Ezekiel 9:9

He replied, "The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of bloodshed, and the city is full of perversity. For they say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.'

Study Bible

He replied, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great.
This phrase highlights the severe moral and spiritual corruption of both Israel and Judah. Historically, this period was marked by idolatry, social injustice, and a departure from the covenant with God. The division between Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom) had led to separate paths of disobedience, yet both were guilty of significant transgressions. This echoes the warnings of earlier prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, who also condemned the nations for their sins. The term "exceedingly great" underscores the depth and breadth of their rebellion against God.

The land is full of bloodshed,
This indicates rampant violence and injustice throughout the land. Bloodshed often refers to murder and the shedding of innocent blood, which was strictly condemned in the Mosaic Law. This reflects a society that has abandoned God's commandments, leading to chaos and moral decay. The historical context includes the political instability and frequent conflicts that plagued the region, contributing to a culture of violence. This situation is reminiscent of the pre-flood world described in Genesis 6:11, where the earth was filled with violence.

and the city is full of perversity.
The city, likely referring to Jerusalem, is described as being filled with moral corruption and depravity. Perversity here can include sexual immorality, idolatry, and other forms of ethical corruption. Jerusalem, the city meant to be a beacon of God's presence and holiness, had become a center of sin. This mirrors the situation in Sodom and Gomorrah, where pervasive wickedness led to divine judgment. The prophets often used the imagery of a corrupt city to symbolize the spiritual state of the people.

For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land;
This reflects a common belief among the people that God had abandoned them, possibly due to the prolonged period of suffering and foreign oppression. This sentiment reveals a lack of faith and understanding of God's covenant promises. It also shows a misunderstanding of the nature of God's discipline, which is meant to lead to repentance rather than indicate abandonment. This echoes the lament in Psalm 22:1, where the psalmist feels forsaken but ultimately trusts in God's deliverance.

the LORD does not see.’”
This phrase indicates a belief that God is either unaware of or indifferent to their actions. It suggests a theological misunderstanding of God's omniscience and justice. This attitude is reminiscent of the scoffers in Psalm 10:11, who say, "He will never see it." Such a belief leads to moral recklessness, as people act without fear of divine retribution. Theologically, this challenges the understanding of God's nature as all-seeing and all-knowing, as affirmed in Proverbs 15:3, which states that the eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites.

2. The House of Israel and Judah
Refers to the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, representing the entire nation of God's chosen people.

3. The Land
Symbolizes the Promised Land, which is now defiled by the sins of its inhabitants.

4. Bloodshed and Perversity
Represents the rampant violence and moral corruption present in the society.

5. The LORD
The God of Israel, who is perceived by the people as having abandoned them.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Sin
Sin has tangible consequences, both spiritually and physically, as seen in the bloodshed and perversity filling the land.

God's Omniscience
Despite the people's belief that God does not see, He is fully aware of all actions and intentions. This should lead to a life of integrity and accountability.

The Danger of Spiritual Apathy
The belief that "The LORD has forsaken the land" reflects a dangerous spiritual apathy and misunderstanding of God's nature.

Repentance and Restoration
Even in the face of judgment, God offers a path to repentance and restoration, as seen throughout the prophetic books.

The Role of the Prophet
Prophets like Ezekiel serve as God's mouthpiece, calling people back to righteousness and warning of the consequences of continued disobedience.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the condition of Israel and Judah in Ezekiel 9:9 compare to the world today, and what lessons can we learn from this comparison?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we do not fall into the trap of believing that God does not see our actions?

3. How can we apply the concept of God's omniscience to our daily lives to live more righteously?

4. What steps can we take to avoid spiritual apathy and remain vigilant in our faith?

5. How can the role of prophets in the Bible inspire us to speak truth and call others to repentance in our own communities?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 6:11-12
The earth was corrupt and filled with violence before the flood, similar to the condition of Israel and Judah in Ezekiel's time.

Isaiah 59:2-3
Highlights how iniquities separate people from God, echoing the spiritual state described in Ezekiel 9:9.

Psalm 10:11
Reflects the mindset of those who believe God does not see their actions, paralleling the attitude in Ezekiel 9:9.

Jeremiah 7:9-11
Describes the false sense of security in the temple despite rampant sin, similar to the false belief that God has forsaken the land.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Chronicles the repeated warnings from God through His prophets, which were ignored by the people, leading to judgment.