The leaders "have set up their idols in their hearts" (3:20; 7:19; 44:12; Jer 44:16-18; Zeph 1:3; 1Pe 2:8; Rev 2:14) -- When we hear the word idol, we often think of a statue of a person or animal that is the focus of worship, but remember that an idol is ANYTHING that takes the place of God.

What's the main focus of your life? The answer may surprise you. As Joanie Yoder writes in Our Daily Bread "I read about a woman who kept her car in showroom condition. One night her garage caught on fire, and her neighbors had to restrain her from rushing into the flames to rescue her car. As it exploded, she realized that she had nearly sacrificed her life for that car. It had become an idol. An even more subtle form of idolatry is the reliance on our church activities to maintain a reputation for being spiritual. Or consider the man who keeps adding "one more gadget" to an already over-equipped home. If anything other than God becomes our primary focus in life, it is an idol." (Click following for more from Our Daily Bread on idolatry #1 Jesus as an idol, #2 TV as an Idol, #3 Golf as an idol)

God had earlier spoken of the effect Israel's idolatry saying "...how I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me, and by their eyes, which played the harlot after their idols..." (Ezek 6:9) emphasizing that "their heart continually went after their idols." (Ezek 20:16). God decreed that "for those whose hearts go after their detestable things and abominations, (He would) bring their conduct down on their heads" (Ezek 11:21) Yet even in the face of His decree of certain judgment, God prophesied of a coming day when He would "sprinkle clean water on (Israel), and (Israel would) be clean" and He would "cleanse (her) from all (her)  filthiness and from all (her) idols." adding that He would " give (her) a  new heart and put a new spirit within (her); and...remove the heart of stone from (her) flesh and give (her) a heart of flesh." (Ez 36:25-26)

Henry Morris comments in the Defender's Study Bible that "The elders of Israel in Babylon no longer had actual images to worship, but kept these "idols in their heart," still thinking they could somehow get back to Jerusalem, ignoring God's instructions."

Believer's Study Bible adds that "The sin of the inquirers who came to Ezekiel was not open idolatry, but the setting up of "idols in their hearts." They were influenced by pagan thoughts and practices, and no longer gave primary allegiance to Yahweh."

The elders had "put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity" (all 14 uses of mikshowl, "stumbling block" in the OT: Lv19:14, 1Sa25:31, Ps119:165, Is8:14,57:14, Je6:21, 8 uses in Ezekiel) Although the idolatry in Jerusalem was blatant and openly displayed (as dramatically demonstrated in Ezekiel 8), the idolatry among the exiles in Babylon was more subtle because the "altar" was internal rather than external. A stumbling block is something that would trip someone up and cause them to fall. Here their idolatry is like an obstacle or stumbling block which would cause the people to fall, the fall in this case referring to the defeat and destruction of Jerusalem. In Ezekiel is seen as the major cause of the "fall" of God's people. In Ezekiel 7:19 their silver and gold were the "idol" over which Israel had stumbled into sin.

Jesus speaking to the church at Pergamum warned "I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality." (Rev2:14) The idea of a stumbling block is that which produces a snare or trap. The sin of idolatry may "look good" and therefore deceptively and successfully lure and entrap its victim but the end result is moral devastation and death, even physical death.

The psalmist gives one of the best "shields" against stumbling blocks writing "Those who love Thy law have great peace and nothing cause them to stumble" (Ps119:165)

Internal idolatry is still idolatry and is still visible to the omniscient eyes of God "for the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His..." (1Chr 16:9)

"Should I be consulted by them at all?" (2 Ki3:13; Ps66:18; 101:3; Pr15:8,29; 21:27; 28:9; Is1:15; 33:15; Jer7:8-11; 11:11; 42:20,21; Zec7:13; Lu20:8) The implied answer is "no". God asks a similar question in Jeremiah: "Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal, and walk after other gods that you have not known, then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—that you may do all these abominations?"  (Jer7:9-10)

"I the LORD will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols" (7; 1 Ki21:20-25; 2Ki1:16; Isa3:11; 66:4) These hypocritical elders came to inquire of the true God even though they had another ”god“ in their heart. Because of their divided hearts, they would receive no verbal answer, but would be answered directly by Jehovah Himself in the form of judgment. The Bible Knowledge Commentary adds that "God was not obligated to answer them when they refused to acknowledge His sovereignty. So instead of giving these elders the information they desired, God instructed Ezekiel to give them the information they needed—God’s attitude toward their idolatry."

