Ezekiel 24:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The intense heat will destroy the sources of comfort and what was essential, until the very copper melts away alongside the poison. When the defenders of the city faced defeat, the city fell, was devastated, and surrendered to flames. Yet, God says that even after these numerous afflictions, the city was not cleansed of its poison; the tendency to sin remained. Thus, He adds: Many are his impurities, his shame will be exposed. In your filth, God declares, you have created a festering sore, igniting this flame because of the abundant sinful poison within you. This poison, now revealed, will be shamed. For you have polluted yourself and have not purified yourself from your transgressions: if you are not cleansed in these matters, how can I bring my wrath upon you? If you refuse to tend to your wounds, you will not find forgiveness or purification until you have atoned for all your justly deserved offenses. Therefore, the authenticity of what is spoken will not be determined by the character of the one speaking it.