Ezekiel 5:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This message is directed specifically at Jerusalem, indicating that because you have defiled My holy places by abandoning Me and have worshipped false idols within My temple, I will shatter all your idols and bring destruction upon you, rejecting you in turn, for you have turned away from Me. My gaze will show no pity as I look upon you, allowing famine, the sword, and bondage to be your fate, for you are unworthy of My mercy. As it is written, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall have mercy (Matthew 5:7). This admonition is also relevant to the Church, as God may daily address negligent teachers and priests, saying, Since you have polluted My sanctuaries with your abominations, I will bring ruin upon you and hold you accountable for your actions against My people. The same prophet (Ezek. 34) elaborates on this, calling out the shepherds who indulge themselves with the flock's provisions yet neglect to care for the weak and injured among them.

By referring to the term holy, He signifies not only what aligns with His commandments but also the sanctuary consecrated to Him, which the Jews desecrated by introducing idols and their abominations, thus becoming repugnant and filled with detestation. This echoes Rebekah's lament: I am distressed within my soul because of the daughters of Canaan; if my son Jacob takes a wife from them, how can I endure? Essentially, she expresses her deep disdain for the daughters of Canaan. Similarly, God, speaking through David, declares, Therefore I detest that generation, indicating His rejection of them, as He confesses, I will stray in heart continuously (Psalm 94:10).

When they were admonished, they started to persecute the prophets. The Lord was displeased with Israel and proclaimed: ‘I will distance myself from them and summon others who will heed my word. If they fall into sin, I will not recall their transgressions.’ Therefore, He dispatched prophets to declare: ‘Foretell the rejection of the Jews and the calling of new peoples.’ And Ezekiel conveyed: ‘Thus says the Sovereign Lord: I will disperse you, and I will send your remnant into every direction... For you have profaned my sanctuary with your abominations; therefore, I will cast you aside... and I will show no compassion towards you.’