"In view of the multitude of his idols" - "in keeping with his great idolatry" (NIV), "according to the multitude of his idols" (NKJV). The Greek Septuagint translates the Hebrew "according to the things in which his mind is entangled (translating the Greek verb enecho which in the passive voice means to "let oneself be entangled in", in this case entangled in idolatry)." This reminds one of David's declaration in Psalm 101 where he says that "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip (Hebrew = stick like glue) on me." (Ps101:3) Idols are like the proverbial "tar baby" and you can't "touch" them without becoming stuck to them, at least to some degree. Do you have any "tar babies" in your heart?

The Lord would call Israel to account for their idolatry, for He cannot tolerate a divided heart. But He would do so with the purpose of laying hold of (capture, recapture, bring back to their senses, turn aside) their alienated, adulterous hearts (9,10; Ho10:2; Zech7:11-14; 2Th 2:9-11).  The idea therefore may be that by bringing them into judgment, some of those in the house of Israel might come to their senses (see NAB translation above) and be convinced by their own smitten consciences when they see the death and destruction their idolatry has reaped. There is a similar idea in 2 Timothy where God's bondservant speak (although here is called to speak gently) to "those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." (2Ti2:25-26)

Israel is "estranged from" zur (the basic meaning is to turn aside but in some other contexts this Hebrew verb zur is translated "commit adultery"!) (Dt 32:15,16; Is1:4:; Jer2:5,11-13,31,32; Zech11:8; Ro1:28,30; Gal6:7; Eph4:18; Col1:21) Idolatry estranges and alienates men from the living God. Israel was called to be the "wife" (cf Isa54:5, Jer 2:2, 31:32) of God and so has committed "spiritual adultery" by seeking other so-called gods. To be estranged implies the development of enmity, indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement between the parties in which there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness. To be alienated is similar and means to be made unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent where attachment formerly existed. The Greek translation (Septuagint) uses an interesting Greek word to translate the last portion of this verse, describing Israel as "estranged from Me in their thoughts" instead of "through all their idols". Idolatry is not a passive process but does influence our thinking for as a man thinks in his heart (where he has set up his idols) so he is. (cf Pr23:7)

Earlier Ezekiel had recorded God's reaction to Israel's sin writing that those Jews "who escape will remember Me among the nations to which they will be carried captive, how I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts which turned away from (same Hebrew word zur translated estranged) Me, and by their eyes, which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed, for all their abominations (see discussion of genuine repentance under next verse)." (Ezek6:9)

Paul speaks to the root cause of this estrangement and alienation in Romans writing that "even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures" (Ro1:21-23) adding that "the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so." (Ro8:7)

In Romans Paul addressing the Jews (and "religious" people in general) in chapter 2 asks "do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Ro2:4) This is a mystery of grace to me - God calls them to repent and yet it is God Who grants repentance.

Perhaps, as you are reading about Israel's duplicity and secret sin of idolatry, you are convicted and realize that the Holy Spirit is speaking to some idol in your heart, one that you have held fast to for months or even years. If so the pattern of "repent and return" is your way back to God. In Acts Peter is speaking to the unbelieving Jews and calls them to "Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that He may send Jesus, the Messiah appointed for you." (Acts 3:19-20). Perhaps you too need to repent for the first time and be saved. Or perhaps you are a believer and you have slowly drifted away from the fervency of your first love for Jesus. Click "The Way Back Home" for an excellent small booklet from Radio Bible Class that addresses this issue in more detail.

