"Son of man," He said to me, "do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, 'The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.'" “Son of man,” He said to me,The term "Son of man" is a title used frequently in the book of Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity and his role as a representative of the people. It underscores the contrast between the divine and human, highlighting Ezekiel's position as a mediator between God and Israel. This title is also significant in the New Testament, where it is used by Jesus to refer to Himself, emphasizing His role as the Messiah and His identification with humanity. “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness,
The elders of Israel were leaders and representatives of the people, expected to guide them in righteousness. Their actions in the darkness symbolize secrecy and sin, as darkness often represents evil and concealment in biblical literature. This imagery is reminiscent of John 3:19-20, where people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. The elders' behavior reflects a deep spiritual corruption and a turning away from God. each at the shrine of his own idol?
Idolatry was a persistent issue for Israel, directly violating the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3-4). The mention of "his own idol" suggests a personal and pervasive idolatry, indicating that each elder had turned to false gods, abandoning the worship of Yahweh. This individual idolatry highlights the extent of Israel's apostasy and mirrors the broader cultural and religious syncretism of the ancient Near East, where multiple deities were often worshiped. For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us;
This statement reveals a profound theological misunderstanding and a lack of faith in God's omniscience. It echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 94:7, where the wicked believe that God does not see or care about their actions. This belief reflects a spiritual blindness and a denial of God's presence and power, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature. the LORD has forsaken the land.’”
The perception that the LORD has forsaken the land indicates a crisis of faith and a misunderstanding of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. While the people may feel abandoned, the prophetic message often clarifies that it is their sin that has led to separation from God. This sentiment is addressed in passages like Isaiah 59:1-2, where it is explained that iniquities create a barrier between God and His people. The belief that God has forsaken them also foreshadows the coming judgment and exile, yet it is a call to repentance and a reminder of God's enduring faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the recipient of God's visions and messages, tasked with delivering them to the Israelites. 2. Elders of the House of IsraelThese are the leaders and representatives of the Israelite community, who are depicted as engaging in idolatry and secret sins. 3. The Shrine of IdolsThis refers to the hidden places where the elders worship idols, symbolizing their spiritual infidelity and rebellion against God. 4. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who sees and knows all, despite the elders' belief that He does not see their actions. 5. The DarknessSymbolic of secrecy and sin, representing the hidden and corrupt practices of the elders. Teaching Points God Sees AllDespite human attempts to hide sin, God is omniscient and aware of all actions and thoughts. This should encourage believers to live transparently before Him. The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can be anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. Believers must examine their lives for modern-day idols. The Deception of SinSin often leads individuals to believe they can hide from God or that He is indifferent. This is a dangerous deception that leads to spiritual decay. Accountability in LeadershipThe elders' actions remind us that leaders are held to a high standard and must lead with integrity and faithfulness to God. Repentance and RestorationEven when we fall into sin, God offers a path to repentance and restoration. Believers should seek His forgiveness and turn back to Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the belief that "The LORD does not see us" affect the behavior of the elders, and how can this mindset be present in our lives today? 2. In what ways can modern-day Christians fall into the trap of idolatry, and how can we guard against it? 3. How does understanding God's omnipresence and omniscience impact your daily walk with Him? 4. What steps can you take to ensure that your actions align with God's will, even when no one else is watching? 5. How can the church hold its leaders accountable to prevent the kind of spiritual corruption seen in Ezekiel 8:12? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 139This passage emphasizes God's omnipresence and omniscience, countering the elders' belief that God does not see their actions. Jeremiah 23:24Reinforces the idea that no one can hide from God, as He fills heaven and earth. Romans 1:21-23Describes the folly of idolatry and the darkening of hearts when people turn away from God. People Ezekiel, Jaazaniah, ShaphanPlaces JerusalemTopics Ancients, Carved, Chambers, Committing, Dark, Darkness, Doesn't, Elders, Forsaken, Hast, Idol, Imagery, Images, Inner, Pictured, Pictures, Responsible, Room, Saying, Seeing, ShrineDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 8:12 5812 concealment
7442 shrine Ezekiel 8:5-18 6103 abomination Ezekiel 8:9-12 5211 art Ezekiel 8:9-16 8831 syncretism Ezekiel 8:11-13 5183 smell Ezekiel 8:12-13 1210 God, human descriptions Ezekiel 8:12-16 7471 temples, heathen Library Chambers of Imagery
'Then said He unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery!'--EZEKIEL viii. 12. This is part of a vision which came to the prophet in his captivity. He is carried away in imagination from his home amongst the exiles in the East to the Temple of Jerusalem. There he sees in one dreadful series representations of all the forms of idolatry to which the handful that were left in the land were cleaving. There meets …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Message from the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapters ii and iii) "The glory of love is brightest when the glory of self is dim, And they have the most compelled me who most have pointed to Him. They have held me, stirred me, swayed me,--I have hung on their every word, Till I fain would arise and follow, not them, not them,--but their Lord!"[64] Patmos Spells Patience. Patience is strength at its strongest, using all its strength in holding back from doing something. Patience is love at flood pleading with strength to hold steady …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
The stay in Cana, though we have no means of determining its length, was probably of only short duration. Perhaps the Sabbath of the same week already found Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth. We will not seek irreverently to lift the veil of sacred silence, which here, as elsewhere, the Gospel-narratives have laid over the Sanctuary of His inner Life. That silence is itself theopneustic, of Divine breathing and inspiration; it is more eloquent than any eloquence, a guarantee of the truthfulness …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and Connivance, Between Fervour and Gentleness.
It should be known too that the vices of subjects ought sometimes to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at; that things, even though openly known, ought sometimes to be seasonably tolerated, but sometimes, though hidden, be closely investigated; that they ought sometimes to be gently reproved, but sometimes vehemently censured. For, indeed, some things, as we have said, ought to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at, so that, when the …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezekiel 8:12 NIVEzekiel 8:12 NLTEzekiel 8:12 ESVEzekiel 8:12 NASBEzekiel 8:12 KJV
Ezekiel 8:12 Commentaries
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