Deep Stew Part 1 Series

Ezekiel 11: 1 – 25

‘Deep stew’ Part 1

“ 1 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the East Gate of the LORD’s house, which faces eastward; and there at the door of the gate were twenty-five men, among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people. 2 And He said to me: “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel in this city, 3 who say, ‘The time is not near to build houses; this city is the caldron, and we are the meat.’ 4 Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man!”5 Then the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said to me, “Speak! ‘Thus says the LORD: “Thus you have said, O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind. 6 You have multiplied your slain in this city, and you have filled its streets with the slain.” 7 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Your slain whom you have laid in its midst, they are the meat, and this city is the caldron; but I shall bring you out of the midst of it. 8 You have feared the sword; and I will bring a sword upon you,” says the Lord GOD.

Have you ever been in love with someone who walked away from you? If you ever had this experience then you also know how hard it is to accept this rejection. To witness daily the cold words and treatment from this person whom you love seems unbelievable. Our God Is Love! He wants to give us His Love and be loved in return. How hard is that? Yet, as you well know, He extends His Love to His creation and what does He get back? – Rejection, Blasphemy, Avoidance, and Rebellion. How long do you continue to reach out to anyone whose feelings are like these towards you? Sooner or later you accept the fact that you are not wanted and you go your way.

Our Holy God Yahweh for many years petitioned His people Israel to turn from seeking other gods to express their love and return to Him, the ‘Only’ True and Living God. Yet, they would not respond to His endless requests. Sadly, yet surely in stages He has left His House on earth, which bore His Name and Presence. We now will see how He now reluctantly went away from His city Jerusalem for good.

“ 1 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the East Gate of the LORD’s house, which faces eastward; and there at the door of the gate were twenty-five men, among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.”

As the Lord has departed from the Temple, the Holy Spirit has taken Ezekiel in the like manner and moved him to the east gate. Here Ezekiel sees twenty-five men. There is something very familiar here.

In chapter 8 Ezekiel saw 25 corrupt priests in the Temple. Now he sees 25 corrupt civic leaders. How come there are 25 again? Is it just a coincidence? The repetition of a number is significant. Five is the number of covenant. Five squared represents the whole covenant community. Here we see evil public and political leaders of the Jews. Judicial, military, and royal men are in this category.

The twenty-five men included two princes of the people – Jaazaniah and Pelatiah. It is quite astonishing to realize that we have a different Jaazzaniah introduced. The previous Jaazaniah was the son of Shaphen that was mentioned in chapter 8. This guy here with the same name is the son of Azzur. I guess you do not want to name any of your sons with this guy’s name, huh? This is in the same ugly list of names that include Lucifer, Judas, Haman, and Nabal.

These men were probably all young inexperienced men. Most of the mature experienced leaders were taken in the first and second deportations.

1 Timothy 5: 22 reports this, “22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.”

It is not good to lay hands [promote] a novice in the faith to a position of leadership. Pride will get the best of them, then lookout. The same rule also applies to secular leadership in my opinion.

Jeremiah 26: 10.,“10 When the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the house of the LORD and sat down in the entry of the New Gate of the LORD’s house.”

The gate was a place where all jurisdictions took place. The gate was usually a large area. Usually walled in cities become jammed with houses and therefore open space turned out to be at the entrances of the cities.