Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.
Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not. This verse provides God own assessment of Israel sin, explaining why such severe judgment is justified. The comprehensive corruption—violence, perversion, and practical atheism—has made judgment inevitable and necessary.
The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great emphasizes the magnitude and scope of national sin. This is not isolated individual transgression but systemic, comprehensive rebellion affecting the entire society. Exceeding great indicates sin has reached a threshold requiring divine intervention and judgment.
The land is full of blood indicates widespread violence, murder, and bloodshed. This fulfills covenant curse warnings (Genesis 6:11, Ezekiel 7:23). The city full of perverseness shows moral corruption, injustice, and twisted ethics have pervaded Jerusalem. For they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not reveals the root theological error: practical deism leading to moral license. They lived as if God were absent or indifferent.
From Reformed perspective, this demonstrates that denying God sovereign oversight leads inevitably to moral collapse. When people believe God does not see or care, restraint disappears and wickedness flourishes. This passage also shows God does see all and will judge comprehensively. It points to Christ who provides both full payment for sin and transformation of the heart.
Historical Context
The late 7th and early 6th century BC in Judah was marked by exactly the conditions Ezekiel describes. Jeremiah contemporary prophecies confirm widespread violence, injustice, oppression of the poor, corrupt courts, and bloodshed (Jeremiah 7:5-6, 22:3, 17). King Manasseh had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood (2 Kings 21:16, 24:4).
Archaeological evidence from this period shows social stratification, with wealthy elite exploiting poor. Prophetic literature condemns land-grabbing, debt slavery, corrupt weights and measures, and judicial bribery (Isaiah 5:8, Amos 2:6-7, Micah 2:1-2). Society had become systemically unjust.
The theological error—The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not—represents practical atheism. People maintained outward religious forms while denying God active involvement in human affairs. This allowed moral compromise; if God does not see or act, why restrain selfish behavior?
This mindset appears in Psalm 94:7: They say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. The psalmist refutes this, affirming God sees all and will judge. Ezekiel vision confirms: God sees comprehensively and will execute righteous judgment.
Questions for Reflection
How does practical atheism (God does not see) lead to moral collapse in societies?
What is the relationship between theology (what we believe about God) and ethics (how we live)?
In what ways do modern societies demonstrate the belief that God does not see or care?
How does God omniscience serve as both warning to the wicked and comfort to the oppressed?
What does exceeding great iniquity reveal about the patience God exercises before judging?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not. This verse provides God own assessment of Israel sin, explaining why such severe judgment is justified. The comprehensive corruption—violence, perversion, and practical atheism—has made judgment inevitable and necessary.
The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great emphasizes the magnitude and scope of national sin. This is not isolated individual transgression but systemic, comprehensive rebellion affecting the entire society. Exceeding great indicates sin has reached a threshold requiring divine intervention and judgment.
The land is full of blood indicates widespread violence, murder, and bloodshed. This fulfills covenant curse warnings (Genesis 6:11, Ezekiel 7:23). The city full of perverseness shows moral corruption, injustice, and twisted ethics have pervaded Jerusalem. For they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not reveals the root theological error: practical deism leading to moral license. They lived as if God were absent or indifferent.
From Reformed perspective, this demonstrates that denying God sovereign oversight leads inevitably to moral collapse. When people believe God does not see or care, restraint disappears and wickedness flourishes. This passage also shows God does see all and will judge comprehensively. It points to Christ who provides both full payment for sin and transformation of the heart.