Ezekiel 14:1-5 - These men set up idols in their hearts

14:1-3

Some of the elders came and sat down in front of Ezekiel, probably expecting or hoping to get the word of the Lord. However, the Lord was on the case! And the Lord spoke to Ezekiel. He tells Ezekiel that “these men” had set up idols “in their hearts” and had put “wicked stumbling blocks before their faces”. Worshipping idols is one of the biggest sins in the Bible, arguably the biggest sin. Why is it such a serious matter? The fundamental question is what are we putting our trust in and what are we basing our lives on? We should be trusting in God and seeking to live our lives His way. When we have idols we are putting our trust in something or someone else. Moreover, that idol will start to lead us astray, by telling us that we can live our lives anyway we like. We are building our lives on a lie. Note also that it speaks here of idols in their hearts. It goes to the heart of the matter. “Should I let them enquire of me at all?” If someone is not trusting in God why should God listen to them?

14:4,5

However, God will speak to them, and He tells Ezekiel what to say. First, Ezekiel is to reveal to them that the Lord knows they have set up idols in their hearts, and set up physical idols as well. Proverbs tells us to guard our hearts above all things, for it is the wellspring of life. If we set up idols in our hearts it becomes the wellspring of death. So the Lord Himself will speak to them. The elders’ sins had also led the people astray, God’s people. Our sin never affects us alone, it always has an impact on others. So God wants to “recapture the hearts of the people” and this will involve judgement upon the elders.  For the people had all deserted the Lord.