7:10,11In chapter 7, Ezekie! predicts the complete destruction of Israel. The wicked and proud will finally get what they deserve. If it seems as though God ignores the evil and proud people of our day, be assured that a day of judgment will come, just as it came for the people of Israel. God is waiting patiently for sinners to repent (see 2 Peter 3:9), but when his judgment comes, “none of these proud and wicked people will survive.” What you decide about God now will determine your fate then.
Life Application Study BibleEzekielChapter 7
Ezekiel 7
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1315, 1316, 1317
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
7Ezekiel 7
The Coming of the End
1Then this message came to me from the LORD:
2“Son of man, this is what the SovereignLORD says to Israel:“The end is here!Wherever you look—east, west, north, or south—your land is finished.
3No hope remains,for I will unleash my anger against you.I will call you to accountfor all your detestable sins.
4J will turn my eyes away and show no pity.I will repay you for all your detestable sins.Then you will know that I am the LORD.
5“This is what the Sovereign LORD says:Disaster after disasteris coming your way!
6The end has come.It has finally arrived.Your final doom is waiting!
7O people of Israel, the day of your destruction is dawning.The time has come; the day of trouble is near.Shouts of anguish will be heard on the mountains,not shouts of joy.
8Soon I will pour out my fury on you and unleash my anger against you. I will call you to account for all your detestable sins. 9T will turn my eyes away and show no pity. I will repay you for all your detestable sins. Then you will know that it is I, the LORD, who is striking the blow.
10“The day of judgment is here;your destruction awaits!The people’s wickedness and pridehave blossomed to full flower.
11Their violence has grown into a rodthat will beat them for their wickedness.None of these proud and wicked people will survive.All their wealth and prestige will be swept away.
12Yes, the time has come;the day is here!Buyers should not rejoice over bargains,nor sellers grieve over losses,for all of them will fallunder my terrible anger.
13Even if the merchants survive,they will never return to their business.For what God has said applies to everyone—it will not be changed!Not one person whose life is twisted by sinwill ever recover.The Desolation of israel
14“The trumpet calls Israel’s army to mobilize,but no one listens,for my fury is against them all.
15There is war outside the cityand disease and famine within.Those outside the city wallswill be killed by enemy swords.Those inside the citywill die of famine and disease.
16The survivors who escape to the mountainswill moan like doves, weeping for their sins.
17Their hands will hang limp,their knees will be weak as water.
18They will dress themselves in burlap;horror and shame will cover them.They will shave their headsin sorrow and remorse.
19“They will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. a
Their silver and gold won't save themon that day of the LORD’s anger.It will neither satisfy nor feed them,for their greed can only trip them up.
20They were proud of their beautiful jewelryand used it to make detestable idols and vile images.Therefore, I will make all their wealthdisgusting to them.
21I will give it as plunder to foreigners,to the most wicked of nations,and they will defile it.
22I will turn my eyes from themas these robbers invade and defile my treasured land.
23“Prepare chains for my people,for the land is bloodied by terrible crimes.Jerusalem is filled with violence.
24I will bring the most ruthless of nationsto occupy their homes.I will break down their proud fortressesand defile their sanctuaries.
25Terror and trembling will overcome my people.They will look for peace but not find it.
26Calamity will follow calamity;rumor will follow rumor.They will look in vainfor a vision from the prophets.They will receive no teaching from the priestsand no counsel from the leaders.
27The king and the prince will stand helpless,weeping in despair,and the people’s handswill tremble with fear.I will bring on themthe evil they have done to others,and they will receive the punishmentthey so richly deserve.Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
Life Application Notes 4 notes
7:12,13The nation of Israel trusted in its prosperity and possessions instead of in God. So God planned to destroy the basis of its prosperity. Whenever we begin to trust in jobs, the economy, a political system, or military might for our security, we put God in the backseat.
7:19God's people had allowed their love of money to lead them into sin. For this, God would destroy them. Money has a strange power to lead people into sin. Paul said that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). It is ironic that We use a gift of God—money—to buy things that separate us from him. it is tragic that we spend so much money seeking to Satisfy ourselves and so little time seeking God, the true source “of satisfaction.
7:20God gave the people silver and gold, but they used that silver and gold to make idols. The resources God gives us should be used to do his work and carry out his will, but too often we Use them to satisfy our own desires. When we abuse God's gifts Or use resources selfishly, we miss the real purpose God had in Nind. This is as shortsighted as idolatry.