Ezekiel 33:23-33

Ezekiel 33:23-33

[23] Then the word  of the LORD  came unto me, saying,  [24] Son  of man,  they that inhabit  those wastes  of the land  of Israel  speak,  Abraham  was one,  and he inherited  the land:  but we are many;  the land  is given  us for inheritance.  [25] Wherefore say  the Lord  Ye eat  with the blood,  and lift up  your eyes  toward your idols,  and shed  blood:  and shall ye possess  the land?  [26] Ye stand  upon your sword,  ye work  abomination,  and ye defile  every one  his neighbour's  wife:  and shall ye possess  the land?  [27] Say  the Lord  GOD;  As I live,  surely they that are in the wastes  shall fall  by the sword,  and him that is in the open  field  will I give  to the beasts  to be devoured,  and in the caves  shall die  of the pestilence.  [28] For I will lay  the land  most  desolate,  and the pomp  of her strength  shall cease;  and the mountains  of Israel  shall be desolate,  that none shall pass through.  [29] Then shall they know  that I am the LORD,  when I have laid  the land  most  desolate  because of all their abominations  which they have committed.  [30] Also, thou son  of man,  the children  of thy people  still are talking  against  thee by the walls  and in the doors  of the houses,  and speak  one  to another,  every one  to his brother,  saying,  Come,  I pray you, and hear  what is the word  that cometh forth  from the LORD.  [31] And they come  unto thee as the people  cometh,  and they sit  before  thee as my people,  and they hear  thy words,  but they will not do  them: for with their mouth  they shew  much love,  but their heart  goeth  after  their covetousness.  [32] And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely  song  of one that hath a pleasant  voice,  and can play well  on an instrument:  for they hear  thy words,  but they do  them not. [33] And when this cometh to pass,  then shall they know  that a prophet  hath been among  them.

What does Ezekiel 33:23-33 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This first message dealt with a serious defect in the Israelites. The Jews still in Judea were not listening to the whole counsel of God but were picking and choosing what they would obey ( Ezekiel 33:23-29). The Jews in exile were listening to Ezekiel , but they were not responding ( Ezekiel 33:30-33). If they were to profit from the messages of hope that Ezekiel proceeded to give them, all the Jews needed to respond to those he had already delivered by repenting. Thus this first message in this series prepared them for those that followed. The first step on the road to hope was a change in their attitude toward God"s word.