Ezekiel 7:19. How will this prophecy be fulfilled, and what does it teach us? (w24.09 11 par. 14).
Ezekiel 7:19 — “‘They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will become abhorrent to them. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them in the day of Jehovah’s fury. They will not be satisfied, nor will they fill their stomachs, for it has become a stumbling block causing their error.
Answer 1: This prophecy will be fulfilled during the great tribulation, when money will have no value. People will realize that their riches cannot save them from Jehovah’s fury. This teaches us that the security offered by possessions is limited. Although money now helps cover our needs, it cannot take the place of our trust in Jehovah. Having strong faith that the end could come at any moment protects us from materialism.
Answer 2: During the great tribulation, riches will not be able to save those who trust in them. So one practical lesson from this prophecy is that we should make decisions that promote a simple, balanced life. Rather than concentrating on earning more and more money, it is wise to think about how our decisions affect our relationship with Jehovah. The question is not simply how much we can earn, but whether our plans show that we trust him more than we trust money.
Answer 3: The prophecy shows that a time will come when silver and gold will offer no protection. One specific lesson highlighted by the paragraph is to resist the temptation to take on unnecessary debt. If we know that material things do not guarantee our future, it makes no sense to complicate our life to obtain more of them. Before taking on debt, we can ask ourselves whether it responds to a real need or to the desire to have more.
Answer 4: Ezekiel 7:19 also helps us evaluate how much time we devote to our possessions. During the great tribulation they will not be able to save us, so it would not be wise to let them absorb all our attention now. The paragraph warns of the danger of becoming so involved in caring for material things that we have no time for anything else. We can review not only what we spend to acquire them but also the time required to maintain them, and make changes that allow us to lead a more balanced life.
Answer 5: Another lesson is that we must watch our feelings toward what we own. It is not enough to avoid debt; we also need to avoid becoming excessively attached to our possessions. The paragraph points out that, as the end draws near, we may have to show whether we trust Jehovah more than we trust them. Knowing that riches will save no one during the great tribulation helps us cultivate from now a trust in Jehovah that does not depend on keeping our comforts.
What spiritual gems have you found in this week’s Bible reading?
Spiritual Gems for EZEKIEL 7
Ezekiel 7:1 — The word of Jehovah again came to me, saying:
Comment 1: Ezekiel 7:1 makes it clear that the message came from Jehovah, not from the prophet’s imagination. This reminds me that, when commenting at the congregation or speaking in the ministry, the important thing is not to present original ideas. What really helps is faithfully conveying what Jehovah has communicated, distinguishing Bible teaching from our opinions.
Ezekiel 7:3 — The end is now upon you, and I will unleash my anger against you, and I will judge you according to your ways and call you to account for all your detestable deeds.
Comment 2: At Ezekiel 7:3, Jehovah announces that he will judge his people according to their conduct. Belonging to Israel did not allow them to act as they pleased without being held accountable. This motivates me to examine my own decisions instead of being satisfied with merely appearing spiritual. I can ask myself whether what I do at home, at work, and when no one is watching agrees with the faith I claim to have.
Ezekiel 7:6 — An end is coming; the end will come; it will rouse itself against you. Look! It is coming.
Comment 3: At Ezekiel 7:6, it is repeated that the end is coming. This insistence highlights the certainty of Jehovah’s message and the need to take it seriously. At times, hearing a warning repeatedly can make us become accustomed to it. But repetition does not make it less important. This verse motivates me not to put off the changes I know I must make to live according to what Jehovah expects.
Ezekiel 7:10 — “‘Look, the day! Look, it is coming! Your turn has come; the rod has blossomed and presumptuousness has sprouted.
Comment 4: Ezekiel 7:10 mentions that presumptuousness had sprouted. This description makes me think about the importance of not allowing pride to take root in me. One practical way to combat it is to pay attention to how I react when I receive counsel. If I immediately justify myself or reject any observation, I need to examine my attitude. Cultivating humility will help me accept correction before a bad tendency becomes a bigger problem.
Ezekiel 7:11 — Violence has grown into a rod of wickedness. Neither they nor their wealth nor their crowds nor their prominence will survive.
Comment 5: Ezekiel 7:11 shows that neither riches, nor crowds, nor prominence would protect that people. The mention of prominence catches my attention because it is easy to give too much importance to the opinion of others. Being recognized does not mean having Jehovah’s approval. So when making a decision, I want to think less about whether it will make me look good and more about whether it is right in his eyes.
Ezekiel 7:14 — “‘They have blown the trumpet, and everyone is ready, but no one is going to the battle, because my wrath is against the whole multitude.
Comment 6: At Ezekiel 7:14, the preparations for battle did not serve to deliver the people from Jehovah’s judgment. The trumpet had been blown, but no one went out to fight. This shows the limits of human ability when faced with a decision by Jehovah. As a personal application, I do not want to confuse being well prepared with being self-sufficient. Organizing myself and using my resources is useful, but it can never replace the need to listen to Jehovah and act according to his will.
