The world is in chaos. Our leaders seem to have lost their morality and common sense. Thank You Father that you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Jesus fulfills the gap for man that no one else can!
My hope is in You alone!
More than all other religious officials, the priests were responsible to maintain the integrity of the divine law. Even common people are guilty of injustice and violating the principles of the covenant. Yahweh has no choice but to punish Israel. Faithlife Bible.
The priests were not examples of separation from worldly ways. Some at least were motivated by monetary gain. These prophets were involved in “whitewashing” the sins of the nation’s leaders. God could not find a spiritual leader to guide the people in godliness.
As go the leaders so go the followers. NKJ Bible.
Ezekiel 22:23–31 (NKJV) Israel’s Wicked Leaders
23 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 24 “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ 25 The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. 26 Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
Zephaniah 3:4 (NKJV)
4 Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people;
Her priests have polluted the sanctuary,
They have done violence to the law.
Micah 3:11 (NKJV)
11 Her heads judge for a bribe,
Her priests teach for pay,
And her prophets divine for money.
Yet they lean on the Lord, and say,
“Is not the Lord among us?
No harm can come upon us.”
Zephaniah 3:3 (NKJV)
3 Her princes in her midst are roaring lions;
Her judges are evening wolves
That leave not a bone till morning.
Exodus 23:9 (NKJV)
9 “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
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