Rebellious House of Israel
Category: Failure of obedience
Could endure: Listen to God’s word through the prophet.
“You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.” (Ezekiel 2:7)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 30:19–20; Jeremiah 7:23–24.
Chose wrongly: Refused to listen, hardened their hearts.
“The people of Israel are hardened and obstinate.” (Ezekiel 3:7)
Cross-Refs: Zechariah 7:11–12; Acts 7:51.
Endured (negatively): Brought under judgment and exile.
“They will know that I am the LORD, for I have spoken.” (Ezekiel 5:17)
Cross-Refs: 2 Kings 25:9–11; Lamentations 2:17.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, stubbornness, love for idols.
“They are a rebellious people.” (Ezekiel 12:2)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 30:9; Romans 10:21.
Result: Devastation of land, scattering among nations.
“I will scatter you among the nations and draw out my sword.” (Ezekiel 5:12)
Cross-Refs: Leviticus 26:33; Deuteronomy 28:64.
Idolatry in the Temple
Category: Failure of holiness
Could endure: Worship God alone in His sanctuary.
“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 12:4–5; Psalm 96:5.
Chose wrongly: Filled the temple with idols and abominations.
“In the entrance to the north gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy.” (Ezekiel 8:5)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 7:30; 2 Kings 23:4.
Endured (negatively): God’s glory departed from the temple.
“Then the glory of the LORD departed from over the threshold of the temple.” (Ezekiel 10:18)
Cross-Refs: 1 Samuel 4:22; Hosea 9:12.
Why (wrong motive): Desire for pagan practices, rejecting God’s presence.
“Have you seen the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary?” (Ezekiel 8:6)
Cross-Refs: Romans 1:22–23; Revelation 2:14.
Result: Temple defiled, Jerusalem destroyed.
“I will desecrate my sanctuary… the delight of your eyes.” (Ezekiel 24:21)
Cross-Refs: 2 Chronicles 36:14–17; Matthew 23:38.
False Prophets
Category: Failure of truth
Could endure: Speak God’s message faithfully.
“I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 23:16; 2 Peter 1:21.
Chose wrongly: Spoke lies, said “peace” when there was no peace.
“They lead my people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace.” (Ezekiel 13:10)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 6:14; Matthew 7:15.
Endured (negatively): Condemned, their walls collapsed.
“Because they lead my people astray… I will tear down the wall you covered with whitewash.” (Ezekiel 13:14)
Cross-Refs: Micah 3:11; Matthew 23:27.
Why (wrong motive): Greed, self-interest, deception.
“Their visions are false and their divinations a lie.” (Ezekiel 13:6)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 23:25–26; 2 Peter 2:3.
Result: Exposed as liars, destroyed in judgment.
“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions.” (Ezekiel 13:9)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 18:20; Revelation 21:8.
Corrupt Leaders (“Shepherds of Israel”)
Category: Failure of leadership & care
Could endure: Shepherd God’s people with justice and compassion.
“Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?” (Ezekiel 34:2)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 23:1–2; John 10:11–13.
Chose wrongly: Exploited, neglected, and scattered the flock.
“You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick… you have ruled them harshly and brutally.” (Ezekiel 34:4)
Cross-Refs: Zechariah 11:16; Matthew 23:4.
Endured (negatively): Removed from leadership.
“I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable.” (Ezekiel 34:10)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 25:34–36; James 3:1.
Why (wrong motive): Selfishness, greed, lack of fear of God.
“You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.” (Ezekiel 34:3)
Cross-Refs: Micah 3:3; 1 Peter 5:2–3.
Result: God Himself would shepherd His people.
“I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” (Ezekiel 34:11)
Cross-Refs: John 10:14–15; Revelation 7:17.
Prince of Tyre (Symbol of Pride & Satanic Rebellion)
Category: Failure of humility & worship
Could endure: Recognize God’s sovereignty.
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
Cross-Refs: Daniel 4:37; Acts 17:28.
Chose wrongly: Exalted himself as a god.
“In the pride of your heart you say, ‘I am a god.’” (Ezekiel 28:2)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 14:13–14; 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
Endured (negatively): Brought down to the pit.
“I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.” (Ezekiel 28:17)
Cross-Refs: Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:10.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, wealth, corruption of wisdom.
“Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.” (Ezekiel 28:17)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 16:18; 1 Timothy 3:6.
Result: Judged, foreshadowing Satan’s ultimate fall.
“So I threw you to the earth.” (Ezekiel 28:17)
Cross-Refs: Luke 10:18; Revelation 20:10.