Ezekiel 7:16 — Their survivors who manage to escape will go to the mountains, and like the doves of the valleys, each one will moan over his error.
Comment 7: Ezekiel 7:16 describes those who escaped as moaning over their own error. It is a scene that invites reflection: it would be very sad to recognize wrongdoing only after suffering its consequences. This motivates me to react now when the Bible helps me see a defect. Instead of making excuses or pointing out the mistakes of others, I can acknowledge my responsibility and make the needed changes while I have the opportunity.
Ezekiel 7:19 — “‘They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will become abhorrent to them. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them in the day of Jehovah’s fury. They will not be satisfied, nor will they fill their stomachs, for it has become a stumbling block causing their error.
Comment 8: At Ezekiel 7:19, riches not only proved useless for saving the people; they had also been an obstacle that led them into sin. This helps me examine how money influences my decisions. For example, if an opportunity to earn more requires acting dishonestly, the financial benefit becomes a spiritual danger. The important question is not only how much money I can obtain, but what effect obtaining it will have on my obedience to Jehovah.
Ezekiel 7:20 — They took pride in the beauty of their ornaments, and they made with them their detestable images, their disgusting idols. That is why I will make it an abhorrent thing to them.
Comment 9: Ezekiel 7:20 shows that the Israelites used their ornaments to make idolatrous images. What they valued for its beauty ended up being associated with practices that Jehovah detested. This teaches me to evaluate things by more than their appearance or price. Before keeping an object connected with worship, it is wise to think about what it represents. The fact that something is attractive or has sentimental value does not mean that it is appropriate from Jehovah’s standpoint.
Ezekiel 7:23 — “‘Make the chain, for the land is full of bloodstained judgment and the city is full of violence.
Comment 10: Ezekiel 7:23 mentions both bloodstained judgment and the violence filling the city. Jehovah saw those injustices and did not consider them unimportant. This reminds me that the way we treat people is part of our responsibility before him. In my daily life I want to reject aggressiveness and be just when evaluating a situation. Before supporting an accusation or expressing an opinion, I need to listen carefully and avoid prejudice.
Ezekiel 7:26 — There will come disaster upon disaster, and one report after another, and people will seek a vision from a prophet, but the law will perish from a priest and advice from the elders.
Comment 11: At Ezekiel 7:26, people would seek guidance amid a succession of disasters, but they would no longer have the direction they needed. This picture makes me value the Bible teaching I can receive now. I do not want to wait for a crisis to arise before becoming interested in Jehovah’s counsel. Studying regularly and paying attention at meetings enables me to know his principles better and learn to use them in everyday decisions.
Ezekiel 7:27 — The king will go into mourning, and the chieftain will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble in terror. I will treat them according to their ways, and I will judge them as they have judged. And they will have to know that I am Jehovah.’”
Comment 12: Ezekiel 7:27 includes the king, the chieftain, and the people of the land in the consequences of the judgment. No social position placed them above Jehovah’s authority. This teaches me not to measure a person’s worth by his position or to think that a responsibility grants privileges to disobey. In the congregation, I want to show respect to everyone and remember that what matters is our conduct before Jehovah, not the importance others attribute to us.
Spiritual Gems for EZEKIEL 8
Ezekiel 8:3 — Then he stretched out what appeared to be a hand and took me by a tuft of hair of my head, and a spirit carried me between the earth and the heavens and brought me to Jerusalem by means of the visions from God, to the entrance of the inner gate that faces north, where the idolatrous symbol of jealousy that incites jealousy stood.
Comment 1: Ezekiel 8:3 clarifies that the prophet was taken to Jerusalem by means of visions from God. This detail reminds me of the importance of reading accurately. Before explaining an account in a conversation or comment, it is wise to note how the Bible presents it. In this way we avoid adding details and help others understand what it really says.
Ezekiel 8:4 — And look! the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the appearance that I had seen in the valley plain.
Comment 2: At Ezekiel 8:4, the prophet saw the glory of the God of Israel in a setting where idolatry was also present. The contrast helps us see how improper those practices were. Thinking about Jehovah’s greatness can help us avoid treating worship as routine. When preparing for a meeting or addressing him in prayer, I want to remember whom I am worshipping. That respect should be reflected both in my attitude and in my conduct.
Ezekiel 8:6 — And he said to me: “Son of man, do you see what terrible, detestable things the house of Israel is doing here, things that make me go far away from my sanctuary? But you will see detestable things that are even more terrible.”
Comment 3: Ezekiel 8:6 shows that Israel’s detestable practices caused Jehovah to go far away from his sanctuary. Having a place dedicated to him did not guarantee his approval if the people’s conduct offended him. This reminds me that attending meetings does not replace obedience. I want my worship to be consistent: what I learn and express at the Kingdom Hall should also be reflected in my decisions, conversations, and way of treating others.