Shub indicates a distinct reversal or change of direction, as when "the water receded ("repented" or reversed its direction) steadily from the earth" after the worldwide flood. (Ge 8:3). The repentant person is to have a change of mind about their former sinful ways, to reject past conduct and turn in obedience to the Lord. In other words, genuine repentance is manifest not with just words but with actions. As Paul wrote "the sorrow (because of the sin) that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world (remorse because of the consequences) produces death." (2Cor7:10) When we feel sorry for doing wrong or for getting caught, it is nothing more than a "spiritual cosmetic'. But true repentance occurs deep in our hearts and results in a visible difference in our actions.  Repentance means hating sin enough to turn from it.  The change of mind that is the heart of repentance should become a pattern of thinking--a lifestyle. Genuine repentance has at least four facets -- "comprehension of wrong done, cleansing sought with earnest grief (a "soft face and soft heart"), desire for the presence of God, and changed action." (Ryken, L, et al, Dictionary of biblical imagery: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)

In Hosea we read the call to "Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips." (Ho14:1-2)

God says "I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live." (Ezek18:32)

In Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple he prayed for Israel asking that "When they sin against Thee (for there is no man who does not sin) and Thou art angry with them and dost deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near (which is where Ezekiel and the elders were) if they take thought in the land where they have been taken captive (God's reply to the elders was to "lay hold of their hearts" that they might come to their senses) and repent and make supplication to Thee in the land of those who have taken them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have committed iniquity, we have acted wickedly', if they return to Thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and pray to Thee toward their land which Thou hast given to their fathers, the city which Thou hast chosen (Jerusalem), and the house which I have built for Thy name (God's Temple) then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven Thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause, and forgive Thy people who have sinned against Thee and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against Thee, and make them objects of compassion before those who have taken them captive, that they may have compassion on them" (1Ki8:46-50)

"Turn away from your idols" (8:16; 16:63; 36:31,32; 2 Chr29:6; Is2:20; 30:22; Jer13:27; Zeph3:11; Ro6:21) True repentance turns from the wrong and returns to the right.

"Separates" (Ho4:14; 9:10; Jude19) is the Hebrew verb nazar which means to separate oneself, consecrate oneself, or act in a manner which shows devotion, loyalty, and respect toward an object, entity, or event. In this case the description is one who turns away from God and devotes himself or herself to idols. This is the same verb found in the Nazarite vow where the one who separates himself was to "abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh or dried grapes." (Nu6:3) How tragic that those who should have "separated" themselves from the profane and unto God, chose to pursue a path in direct opposition to God. For example in Hosea God says "I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season. But they came to Baal-peor and devoted (nazar - separated) themselves to shame, and they became as detestable as that which they loved."  (Hos9:10)

God had made it quite clear what Israel was to separate themselves from the profane. In Leviticus we read "Do not render yourselves detestable through any of the swarming things that swarm; and you shall not make yourselves unclean with them so that you become unclean. For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. For I am the LORD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; thus you shall be holy for I am holy.'" (Click for booklet "Why Would Anyone Want to be Holy?) (Lev11:43-45)

Isaiah writing to Israel declares that "your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." (Isa59:2) God did not initiate the separation from Israel...they sin which resulted in separation from Him. If you feel "separated" from God, James gives the "antidote"  writing that God "gives a greater grace" which calls for one to "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." (Ja4:7-10)

Lest we as New Testament saints be to critical of the Jews, we need to remember that "these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved. And do not be idolaters as some of them were...these things (death) happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1Cor 10:6-7, 11-12)

"Comes to the prophet to inquire of Me" (33:30-32; 2Ki8:8-15; Is8:1,2; Jer21:1,2; 37:1-3,9,10,17; Je38:14-23)

