Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.
Her officials within her
This phrase refers to the leaders and rulers of Jerusalem. In the Hebrew text, the word for "officials" is "שָׂרֶיהָ" (sarim), which can mean princes or leaders. Historically, these were individuals entrusted with governance and justice. However, in Ezekiel's time, they had become corrupt, failing in their duty to protect and serve the people. This highlights the importance of righteous leadership, a theme echoed throughout the Bible, where leaders are called to be shepherds, not predators.

are like wolves tearing their prey
The imagery of wolves is powerful and evocative. Wolves are often seen as cunning and ruthless predators. In the Hebrew context, "זְאֵבִים" (ze'evim) signifies not just physical violence but also moral and ethical corruption. This metaphor underscores the predatory nature of the officials, who exploit the vulnerable rather than protect them. Biblically, leaders are often compared to shepherds, and the contrast here with wolves emphasizes their betrayal of trust.

shedding blood
This phrase indicates the extreme violence and injustice perpetrated by the leaders. The Hebrew word "שֹׁפְכִים" (shophkim) means to pour out or shed, often used in the context of innocent blood. This is a direct violation of God's commandments, particularly the prohibition against murder. The shedding of blood symbolizes not only physical violence but also the spiritual and moral decay of society when justice is perverted.

and destroying lives
The Hebrew word for "destroying" is "לְאַבֵּד" (le'abbed), which means to ruin or annihilate. This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the leaders' corruption, affecting every aspect of life. It reflects a society where the sanctity of life is disregarded, and the well-being of individuals is sacrificed for selfish gain. This destruction is not just physical but also spiritual, as it leads people away from God's righteous path.

for dishonest gain
The motivation behind the officials' actions is revealed here. The Hebrew term "בְּבֶצַע" (bevetza) refers to unjust profit or gain. This phrase underscores the greed and selfishness driving the leaders' actions. In the biblical context, this is a grave sin, as it prioritizes material wealth over justice and righteousness. The pursuit of dishonest gain is condemned throughout Scripture, as it leads to exploitation and oppression, contrary to God's desire for justice and equity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.

2. Officials
The leaders and rulers of Israel, who are being condemned for their corrupt and violent behavior.

3. Jerusalem
The city where these events are taking place, representing the center of religious and political life for the Israelites.

4. Wolves
A metaphor used to describe the predatory and destructive nature of the officials.

5. Dishonest Gain
The corrupt practices and exploitation carried out by the leaders for personal benefit.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of Corrupt Leadership
Leaders have a responsibility to serve and protect their people. When they become corrupt, they can cause great harm, as seen in Ezekiel's condemnation of the officials.

The Call for Righteousness
Believers are called to pursue justice and righteousness, standing against corruption and exploitation in all forms.

The Role of Accountability
Just as Ezekiel held the leaders accountable, Christians are called to hold their leaders accountable to God's standards.

The Importance of Discernment
Believers must be discerning of those in authority, recognizing the signs of corrupt leadership and responding appropriately.

Trust in God's Justice
Despite the presence of corrupt leaders, God’s justice will ultimately prevail, and He will hold all accountable for their actions.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of wolves in Ezekiel 22:27 help us understand the nature of the officials' actions?

2. In what ways can we see similar patterns of leadership corruption in today's world, and how should Christians respond?

3. How do the additional scriptures (Micah 3:1-3, Zephaniah 3:3, etc.) reinforce the message of Ezekiel 22:27?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that we are holding our leaders accountable to God’s standards?

5. How can we cultivate discernment to recognize and address corrupt leadership within our communities and churches?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Micah 3:1-3
This passage also condemns the leaders of Israel for their exploitation and violence, using similar imagery of tearing flesh.

Zephaniah 3:3
Describes the officials as roaring lions and evening wolves, emphasizing their predatory nature.

Matthew 7:15
Jesus warns against false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves, highlighting the theme of deceptive leadership.

Acts 20:29
Paul warns the Ephesian elders about savage wolves that will come in among them, not sparing the flock, drawing a parallel to the dangers of corrupt leadership.
Common Corruption of All ClassesJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 22:23-31
Highest Rank Among Men not SoughtJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 22:23-31
The Universal Prevalence of WickednessW. Jones Ezekiel 22:23-31
People
Ezekiel
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Blood, Causing, Death, Destroy, Destroying, Destruction, Dishonest, Gain, Gaining, Kill, Midst, Order, Prey, Princes, Profit, Putting, Ravening, Rulers, Sake, Shed, Shedding, Souls, Taking, Tearing, Thereof, Unjust, Violently, Within, Wolves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 22:23-29

     7259   promised land, later history

Ezekiel 22:27-31

     5931   resistance
     8716   dishonesty, examples

Library
God Seeks Intercessors
"I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night. Ye that are the Lord's remembrancers, keep not silence, and give Him no rest till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth."--ISA. lxii. 6, 7. "And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor."--ISA. lix. 16. "And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered, and there was none to uphold."--ISA. lxiii. 5. "There is none that calleth upon Thy name, that
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 14.) Differently to be admonished are those who fear scourges, and on that account live innocently, and those who have grown so hard in wickedness as not to be corrected even by scourges. For those who fear scourges are to be told by no means to desire temporal goods as being of great account, seeing that bad men also have them, and by no means to shun present evils as intolerable, seeing they are not ignorant how for the most part good men also are touched by them. They are to be admonished
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

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

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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