Ezekiel 22:2

Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.

Ezekiel 22:2 (KJV)

Context

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. The prophet Ezekiel was called by God to be a watchman over the people of Israel, and the book contains prophecies, visions, and messages from God concerning judgment, restoration, and the future of Israel. This verse is part of a larger prophecy delivered during the Babylonian exile, when Jerusalem was under siege and facing destruction. The people had turned away from God, engaging in idolatry, violence, and immorality.

Meaning

The term “son of man” is a title Ezekiel often used for himself. It emphasizes his humanity and his role as a representative of the people before God. In this verse, God addresses Ezekiel as the “son of man” and asks, “wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city?” The repetition of “wilt thou judge” denotes the vehemency of the expression. It can be understood as a call for Ezekiel to do his prophetic office, to rebuke and reprove, or as a rhetorical question asking whether he would plead for or excuse such a city—surely not.

The “bloody city” refers to Jerusalem, which had become corrupt and filled with violence and bloodshed, including the blood of prophets sent to her. God commissions Ezekiel to “shew her all her abominations,” meaning to confront and expose the city’s wickedness in detail. This is not a personal judgment by Ezekiel but a declaration of God’s judgment through His prophet. The purpose was to bring their sins to light, convict them of their wrongdoing, and call them to repentance.

Biblical connections

The term “son of man” also points forward to Jesus Christ, who often referred to Himself as the “Son of Man” in the New Testament, though this connection should be noted carefully as a typological link rather than a direct equation.

Application

Although this verse is specifically addressed to Ezekiel regarding the city of Jerusalem, there are several applications we can draw from it:

• Call to judge: We, as followers of God, are called to discern and judge between right and wrong. This does not mean passing judgment in a condemning or self-righteous way, but rather having a discerning spirit based on God’s truth.

• Confronting sin: Just as Ezekiel was called to expose the sins of Jerusalem, we are called to confront sin in our lives and in the world around us. This requires speaking the truth in love, pointing out areas of darkness, and encouraging repentance.

• Proclaiming truth: God called Ezekiel to proclaim the truth about the people’s abominations. Similarly, we are called to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and God’s Word, even when it may be uncomfortable or unpopular.

• Repentance: The purpose of exposing sin is to lead people to repentance. We should have a heart for the restoration and reconciliation of those who have strayed from God’s ways, seeking to lead them back to Him.