Ezekiel 20:31

For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you.

Ezekiel 20:31 (KJV)

Context

Ezekiel 20:31 stands within a larger prophetic indictment in which the elders of Israel come to inquire of the Lord through Ezekiel. God, however, confronts them with their persistent idolatry. The people had been exiled to Babylon because of their long history of disobedience, yet even in exile they continued the practices that had brought judgment upon them.

Meaning

The verse names two specific sins: offering gifts and making sons pass through the fire. The second phrase refers to child sacrifice, a practice associated with the worship of the Canaanite god Molech. Though the Law of Moses strictly forbade such offerings, the Israelites had adopted them from surrounding nations. By these acts, they polluted themselves with their idols, and this defilement continued “even unto this day.“

The rhetorical question “shall I be enquired of by you?” emphasizes the absurdity of seeking God’s guidance while persisting in abominable practices. God answers with an oath sworn by His own life: “As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you.” Persistent, unrepentant sin creates a barrier between humanity and God, so that even the ritual act of offering gifts becomes meaningless and offensive when accompanied by ongoing transgression.

Biblical connections

This passage reveals God’s holiness and His intolerance for syncretism—the mixing of devotion to Him with devotion to idols. Throughout Ezekiel 20, God recounts Israel’s repeated rebellion and His own faithfulness, showing that their exile was a direct consequence of covenant violation. The principle that unrepentant sin hinders fellowship with God appears throughout Scripture, calling readers to examine their own hearts.

Application

For the Christian, this verse warns against attempting to maintain a form of worship while harboring sin. An idol is anything that takes God’s rightful place in the heart, whether a physical image, a relationship, wealth, or self-will. The proper response to God’s holiness is genuine repentance—turning away from sin and returning to Him. God’s refusal to be inquired of by the Israelites serves as a sobering reminder that His grace is not to be presumed upon.

Reflection

Consider whether any practice or priority has become an idol in your life. The Israelites’ gifts were worthless because their hearts were divided. God desires worship that flows from a pure heart, and He promises to be found by those who seek Him in truth. Let this passage prompt self-examination and a renewed commitment to faithfulness.