Ezekiel 22:23-31

Ezekiel 22:23-31

[23] And the word  of the LORD  came unto me, saying,  [24] Son  of man,  say  unto her, Thou art the land  that is not cleansed,  nor rained  upon in the day  of indignation.  [25] There is a conspiracy  of her prophets  in the midst  thereof, like a roaring  lion  ravening  the prey;  they have devoured  souls;  they have taken  the treasure  and precious things;  they have made her many  widows  in the midst  [26] Her priests  have violated  my law,  and have profaned  mine holy things:  they have put no difference  between the holy  and profane,  neither have they shewed  difference between the unclean  and the clean,  and have hid  their eyes  from my sabbaths,  and I am profaned  among  [27] Her princes  in the midst  thereof are like wolves  ravening  the prey,  to shed  blood,  and to destroy  souls,  to get  dishonest gain.  [28] And her prophets  have daubed  them with untempered  morter, seeing  vanity,  and divining  lies  unto them, saying,  the Lord  GOD,  when the LORD  hath not spoken.  [29] The people  of the land  have used oppression,  and exercised  robbery,  and have vexed  the poor  and needy:  yea, they have oppressed  the stranger  wrongfully.  [30] And I sought  for a man  among them, that should make up  the hedge,  and stand  in the gap  before  me for the land,  that I should not destroy  it: but I found  [31] Therefore have I poured out  mine indignation  upon them; I have consumed  them with the fire  of my wrath:  their own way  have I recompensed  upon their heads,  saith  the Lord  GOD. 

What does Ezekiel 22:23-31 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"Often the prophets are inspired to compose attacks on the leadership of Israelite society. The reason for this phenomenon is clear enough: the nation could never have become sufficiently corrupt to merit the outpouring of God"s destructive wrath unless the societal leadership had helped the process along." [1]