Question 1

What does it mean that Jerusalem is called a "bloody city"?

Accepted Answer

Calling Jerusalem a “bloody city” means the city is filled with violence and bloodshed, especially the shedding of innocent blood. In this passage, God lists how people in the city were ready to kill, took bribes to shed blood, and used power to hurt rather than protect. The violence is not just a few bad acts but has become normal in the city. God shows that this blood guilt has stained Jerusalem, and it is one of the main reasons judgment is coming. The name exposes how far they have drifted from His ways.

Question 2

Why does God list so many different sins in this chapter?

Accepted Answer

God lists many sins to show that the whole life of the city is corrupted, not just one area. He mentions murder, idols, disrespect to parents, oppression of strangers, orphans, and widows, sexual sins, greed, and cheating. Priests ignore His law, prophets tell lies, and rulers act like wolves. By piling up these charges, God shows there is no part of society that is clean. This long list also removes any excuse, so the people can see clearly why judgment is right and why they need deep, real repentance.

Question 3

What does it mean that Israel has become "dross" in God's eyes?

Accepted Answer

Dross is the waste that comes out when metal is melted in a furnace. In this passage, God says the house of Israel has become like dross, like cheap metals mixed with what should have been pure silver. This picture means that instead of being a holy, precious people, their sin has made them like the useless leftovers. God says He will gather them into Jerusalem as into a furnace and blow on the fire of His anger. Through this, the false will be exposed, and they will know He has poured out His wrath.

Question 4

How are the prophets, priests, and princes described in Ezekiel 22?

Accepted Answer

The leaders are pictured in very strong images. Prophets are said to be like a roaring lion or like people who smear weak plaster on a wall, covering over problems with lies and saying, “Thus says the Lord,” when He has not spoken. Priests break God’s law, treat holy things as common, blur the line between clean and unclean, and ignore the Sabbaths. Princes are like wolves tearing prey, shedding blood to get dishonest gain. Together, they lead the people deeper into sin instead of back to God.

Question 5

What does it mean that the prophets used "untempered mortar"?

Accepted Answer

The picture of using untempered mortar is like building a wall with weak, untested plaster that will not hold. In this passage, it means the prophets were covering over the people’s sins with smooth words instead of dealing with them honestly. They saw false visions and spoke lies, claiming God had given peace or approval when He had not. So, instead of helping the people see their danger and repent, they made them feel safe in their sin. When judgment came, their weak “wall” would crumble.

Question 6

Why does God say He "sought for a man" to stand in the gap and found none?

Accepted Answer

To “stand in the gap” is to step into a broken place and plead for mercy, resisting evil and turning people back to God. Here God says He looked for even one person to repair the broken wall of righteousness, to pray and act so the land would not be destroyed, but He found no one. This shows how deep the corruption was: not only were many doing evil, but there was no faithful leader willing to confront sin and intercede. Because no one stood in the gap, judgment went forward without anyone to delay it.

Question 7

What does this passage teach about why God judges His people?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God’s judgment is not random or harsh without reason. He judges because the people have filled the city with blood, idols, sexual sin, greed, and oppression, and have forgotten Him. They despise His holy things and twist His law. God patiently lists their sins and warns them, then says, “I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it.” Judgment comes because they have reached the end of His patience. It also shows that God cares about justice, truth, and how the weak are treated.

Question 8

What was happening in Jerusalem when this message was given?

Accepted Answer

Jerusalem was nearing a time of great disaster. The people had turned from God to idols and were copying the evil of the nations around them. Violence, injustice, and sexual sin were common. Leaders who should have corrected this were instead gaining from it. God had already warned them many times, and now He tells Ezekiel to act like a judge and lay out all the charges. The threat of being scattered among the nations and facing a fiery judgment was very real, as God prepared to bring their enemies.

Question 9

How can a passage about judgment like this apply to believers today?

Accepted Answer

This passage invites believers to look honestly at their own lives and communities. It warns against forgetting God, using power to harm, taking advantage of the poor, or treating worship and holy things as unimportant. It also warns about leaders who flatter instead of telling the truth. For today, it encourages repentance, care for the weak, honest dealing, and respect for God’s ways. It also reminds believers that God sees both open and hidden sins, and that His patience has a limit when people refuse to turn back.

Question 10

What does this chapter show about God's character and His patience?

Accepted Answer

The chapter shows God as holy, just, and deeply concerned about sin, especially when it harms others. He does not ignore violence, lies, or oppression. At the same time, He does not judge without warning. He sends His word, lists the sins clearly, and even looks for someone to stand in the gap so that He might hold back judgment. When no one will repent or intercede, He acts as He has said. This shows both His patience and His faithfulness to His own word and standards of right and wrong.

Ezekiel 22:1

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

The Sins of Jerusalem

The Refining Furnace

Israel’s Wicked Leaders

The Sins of Jerusalem

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Ezekiel 22:1

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

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The Sins of Jerusalem

The Refining Furnace

Israel’s Wicked Leaders

The Sins of Jerusalem

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