A proverb is a pithy maxim or a saying which communicates wisdom usually in a terse, vivid and easy to remember manner. Unger adds that "In the early stages of social intellectual growth, when men begin to observe and generalize on the facts of human life, they clothe the results of observation in the form of short and pithy sentences. Every race not in savage condition has proverbs of this kind. The Hebrew word rendered “proverb” has a special significance. The proverb of the Israelites and other people of the East was primarily and essentially a “similitude.” It was thus a condensed parable or fable, capable at any time of being expanded, sometimes presented with the lesson clearly taught, sometimes involved in greater or less obscurity, that its very difficulty might stimulate the desire to know and so impress the lesson more deeply on the mind." (Unger's Bible dictionary. Moody Press)

"Prevailed" (pathah) means to be open, spacious or wide and is figuratively used to describe one who is open to enticement, not having developed discriminating judgment as to what is right or wrong. This word describes one who is easily deceived and is so translated by several of the other versions. God uses this word to warn Israel to "Beware, lest your hearts be deceived and you turn away and serve other gods and worship them." (Dt11:16)

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge has this explanatory note "That is, I have suffered him to be deceived; I have given him up to "strong delusions to believe a lie," as a just judgment upon him for going after idols, and setting up false pretensions to inspiration. God, according to the genius of the Hebrew language, is often said to do a thing, which He only suffers, or permits."

God deceives (entices, persuades) the false prophet only in a qualified sense. The Contemporary English Version is in my opinion too "strong" ("If a prophet gives a false message, I am the one who caused that prophet to lie. But I will still reject him and cut him off from my people.") and if that is the only verse some "seeker" were to read about God, they might walk away with a very distorted, inaccurate picture of God's glorious merciful and just character. 

The point of this section of Ezekiel is that when one willfully rejects God's Word, He places a "cloud" of darkness over them or He permits their spiritual blindness to persist, the effect being to hide the truth with the result that the person is deceived by his own obstinate self-will. Jeremiah reminds us that the human "heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jer17:9) . The Word already given (regarding God's prohibition against idolatry) must be obeyed before further light is sought or else it would be a mockery.

The pattern of divine discipline and recompense is seen again in Ezekiel where God gives over Israel to the evil statutes that they insisted on listening to, all the while spurning His perfect Word (see Ezek 20:24-26). When people refuse the truth, He lets them seek after their own inclinations even giving them over to falsehood (Ezek 20:39). This is the God's righteous wrath of abandonment (giving over) as so powerfully described by Paul in (Ro 1:18–32 ) where on three occasions (Ro 1:24, 26, 28) God gives rebellious men and women over to the power of sin because they chose not to "honor Him as God, or give thanks" (Ro1:21) even though in the "creation...His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made (the creation)" Paul concluding that such thankless rebels "are without excuse." (Ro1:20)

This specific instance in Ezekiel is one of many examples of God in His sovereignty sometimes allowing evil to occur for His own purposes (see this principle in Job's life in Job1:6-12; 2:5-6) 

One of the best Scriptural illustrations of God giving people what they want is found in 1 Kings 22 where the evil King Ahab seeks the advice of false prophets and then hears and rejects the message of God's true prophet and ends up paying for his choice with his life. In this incredible chapter God allows us a "behind the scenes" look at His sovereign control over even lying spirits (demons or fallen angels) who are sent out from His presence to put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of the false prophets who deceived Ahab. (read especially 1Ki22:19-23)

In another Old Testament example, King Saul choose to rebel against God's clear command in 1 Samuel 15 with the result that God tore "the kingdom of Israel" from him (1Sa15:28-29). In this context, in the next chapter  we read that "the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him." (1Sa16:14) God is not the Author of evil but He is Sovereign over all. In this case God allowed His Spirit to depart and sent an evil spirit because of Saul had first chosen to depart from Him. John MacArthur adds that "God, in His sovereignty, allowed an evil spirit to torment Saul (cf.