Ezekiel 14:3

Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

Ezekiel 14:3 (KJV)

Context

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. The prophet Ezekiel was called by God to deliver messages to the exiled Israelites in Babylon. The Israelites had turned away from God, worshiped idols, and practiced sinful behaviors. In this particular passage, Ezekiel is addressing the elders of Israel who have come to inquire of the Lord.

The Israelites were living in a foreign land, far from their homeland, and they were facing various challenges. Despite their sinful ways, they still approached the prophet for guidance and sought the Lord’s favor.

Meaning

The verse begins by describing the condition of the people’s hearts. They had set up idols in their hearts, meaning they had placed other things or desires above God. Idolatry doesn’t necessarily involve physical statues but rather an attitude of the heart that places something or someone as more important than God. This idolatry hindered their relationship with God.

The people not only had idols in their hearts but also put stumbling blocks of iniquity before their faces. These stumbling blocks refer to the sins they engaged in, which became obstacles or barriers to their relationship with God. They were actively participating in sinful behaviors, which hindered their ability to approach God.

In this verse, God questions whether He should be inquired of by these people. He raises a rhetorical question to emphasize the seriousness of their idolatry and sin. Despite their outward show of seeking the Lord’s guidance, their hearts were far from Him. God, being holy and just, cannot ignore or tolerate sin. He desires a genuine relationship with His people, based on true repentance and a turning away from sin.

Biblical connections

The following verse, Ezekiel 14:4, reinforces this by stating that God will answer such a person according to the multitude of his idols, implying a judgment that matches their sin. This connection underscores that God will not honor the inquiries of those who harbor unrepentant idolatry.

Application

This passage reminds us of the importance of examining our hearts and motives before seeking God. It’s not enough to go through the motions of seeking Him while harboring idols in our hearts or engaging in sinful behaviors. God desires true repentance, a turning away from sin, and a sincere desire to follow Him. We should be willing to remove any stumbling blocks that hinder our relationship with God and wholeheartedly seek Him.

Reflection

True seeking of God requires a heart turned from idols; external religiosity is worthless if the heart is devoted to something else. This verse warns that persistent idolatry leads to a point where God may refuse to be consulted, a sobering reality of divine holiness. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts for hidden idols—anything that competes with God’s rightful place—and to repent, removing the stumbling blocks that hinder their relationship with Him.