◄ Ezekiel 11:18 ►
When they return to it, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations.
Study Bible
When they return to it
This phrase refers to the Israelites returning to their homeland after a period of exile. The Hebrew root for "return" is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which conveys not only a physical return but also a spiritual turning back to God. Historically, this return is significant as it marks a period of restoration and renewal for the people of Israel. It is a fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back to the land He gave their ancestors, symbolizing hope and divine faithfulness.

they will remove
The act of removal here is deliberate and signifies a conscious decision to cleanse and purify. The Hebrew word "סוּר" (sur) implies a turning away or taking away. This is not just a physical act but a spiritual one, indicating repentance and a desire to rid themselves of anything that separates them from God. It reflects a commitment to holiness and obedience to God's commands.

all its detestable things
The term "detestable things" refers to idols and practices that are abominable in the sight of God. The Hebrew word "שִׁקּוּץ" (shiqquwts) is often used in the context of idolatry and false worship. Archaeological findings have uncovered various idols and artifacts that the Israelites would have encountered, emphasizing the pervasive nature of idolatry in ancient cultures. This removal is a rejection of false gods and a return to exclusive worship of Yahweh.

and all its abominations
"Abominations" is a strong term used to describe practices that are morally and spiritually repugnant. The Hebrew word "תוֹעֵבָה" (toebah) often refers to actions that are offensive to God, such as idolatry, immorality, and injustice. This phrase underscores the seriousness with which God views sin and the necessity for His people to live in accordance with His statutes. The historical context of Israel's exile serves as a backdrop, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God's laws and the need for genuine repentance and transformation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the author of the book and a key figure in delivering God's messages to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The people of God who are in exile due to their disobedience and idolatry. They are the primary audience of Ezekiel's prophecies.

3. Jerusalem
The holy city that has been defiled by idolatry and is the focal point of God's promise of restoration.

4. Detestable Things and Abominations
Refers to the idols and sinful practices that the Israelites adopted, which led to their exile.

5. Return
The event of the Israelites coming back to their land, symbolizing both physical and spiritual restoration.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Renewal
Just as the Israelites were called to remove detestable things, Christians are called to remove sin from their lives to experience spiritual renewal.

Repentance and Restoration
True repentance involves a turning away from sin and a return to God, leading to restoration and blessing.

Holiness and Purity
God desires His people to live in holiness, removing anything that defiles their relationship with Him.

God's Faithfulness
Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His promises, offering hope and restoration.

Community Cleansing
The call to remove abominations is not just individual but communal, emphasizing the importance of a holy community.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are the "detestable things" in your life that God is calling you to remove, and how can you take practical steps to do so?

2. How does the promise of restoration in Ezekiel 11:18 encourage you in your personal walk with God?

3. In what ways can the church today work together to remove "abominations" and promote holiness within the community?

4. How does the theme of repentance in Ezekiel 11:18 connect with the New Testament teachings on repentance and transformation?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life despite your shortcomings. How does this encourage you to pursue holiness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 24:7
This verse speaks of God giving His people a heart to know Him, which aligns with the theme of spiritual renewal in Ezekiel 11:18.

2 Chronicles 7:14
Highlights the call for God's people to humble themselves, pray, and turn from their wicked ways, similar to the removal of detestable things in Ezekiel.

Romans 12:2
Encourages believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, echoing the transformation and renewal in Ezekiel's prophecy.
Sermons
A Suffering People Scorned by Man and Comforted by GodW. Jones Ezekiel 11:14-20
Privilege: Apparent or RealJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 11:14-21
People
Azur, Azzur, Benaiah, Ezekiel, Jaazaniah, Pelatiah
Places
Chaldea, Chebar, Jerusalem
Topics
Abominations, Aside, Detestable, Disgusting, Hated, Idols, Images, Remove, Thence, Thereof, Thither, Vile
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 11:17-20

     8145   renewal, people of God

Ezekiel 11:17-21

     6103   abomination
     7773   prophets, role

Library
A Little Sanctuary
The Lord hears the unkind speeches of the prosperous when they speak bitterly of those who are plunged in adversity. Read the context--"Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the Lord: unto us is this land given in possession." This unbrotherly language moved the Lord to send the prophet Ezekiel with good and profitable words to the children of the captivity. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
Jesus is talking of the death of His friend, let us listen to His words; perhaps we may find the key to His actions in the words of His lips. How surprising! He does not say, "I regret that I have tarried so long." He does not say, "I ought to have hastened, but even now it is not too late." Hear, and marvel! Wonder of wonders, He says, "I am glad that I was not there." Glad! the word is out of place? Lazarus, by this time, stinketh in his tomb,and here is the Saviour glad! Martha and Mary are weeping …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified."--John vii. 39. We have come to the most difficult part in the discussion of the work of the Holy Spirit, viz., the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the tenth day after the ascension. In the treatment of this subject it is not our aim to create a new interest in the celebration of Pentecost. We consider this almost impossible. Man's nature is too unspiritual for this. But we shall reverently endeavor to give a clearer insight …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, to urge the performance …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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

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