Idol Of Jealousy Analysis

Idol of Jealousy

The prophet Ezekiel was shown a vision of the temple. In this vision, the prophet saw various activities/services/ministries that were happening in the temple. While Ezekiel saw these activities/services/ministries that were happening in the temple, it was also revealed to him God’s perspective concerning these activities/services/ministries. The truth is God’s perspective and human perspective concerning the same events are different. The many people involved in the temple and its various services were undoubtedly convinced that what they were doing was appropriate, fitting and even accepted by God. However, God described in the vision of Ezekiel that the temple activities, services, ministries which were occurring in the temple by the word detestable, which is found in the phrase: you will see things that are even more detestable (Ezekiel 8:6). The Hebrew word translated as detestable (New International Version) is also translated as abomination (New Revised Standard Version; New American Standard Bible). Abomination/detestable things are those things that are detestable, abominable, things of horror, repulsive, and loathe. The word abomination was also used in ancient law to describe that which would profane God and His people and thus were to be rejected. In addition,
The north gate leading to the inner court where the Idol of Jealousy stood was either the outer gate of the city, or at the gate of the temple itself. If the Idol of Jealousy stood at the gate to the city, then, what Ezekiel saw was a situation where not only was God’s temple profaned by these detestable practices, but also the whole city was profaned and contaminated as well. There is much to commend the opinion that the Idol of Jealousy stood at the entrance to the city. Ezekiel was told after God departed the temple that He also left the city (Ezekiel 11: 22,