Ezekiel 20:3

Sonne of man, speake vnto the elders of Israel, and say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Are yee come to enquire of me? As I liue, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you. Ezekiel 20:3 (KJV)

In this passage the prophet Ezekiel delivers a direct rebuke from the Lord to the elders of Israel who have approached him seeking divine guidance. The setting is the Babylonian exile, a time when Israel’s rebellion and unfaithfulness had brought the nation to captivity. God had chosen Ezekiel to speak His words to a people who had repeatedly turned away from the covenant, and to warn them of the consequences of continued disobedience.

Ezekiel 20 records God confronting the elders as they come to inquire of Him. Rather than granting a simple answer, the Lord questions their motives, implying that an inquiry born of insincerity will not be entertained. The tone is one of divine judgment: the people’s history of idolatry, refusal to keep the law, and continual rebellion is recounted, even as God reminds them of the mercy shown to their forefathers—delivering them from Egypt, giving them the law, and providing continual instruction.

The declaration, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you,” underscores that God will not respond to hollow requests that lack genuine repentance. True seeking of God’s guidance must be accompanied by a heartfelt turning away from sin and a sincere desire to obey. The passage therefore serves as a sobering reminder that divine assistance is conditioned upon authentic contrition and a commitment to follow His ways.

It is important to note that this rebuke is specific to the rebellious elders in exile; it does not mean that God is forever closed to inquiry. Scripture records many instances where sincere individuals and communities approached God and received His answer. The lesson of Ezekiel 20:3 is that the quality of the heart matters more than the act of asking.

In conclusion, the verse challenges believers to examine the motives behind their prayers. When we approach God with genuine repentance and a willingness to obey, our inquiries are met with His gracious response; when our hearts remain hardened, even earnest questions fall on deaf ears.