Ezekiel 8:8 — He said to me: “Son of man, please bore through the wall.” So I bored through the wall, and I saw an entryway.
Comment 4: At Ezekiel 8:8, Jehovah told the prophet to bore through the wall, and then an entryway appeared. The vision showed that there were things not visible at first glance. As an application, this detail motivates me not to be satisfied with a superficial review of my own conduct. When studying the Bible, I can allow its teachings to help me examine my motives as well. The point is not to look for hidden faults in others but to be honest with myself.
Ezekiel 8:10 — So I went in and looked, and I saw all sorts of images of creeping things and loathsome beasts and all the disgusting idols of the house of Israel; they were carved on the wall all around.
Comment 5: Ezekiel 8:10 describes walls filled with images related to idolatry. Those objects were part of worship that Jehovah rejected. The verse motivates me to review whether what I have at home agrees with my desire to worship him alone. Not every image has a religious use, but if an object is connected with idolatrous practices, I should not minimize that simply because it is considered decorative or because other people view it as normal.
Ezekiel 8:11 — And 70 of the elders of the house of Israel were standing before them, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them. Each one had his censer in his hand, and the perfumed cloud of incense was ascending.
Comment 6: Ezekiel 8:11 shows 70 elders of Israel participating in idolatrous worship. The fact that they were many and held a prominent position did not make their actions acceptable. This teaches me not to decide what is right simply by the number of people doing it or by their influence. If someone encourages me to act in a certain way, I need to compare that suggestion with Jehovah’s standards rather than follow it without thinking.
Ezekiel 8:12 — He said to me: “Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each one in the inner rooms where his idols are displayed? For they are saying, ‘Jehovah is not seeing us. Jehovah has left the land.’”
Comment 7: At Ezekiel 8:12, the elders acted in darkness, believing that Jehovah did not see them. But he was showing Ezekiel what they were doing. This reminds me that my integrity cannot depend on whether someone is watching me. What I view on a screen, the conversations I have in private, and my decisions when I am alone also matter. Remembering that Jehovah knows my conduct motivates me to be the same person in public and in private.
Ezekiel 8:13 — And he went on to say to me: “You will see detestable things that are even more terrible that they are doing.”
Comment 8: At Ezekiel 8:13, Jehovah announces that he will show even more terrible practices. The vision does not present all that conduct as equally serious, nor does it make what had already been observed seem acceptable. This helps me avoid a common justification: thinking that my actions do not matter because others do worse things. Comparing myself with more serious wrongdoing does not make my decisions right. I need to evaluate them according to Jehovah’s standards and correct what displeases him.
Ezekiel 8:14 — So he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of Jehovah, and there I saw women sitting and weeping over the god Tammuz.
Comment 9: Ezekiel 8:14 describes women weeping over the god Tammuz at the entrance of Jehovah’s house. The intensity of their feelings did not make that worship acceptable to him. This teaches me that religious emotion by itself cannot determine whether a practice is right. When evaluating a custom, it is not enough to think that it moves people or is carried out sincerely; we must check whether it agrees with the Bible.
Ezekiel 8:16 — So he brought me to the inner courtyard of the house of Jehovah. There at the entrance of the temple of Jehovah, between the porch and the altar, were about 25 men with their backs to the temple of Jehovah and their faces to the east; they were bowing down to the sun in the east.
Comment 10: Ezekiel 8:16 presents a very expressive scene: some men had their backs to Jehovah’s temple while bowing down to the sun. They were giving something created the worship that belonged to Jehovah. This reminds me that admiring creation is not the same as worshipping it. We can enjoy its beauty and learn from it, but our gratitude and worship must be directed to the Creator, without attributing to the elements of nature powers that guide our life.
Ezekiel 8:17 — He said to me: “Son of man, do you see this? Is it a trivial thing for the house of Judah to do these detestable things, to fill the land with violence and keep offending me? Here they are thrusting out the branch to my nose.
Comment 11: At Ezekiel 8:17, Jehovah mentions the violence filling the land along with the detestable practices of the people. This shows that we cannot separate worship from the way we treat others. Being careful about religious practices would not justify behaving cruelly or aggressively. I want to apply this lesson especially at home, where it can be seen what I am really like: listening respectfully, controlling my reactions, and not using hurtful words when a disagreement arises.
Ezekiel 8:18 — So I will act in rage. My eye will not feel sorry; nor will I feel compassion. Even though they cry out loudly in my ears, I will not hear them.”
Comment 12: Ezekiel 8:18 shows that the people’s cries would not cause Jehovah to overlook their detestable conduct. After the practices described in the chapter, they could not expect an insistent request to cancel the consequences. This reminds me that prayer does not replace the necessary changes. If I recognize that I am doing something wrong, in addition to asking Jehovah for help, I must act. I want my requests to be accompanied by a sincere desire to obey him.
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