Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
These elders came feigning piety, sitting gravely as God's people do, but God saw what they truly were: idolaters playing at religion, consulting the prophet as they would any false oracle, curious and self-deceived. Bad men have always dressed themselves in the clothes of devotion.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 14:1-11
Though they sit grave and devout before you, their hearts are altars where they worship dunghill gods, filthy idols they esteem above all else. What is man's righteousness when made an idol, but dung? Every carnal lust indulged is the same: a god set up in the heart, and by it men stumble into ruin.
AI summary
The heart corrupts first, then outward worship follows. Mark this: they have not even put away their idols openly, yet come asking God to consult with them, gross contempt. They set before their eyes what should cause them to stumble, rejecting God's law that would have saved them.
AI summary