Prophecy

What Happens in Ezekiel 6?: Tearing Down the High Places

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Chapter Summary

Ezekiel 6 is a sobering message from God directed at the physical landscape of Israel, specifically the mountains where people practiced false worship. The prophet warns that the very places where people turned away from God will soon become scenes of judgment and desolation. This chapter highlights God's intolerance for anything that replaces Him in the hearts of His people.

Core Passages from Ezekiel 6

  • Ezekiel 6:7And the slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the Lord.

    This verse introduces a phrase that appears throughout the book, explaining that God's actions are meant to reveal His identity and authority to everyone. Judgment brings people back to the truth, rather than merely punishing them.

  • Ezekiel 6:9Then those of you who escape will remember me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols. And they will be loathsome in their own sight for the evils that they have committed, for all their abominations.

    In a rare and touching moment, God describes Himself as being broken or deeply grieved by the unfaithfulness of His people. Our wandering from God personally wounds His heart, rather than simply breaking a rule.

  • Ezekiel 6:11Thus says the Lord God: “Clap your hands and stamp your foot and say, Alas, because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel, for they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.

    God tells Ezekiel to use physical gestures like clapping and stamping to show the intensity of the situation. It emphasizes that the consequences of turning away from God are real, physical, and deeply tragic.
Finding redemption not in the idols we create, but in the judgment that refines our hearts towards God
Finding redemption not in the idols we create, but in the judgment that refines our hearts towards God

Historical & Cultural Context

A Prophecy Against the Mountains

Ezekiel is a prophet living among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, but his message is often directed back toward the land of Israel. In this chapter, God tells him to face the mountains of Israel and speak directly to the land itself. This follows the symbolic acts in previous chapters where Ezekiel acted out the siege of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 4-5). Now, the focus shifts to the high places, which were hilltop shrines where people worshipped false gods instead of the Lord.

The Remnant and the Final Warning

After describing the coming destruction, the tone shifts slightly to offer a glimmer of hope. God promises not to destroy everyone. A small group, called a remnant, will survive and be scattered among the nations. These survivors will finally remember God and feel a deep sense of regret for their past choices. The chapter ends with a final warning that the entire land, from the wilderness to the northern borders, will feel the weight of God's justice.

Finding redemption not in our own righteousness, but in the mercy and justice of God, who judges and refines his people to bring forth a faithful remnant
Finding redemption not in our own righteousness, but in the mercy and justice of God, who judges and refines his people to bring forth a faithful remnant

The Judgment and the Remnant of Israel

In Ezekiel 6:1-14, the prophet is commanded to deliver a message to the mountains, hills, and valleys of Israel. This setting is significant because these were the locations of the high places where the people had abandoned God for idols. The scene moves from a declaration of war against these false altars to a promise of a surviving remnant who will finally turn back to God.

The Call to the Mountains  (Ezekiel 6:1-3)

1 The word of the Lord came to me:
2 And the word of the Lord came to me:
3 and say, You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys: Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

Commentary:

God addresses the physical landscape of Israel, announcing that He will destroy the hilltop shrines used for false worship.

God tells Ezekiel to set his face toward the mountains of Israel and speak to them. By addressing the mountains, hills, and valleys, God is speaking to the very places where the people felt most secure and where they practiced their false religions. He announces that a sword is coming to destroy the high places, which were the centers of spiritual rebellion. This section sets the stage for a total clearing of the land's spiritual corruption.

The Destruction of Idols  (Ezekiel 6:4-7)

4 Your altars shall become desolate, and your incense altars shall be broken, and I will cast down your slain before your idols.
5 And I will lay the dead bodies of the people of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones around your altars.
6 In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars will be laid waste and made desolate, your idols broken and destroyed, your incense altars cut down, and your works wiped out.
7 And the slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the Lord.

Commentary:

The false altars and idols will be smashed, proving they cannot save those who trust in them.

This section describes the graphic results of the coming judgment. The altars will be broken, the incense stands will be smashed, and the people who worshipped there will fall right in front of their useless idols. God is making a point that these false gods have no power to protect their followers. When the dust settles and the idols are gone, the people will finally realize that the Lord is the only one with true power.

The Grace of Remembrance  (Ezekiel 6:8-10)

8 "Yet I will leave some of you alive. When you have among the nations some who escape the sword, and when you are scattered through the countries,"
9 Then those of you who escape will remember me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols. And they will be loathsome in their own sight for the evils that they have committed, for all their abominations.
10 And they shall know that I am the Lord. I have not said in vain that I would do this evil to them.”

Commentary:

God promises to spare a small group of people who will eventually remember Him and regret their sins.

Even in a message of judgment, God provides a way out. He promises to leave some people alive who will be scattered among the nations as captives. In their exile, these survivors will finally remember God and realize how much they hurt Him with their unfaithful hearts. This remembrance leads to a healthy sense of self-loathing for their past sins, which is the first step toward true change and returning to God.

The Weight of Consequences  (Ezekiel 6:11-12)

11 Thus says the Lord God: “Clap your hands and stamp your foot and say, Alas, because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel, for they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.
12 He who is far off shall die of pestilence, and he who is near shall fall by the sword, and he who is left and is preserved shall die of famine. Thus I will spend my fury upon them.

Commentary:

Ezekiel is told to physically express grief over the coming disasters of war, hunger, and disease.

God instructs Ezekiel to use dramatic physical actions, like clapping his hands and stamping his feet, to emphasize the tragedy of what is happening. He lists three ways the people will fall: by the sword in battle, by famine from the siege, and by pestilence or disease. No matter where someone is - far away or near - they will not be able to escape the consequences of the nation's deep-seated rebellion against God.

