Ezekiel 8:9
Then He said to me, "Go in and see the wicked abominations they are committing here."
Then He said to me
This phrase indicates a direct communication from God to the prophet Ezekiel. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, God frequently speaks to the prophet, providing visions and instructions. This divine communication underscores the authority and authenticity of Ezekiel's prophetic message. It is reminiscent of other instances in the Bible where God speaks directly to His prophets, such as with Moses in Exodus 3:4 and Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8.

Go in and see
Ezekiel is commanded to enter and observe, highlighting the role of a prophet as a witness to the actions and conditions of the people. This command to "go in" suggests a deeper revelation of hidden sins, similar to how God reveals the hidden things of the heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). The act of seeing is crucial for Ezekiel's role as a prophet, as he must accurately convey God's message to the people.

the wicked abominations
The term "wicked abominations" refers to the idolatrous practices and moral corruption taking place in the temple. In the context of Ezekiel, these abominations are particularly egregious because they occur in a place meant for the worship of Yahweh. The use of "abominations" is consistent with other Old Testament references to idolatry and sin, such as in Deuteronomy 7:25-26 and Jeremiah 7:30. These practices are a direct violation of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

they are committing here
The location "here" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a sacred space that has been defiled by the people's actions. This desecration of the temple is a significant theme in Ezekiel, as it represents the spiritual decline of Israel. The historical context is the period leading up to the Babylonian exile, a time of great apostasy and rebellion against God. The actions of the people in the temple are a microcosm of the broader unfaithfulness of the nation, which ultimately leads to judgment and exile, as prophesied in Leviticus 26:31-33.

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. God
The sovereign Lord who reveals the hidden abominations to Ezekiel, demonstrating His omniscience and concern for holiness.

3. The Temple in Jerusalem
The holy place where God’s presence was meant to dwell, now defiled by idolatrous practices.

4. The Vision
A supernatural revelation given to Ezekiel, showing the spiritual corruption within the temple.

5. The Abominations
Idolatrous practices and detestable acts committed by the Israelites, which provoke God's anger.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just a historical issue but a present danger. Anything that takes the place of God in our hearts can become an idol. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols, such as materialism, power, or even relationships.

God's Omniscience and Holiness
God sees all, even the hidden sins of our hearts. His holiness demands that we live in purity and truth. We should strive to live transparently before God, confessing and repenting of our sins.

The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
The leaders in the temple were responsible for guiding the people in worship. Their failure led to widespread corruption. Spiritual leaders today must uphold God's standards and lead by example.

The Call to Repentance
Ezekiel's vision serves as a call to repentance. We are reminded of the need to turn away from sin and return to God, seeking His forgiveness and restoration.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "abominations" or idols that can infiltrate our lives and communities?

2. How does understanding God's omniscience impact the way we live our daily lives?

3. In what ways can spiritual leaders today ensure they are leading with integrity and faithfulness to God's Word?

4. How can we cultivate a heart of repentance and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's conviction?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that our worship remains pure and focused solely on God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3-5
This passage outlines the first and second commandments, prohibiting idolatry, which directly connects to the abominations seen by Ezekiel.

Jeremiah 7:30
Jeremiah also speaks of the abominations committed in the temple, highlighting the consistent message of the prophets regarding Israel's unfaithfulness.

2 Kings 21:4-7
Describes King Manasseh's idolatrous practices in the temple, providing historical context for the abominations Ezekiel witnesses.

Romans 1:21-23
Paul discusses humanity's tendency to exchange the glory of God for idols, a theme evident in Ezekiel's vision.
Gradual Disclosure of Human SinJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 8:1-16
The Chambers of Imagery; Or, Secret SinsW. Jones Ezekiel 8:7-13
People
Ezekiel, Jaazaniah, Shaphan
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abominations, Behold, Committing, Detestable, Disgusting, Evil, Vile, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 8:5-18

     6103   abomination

Ezekiel 8:9-12

     5211   art

Ezekiel 8:9-16

     8831   syncretism

Library
Chambers of Imagery
'Then said He unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery!'--EZEKIEL viii. 12. This is part of a vision which came to the prophet in his captivity. He is carried away in imagination from his home amongst the exiles in the East to the Temple of Jerusalem. There he sees in one dreadful series representations of all the forms of idolatry to which the handful that were left in the land were cleaving. There meets
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Message from the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapters ii and iii) "The glory of love is brightest when the glory of self is dim, And they have the most compelled me who most have pointed to Him. They have held me, stirred me, swayed me,--I have hung on their every word, Till I fain would arise and follow, not them, not them,--but their Lord!"[64] Patmos Spells Patience. Patience is strength at its strongest, using all its strength in holding back from doing something. Patience is love at flood pleading with strength to hold steady
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
The stay in Cana, though we have no means of determining its length, was probably of only short duration. Perhaps the Sabbath of the same week already found Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth. We will not seek irreverently to lift the veil of sacred silence, which here, as elsewhere, the Gospel-narratives have laid over the Sanctuary of His inner Life. That silence is itself theopneustic, of Divine breathing and inspiration; it is more eloquent than any eloquence, a guarantee of the truthfulness
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and Connivance, Between Fervour and Gentleness.
It should be known too that the vices of subjects ought sometimes to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at; that things, even though openly known, ought sometimes to be seasonably tolerated, but sometimes, though hidden, be closely investigated; that they ought sometimes to be gently reproved, but sometimes vehemently censured. For, indeed, some things, as we have said, ought to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at, so that, when the
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

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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