The Lord reveals to Ezekiel that these elders have taken their idols into their hearts and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. The interior state of the elders—their hearts set on idols—renders their external piety meaningless and makes their presence before the prophet an act of spiritual hypocrisy. The image of stumbling blocks indicates that idolatry has become the directing principle of their lives, obstructing their path to authentic relationship with God. This verse establishes that the problem is not merely external conduct but the corruption of the heart and will.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse