aramean tongue;[3] his principles
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
From this Commandment we learn that after the excellent works of the first three Commandments there are no better works than to obey and serve all those who are set over us as superiors. For this reason also disobedience is a greater sin than murder, unchastity, theft and dishonesty, and all that these may include. For we can in no better way learn how to distinguish between greater and lesser sins than by noting the order of the Commandments of God, although there are distinctions also within the
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6, 7.--"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Not only are the direct breaches of the command uncleanness, and men originally and actually unclean, but even our holy actions, our commanded duties. Take a man's civility, religion, and all his universal inherent righteousness,--all are filthy rags. And here the church confesseth nothing but what God accuseth her of, Isa. lxvi. 8, and chap. i. ver.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

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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