Knowing the Lord  (Ezekiel 6:13-14)

13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, under every green tree, and under every leafy oak, wherever they offered pleasing aroma to all their idols.
14 And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land desolate and waste, in all their dwelling places, from the wilderness to Riblah. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

Commentary:

God will make the land a wasteland so that everyone will finally recognize His authority and identity.

The chapter concludes by reiterating that the destruction will happen exactly where the false worship took place - under every green tree and on every high hill. God will stretch out His hand against the land to make it a wasteland. The repeated goal of all these difficult events is that the people will finally know that He is the Lord. It is a hard lesson, but one that God deems necessary to bring His people back to reality.

Spiritual Lessons from the Mountains of Israel

The Heart of God

This chapter reveals God is not a cold judge. He describes Himself as broken by His people's unfaithfulness. It shows that our relationship with Him is personal, and when we choose other things over Him, it causes Him genuine grief.

The Purpose of Discipline

The recurring phrase 'you shall know that I am the Lord' suggests that God's discipline is always aimed at restoration and truth. He allows our false supports to fail so that we are forced to look at the only foundation that actually holds firm.

The Danger of Spiritual Adultery

God uses strong language to describe idolatry as being unfaithful in a marriage. This theme emphasizes that God expects total loyalty from His people because He has given Himself totally to them.

Finding redemption in the midst of judgment, through wholehearted surrender to God's will, as proclaimed by the prophet Ezekiel, in a call to repentance and spiritual awakening, trusting in God's sovereignty and mercy, even in the face of desolation and darkness, and finding hope in the promise of restoration and renewal, as stated in Ezekiel 6:8-10, 'Yet I will leave some of you alive, and you will be scattered among the nations, and when you are dispersed among the lands, then you will live, and you will know that I am the Lord, and they will know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations, and scatter them among the lands, and I will be a sanctuary to them for a little while in the countries where they have gone.'
Finding redemption in the midst of judgment, through wholehearted surrender to God's will, as proclaimed by the prophet Ezekiel, in a call to repentance and spiritual awakening, trusting in God's sovereignty and mercy, even in the face of desolation and darkness, and finding hope in the promise of restoration and renewal, as stated in Ezekiel 6:8-10, 'Yet I will leave some of you alive, and you will be scattered among the nations, and when you are dispersed among the lands, then you will live, and you will know that I am the Lord, and they will know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations, and scatter them among the lands, and I will be a sanctuary to them for a little while in the countries where they have gone.'

Applying Ezekiel's Message to Your Life Today

What are the 'high places' in my life today?

High places were spots where people prioritized other things over God. Today, these might be your career, your social status, or even your own comfort if they have become more important to you than your relationship with God (Ezekiel 6:3).

How does God feel when I wander away from Him?

According to Ezekiel 6:9, God is deeply affected by your choices and feels broken when your heart departs from Him. Your spiritual life involves maintaining a relationship with a God who truly cares for you, rather than simply following rules.

What is the goal of the difficult seasons I face?

Sometimes God allows the things we rely on to be taken away so that we stop trusting in things that can't help us. These moments are designed to bring you to a place where you can truly say you know the Lord is your only source of strength (Ezekiel 6:7).

God Destroys Idols to Save Hearts

Ezekiel delivers a heavy message about the destruction of the places where Israel worshipped false gods. God makes it clear that He will not share His people's affection with useless idols, and He is willing to shake the entire land to prove it. Yet, even in this judgment, there is a promise of a remnant who will finally remember God and return to Him. The ultimate message is that God's discipline is a pathway to knowing Him truly and deeply.

What This Means for Us Today

God's judgment is often a severe mercy that strips away what is false to reveal what is true. He invites us to look at our own lives and tear down anything we have put in His place before those things fail us.

  • What is one thing in your life that might be taking God's place right now?
  • How can you respond to God's invitation to return to Him with your whole heart?
  • In what ways have you seen God use a difficult season to help you know Him better?
Finding solace in the midst of judgment, trusting in God's sovereignty and mercy to bring restoration and redemption to a nation gone astray, as spoken through the prophet Ezekiel, 'Then you will know that I am the Lord.'
Finding solace in the midst of judgment, trusting in God's sovereignty and mercy to bring restoration and redemption to a nation gone astray, as spoken through the prophet Ezekiel, 'Then you will know that I am the Lord.'

Further Reading

Immediate Context

Ezekiel acts out the judgment of Jerusalem using his own hair to show how the people will be scattered.

The prophet announces that the end has finally come for the land of Israel because of their persistent sins.

Connections Across Scripture

This earlier law contains the original warning that God would destroy the high places if the people turned to idols.

Another prophet uses the same imagery of a broken marriage to describe God's pain over Israel's unfaithfulness.

Paul discusses the concept of a remnant, showing that God always keeps a faithful few for Himself.

Discussion Questions

  • Why do you think God addresses the physical mountains and hills instead of speaking directly to the people?
  • What does it change about your view of God to know that He feels broken by our unfaithfulness?
  • How can we identify the modern idols in our lives before they lead us toward a spiritual wasteland?

Glossary

places

Riblah

A city on the northern border of the land that represents the far reaches of Israel's territory.

language

Whoring heart

A strong biblical metaphor used to describe being spiritually unfaithful to God.

events

The Exile

The historical period when the people of Israel were forced to leave their homeland and live in Babylon.

figures

Ezekiel

A priest and prophet who was taken to Babylon and received visions from God for the Jewish exiles.

theological concepts

Remnant

A small group of people who survive a disaster and are preserved by God to carry on His promises.

terms

High Places

Elevated spots or hilltops where people built altars to worship false gods.

symbols

The Sword

A common biblical symbol representing coming war, violence, and divine judgment.

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