Connect Ezekiel 20:1 with other instances of Israel seeking prophetic counsel. When the Elders Came to Ezekiel • Ezekiel 20:1: “In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down before me.” • The setting is exile in Babylon (592 BC). Outwardly, the leaders appear humble, but the verses that follow (vv. 3-4) reveal that their hearts are still rebellious. God graciously allows the meeting yet immediately probes their motives. Earlier Moments of Prophetic Inquiry The scene in Ezekiel 20 is part of a long-running pattern. Israel repeatedly approached prophets to “inquire of the LORD,” but the spiritual quality of those inquiries varied greatly. • Exodus 18:15-16 – Moses explains that the people “come to me to seek God’s will.” • Judges 20:18, 27 – After civil strife, Israel “went up and inquired of God” at Bethel. • 1 Samuel 9:9 – “Formerly in Israel, if a man went to inquire of God, he would say, ‘Come, let us go to the seer.’” These early examples set a precedent: leaders looked to a prophet to receive direct guidance from the Lord. Similar Scenes during the Divided Kingdom • 1 Kings 22:5-8 – Jehoshaphat tells Ahab, “Is there not also a prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” Ahab grudgingly summons Micaiah, revealing a heart resistant to unwelcome truth. • 2 Kings 22:13 – Josiah commands, “Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah.” Josiah’s tender heart contrasts sharply with Ahab’s cynicism. • 2 Kings 19:1-4 – Under siege, Hezekiah sends officials to Isaiah: “Perhaps the LORD your God will hear.” Genuine humility opens the way for deliverance. Counsel Sought in the Prophetic Books • Jeremiah 21:1-2 – Zedekiah sends Pashhur and Zephaniah: “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf.” God answers, but the king refuses to repent. • Ezekiel 14:1-3 – “Some of the elders of Israel came and sat down before me… These men have set up idols in their hearts.” The outward act of inquiry is again undercut by concealed idolatry. • Hosea 4:12 – “My people consult their wooden idol.” When true prophetic counsel is spurned, counterfeit sources rush in. Counsel Sought after the Exile • Zechariah 7:2-3 – Delegates are sent “to entreat the favor of the LORD” about fasting, yet God exposes their self-centered motives. Contrasting Sincere vs. Superficial Inquiry Sincere • Motivated by repentance (2 Kings 22:19). • Willing to obey whatever God says (1 Samuel 3:10). • Results in blessing and guidance (2 Kings 19:20-21). Superficial • Driven by crisis management, not covenant love (Jeremiah 42:20-21). • Laced with hidden idolatry (Ezekiel 14:3). • Leads to divine rebuke and judgment (Ezekiel 20:3-4). Key Takeaways for Today • God welcomes inquiry but demands inward integrity—His Word must be sought with clean hands and a yielded heart. • Scripture presents a sober warning: religious formalities cannot mask rebellion. • The episodes show God’s consistent character—patient, truthful, and determined to draw His people into wholehearted obedience. |
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