Ezekiel 8:10
So I went in and looked, and engraved all around the wall was every kind of crawling creature and detestable beast, along with all the idols of the house of Israel.
So I went in and looked
This phrase marks the beginning of a vision where Ezekiel is granted insight into the abominations occurring within the temple. The Hebrew root for "went in" (בּוֹא, bo) implies entering with purpose or intent. Ezekiel's action is not passive; it is a deliberate act of obedience to God's command. The act of "looking" (רָאָה, ra'ah) signifies more than just seeing; it involves perceiving and understanding the spiritual implications of what is revealed. This sets the stage for the revelation of Israel's idolatry, highlighting the importance of spiritual discernment.

and I saw every form of creeping thing
The phrase "every form of creeping thing" (רֶמֶשׂ, remes) refers to creatures that are often considered unclean according to Levitical law (Leviticus 11:20-23). These creatures symbolize impurity and corruption. The presence of such forms within the temple signifies a profound defilement of what should be a holy place. Historically, this reflects the syncretism that had infiltrated Israelite worship, where pagan practices were mixed with the worship of Yahweh.

and detestable beast
The term "detestable" (שֶׁקֶץ, sheqets) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe things that are abominable or repulsive, particularly in a religious sense. The "beast" (בְּהֵמָה, behemah) here likely refers to animals that were worshipped in pagan religions surrounding Israel. This imagery underscores the extent of Israel's spiritual adultery, as they have adopted the worship of creatures rather than the Creator, violating the first commandment (Exodus 20:3).

and all the idols of the house of Israel
The word "idols" (גִּלּוּלִים, gillulim) is often used in a derogatory sense, emphasizing the worthlessness and futility of these objects of worship. The "house of Israel" refers to the collective people of God, who have turned away from their covenant relationship with Yahweh. This phrase highlights the national scale of idolatry, indicating that it was not just isolated individuals but the entire community that was complicit in these practices.

carved all around the walls
The act of carving (חָקַק, chaqaq) suggests a deliberate and permanent defacement of the temple's sanctity. The imagery of these idols being "all around the walls" indicates that idolatry had permeated every aspect of the temple, leaving no space untouched by corruption. This serves as a powerful metaphor for the pervasive nature of sin and the way it can infiltrate and dominate the lives of God's people if left unchecked.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the central figure in this vision, tasked with conveying God's messages to the Israelites.

2. The Temple
The vision takes place in the temple in Jerusalem, a sacred place that has been defiled by idolatry.

3. Idolatry
The event described is a vision of the abominations committed by the Israelites, specifically the worship of idols within the temple.

4. Creeping Things and Detestable Beasts
These represent the various idols and false gods that the Israelites were worshiping, contrary to God's commandments.

5. The House of Israel
Refers to the people of Israel, who have turned away from God and engaged in idolatrous practices.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is a serious sin that leads to spiritual decay. We must guard our hearts against anything that takes the place of God in our lives.

The Holiness of God's Dwelling
The temple was meant to be a holy place. As believers, we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we must strive to keep our lives pure and dedicated to God.

Spiritual Blindness
The Israelites were blind to their sin, justifying their actions. We must regularly examine our lives and seek God's guidance to avoid spiritual blindness.

God's Omniscience
God sees all, including the hidden sins of our hearts. We cannot hide our actions from Him, and we must live transparently before Him.

Repentance and Restoration
Despite the severity of their sin, God offers a path to repentance and restoration. We must be willing to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern forms of idolatry that can creep into a believer's life, and how can we guard against them?

2. How does understanding the holiness of the temple in Ezekiel's vision impact our view of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit?

3. In what ways can spiritual blindness manifest in a Christian's life, and how can we seek God's help to see clearly?

4. How does the omniscience of God challenge us to live authentically and transparently in our daily walk with Him?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that we are continually repenting and seeking restoration in our relationship with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:4-5
This passage outlines the commandment against idolatry, which the Israelites are violating in Ezekiel's vision.

Romans 1:23
Paul speaks of exchanging the glory of God for images resembling mortal man and animals, echoing the idolatry seen in Ezekiel's vision.

Jeremiah 7:30
Jeremiah also condemns the idolatry in the temple, showing a consistent prophetic message against such practices.
Base IdolatryJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 8:10
Gradual Disclosure of Human SinJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 8:1-16
The Chambers of Imagery; Or, Secret SinsW. Jones Ezekiel 8:7-13
People
Ezekiel, Jaazaniah, Shaphan
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abominable, Animals, Beast, Beasts, Behold, Carved, Crawling, Creeping, Detestable, Entered, Flat, Form, Goes, Graved, Idols, Images, Kinds, Loathsome, Pictured, Portrayed, Pourtrayed, Round, Sort, Unclean, Wall, Walls
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 8:10

     5340   house
     8769   idolatry, in OT

Ezekiel 8:5-18

     6103   abomination

Ezekiel 8:9-12

     5211   art

Ezekiel 8:9-16

     8831   syncretism

Library
Chambers of Imagery
'Then said He unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery!'--EZEKIEL viii. 12. This is part of a vision which came to the prophet in his captivity. He is carried away in imagination from his home amongst the exiles in the East to the Temple of Jerusalem. There he sees in one dreadful series representations of all the forms of idolatry to which the handful that were left in the land were cleaving. There meets
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Message from the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapters ii and iii) "The glory of love is brightest when the glory of self is dim, And they have the most compelled me who most have pointed to Him. They have held me, stirred me, swayed me,--I have hung on their every word, Till I fain would arise and follow, not them, not them,--but their Lord!"[64] Patmos Spells Patience. Patience is strength at its strongest, using all its strength in holding back from doing something. Patience is love at flood pleading with strength to hold steady
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
The stay in Cana, though we have no means of determining its length, was probably of only short duration. Perhaps the Sabbath of the same week already found Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth. We will not seek irreverently to lift the veil of sacred silence, which here, as elsewhere, the Gospel-narratives have laid over the Sanctuary of His inner Life. That silence is itself theopneustic, of Divine breathing and inspiration; it is more eloquent than any eloquence, a guarantee of the truthfulness
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and Connivance, Between Fervour and Gentleness.
It should be known too that the vices of subjects ought sometimes to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at; that things, even though openly known, ought sometimes to be seasonably tolerated, but sometimes, though hidden, be closely investigated; that they ought sometimes to be gently reproved, but sometimes vehemently censured. For, indeed, some things, as we have said, ought to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at, so that, when the
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

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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