Ezekiel 7:11
Their violence has grown into a rod to punish their wickedness. None of them will remain: none of their multitude, none of their wealth, and nothing of value.
Violence has grown
The Hebrew word for "violence" is "חָמָס" (chamas), which conveys a sense of injustice, cruelty, and oppression. In the context of Ezekiel, this term reflects the moral decay and rampant sinfulness of the people. The phrase "has grown" suggests an escalation or intensification, indicating that violence has become pervasive and deeply rooted in society. This growth of violence is a direct consequence of turning away from God's commandments and embracing wickedness.

into a rod of wickedness
The "rod" symbolizes authority, discipline, or punishment. In this context, it represents the instrument of God's judgment. The "rod of wickedness" implies that the very violence and sinfulness of the people have become the means by which they will be judged. The Hebrew word for "wickedness" is "רֶשַׁע" (resha), denoting moral wrongness and guilt. This phrase underscores the idea that the people's own actions have brought about their downfall, as their wickedness has matured into a tool of divine retribution.

None of them will remain
This phrase emphasizes the totality of the impending judgment. The Hebrew word "אֵין" (ein) means "none" or "nothing," highlighting the complete and utter destruction that is to come. The phrase serves as a stark warning that no one will escape the consequences of their actions. It reflects the seriousness of God's judgment and the certainty of its fulfillment.

none of their multitude
The term "multitude" refers to the large number of people, possibly indicating the population of Jerusalem or the nation of Israel as a whole. The Hebrew word "הָמוֹן" (hamon) can also imply a noisy crowd or tumult, suggesting the chaos and disorder that accompany a society steeped in sin. This phrase reinforces the idea that the judgment will be comprehensive, affecting all segments of the population.

none of their wealth
Wealth, in this context, represents material possessions and economic prosperity. The Hebrew word "הוֹן" (hon) signifies riches or substance. This phrase indicates that not only will the people themselves be judged, but their material wealth will also be stripped away. It serves as a reminder that earthly riches cannot save one from divine judgment and that true security is found only in obedience to God.

and nothing of value
The phrase "nothing of value" underscores the totality of the loss. The Hebrew word "יָקָר" (yaqar) means precious or valuable. This indicates that everything the people hold dear, everything they consider important or worthy, will be taken from them. It is a sobering reminder of the futility of placing trust in temporal things rather than in the eternal God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the mouthpiece of God, delivering messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.

2. Israel
The nation to whom Ezekiel is prophesying, specifically the people of Judah who are facing imminent judgment due to their persistent sin and rebellion against God.

3. Babylonian Exile
The historical context of Ezekiel's prophecies, where the Israelites are experiencing the consequences of their disobedience through captivity and destruction.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Sin, particularly violence and wickedness, leads to destruction and judgment. We must be vigilant in our personal lives to avoid the paths that lead to such outcomes.

The Futility of Earthly Wealth
Material possessions and wealth cannot save us from God's judgment. Our focus should be on spiritual riches and treasures in heaven.

God’s Sovereignty in Judgment
God is just and sovereign, and His judgments are righteous. We must trust in His timing and justice, even when it seems delayed.

Repentance and Restoration
While judgment is certain for unrepentant sin, God always offers a path to restoration for those who turn back to Him with sincere hearts.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Ezekiel serve as God’s messengers, calling people back to righteousness. We should heed the warnings and teachings found in Scripture.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the increase of violence in Ezekiel's time compare to the world today, and what can we learn from this comparison?

2. In what ways do we see the futility of wealth in our own lives, and how can we shift our focus to spiritual treasures?

3. How can we apply the concept of God’s sovereignty in judgment to our understanding of current world events?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living lives of repentance and seeking restoration with God?

5. How can we be modern-day prophets, sharing God’s truth and calling others to righteousness in our communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 6:11-13
The increase of violence in the days of Noah parallels the situation in Ezekiel's time, where violence and corruption lead to divine judgment.

Isaiah 5:7
Isaiah also speaks of God’s disappointment with Israel, expecting justice but finding bloodshed, similar to the "rod of wickedness" in Ezekiel.

Proverbs 11:4
This verse highlights that wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, echoing Ezekiel's message that none of their wealth will remain.

Matthew 24:12
Jesus speaks of the increase of wickedness in the last days, which can be seen as a continuation of the themes found in Ezekiel.
The Hand of the Dock on the Hour of DoomJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 7:1-15
Aspects of the Execution of the Divine JudgmentsW. Jones Ezekiel 7:5-11
People
Ezekiel
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abundance, Anything, Behaviour, Crowd, Eminency, Eminent, Evil, Grown, Lifted, Magnificence, Midst, Multitude, Noise, None, Nothing, Nought, Preeminence, Punish, Risen, Rod, Slow, Theirs, Their's, Tumult, Turmoil, Value, Violence, Violent, Wailing, Wealth, Wickedness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 7:11-14

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Library
Motives to Holy Mourning
Let me exhort Christians to holy mourning. I now persuade to such a mourning as will prepare the soul for blessedness. Oh that our hearts were spiritual limbecs, distilling the water of holy tears! Christ's doves weep. They that escape shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity' (Ezekiel 7:16). There are several divine motives to holy mourning: 1 Tears cannot be put to a better use. If you weep for outward losses, you lose your tears. It is like a shower
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Healing a Demoniac in a Synagogue.
(at Capernaum.) ^B Mark I. 21-28; ^C Luke . IV. 31-37. ^b 21 And they [Jesus and the four fishermen whom he called] go into { ^c he came down to} Capernaum, a city of Galilee. [Luke has just spoken of Nazareth, and he uses the expression "down to Capernaum" because the latter was on the lake shore while Nazareth was up in the mountains.] And ^b straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. { ^c was teaching them} ^b 22 And they were astonished at his teaching: for he taught
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
[Sidenote: Role of the sages in Israel's life] In the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xviii. 18; Ezek. vii. 26) three distinct classes of religious teachers were recognized by the people: the prophets, the priests, and the wise men or sages. From their lips and pens have come practically all the writings of the Old Testament. Of these three classes the wise men or sages are far less prominent or well known. They wrote no history of Israel, they preached no public sermons, nor do they appear
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

There is a Blessedness in Reversion
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Having done with the occasion, I come now to the sermon itself. Blessed are the poor in spirit'. Christ does not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whose lips dropped as the honeycomb') begins with promises and blessings. So sweet and ravishing was the doctrine of this
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

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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