QT 13/08/2025 Wed. Ezekiel 22 “Corrupt leadership at all levels—political, prophetic, and priestly?” "各层级的腐败领导——政治、先知和祭司？"
QT 13/08/2025 Wed. Ezekiel 22 “Corrupt leadership at all levels—political, prophetic, and priestly?”
READ http://www.esv.org/eze22
In Ezekiel 22, God speaks out against the unfaithfulness of Israel, focusing on the corrupt leadership at all levels—political, prophetic, and priestly.
(1) The Princes of Israel: Corrupt Leadership (Ezekiel 22:25-27)
The "princes" of Israel are the political leaders—kings, governors, or ruling officials—who have abused their positions for personal gain. Ezekiel describes them as “like wolves tearing the prey” (v. 27), shedding blood, destroying lives, and seeking “dishonest gain.” These princes were supposed to protect the people, ensure justice, and lead with integrity. Instead, they exploited the vulnerable and manipulated the system for their own benefit.
Reflection: Today, we can see a parallel in political systems where corruption, greed, and selfish ambitions harm the most vulnerable. As believers, we must pray for righteous leaders to defend justice, especially for the marginalised.
Application: God calls us to act justly in our own spheres of influence. Whether in leadership roles, workplaces, or communities, we are to seek the welfare of others, ensuring fairness and compassion in all our dealings.
(2) The Conspiracy of the Prophets: False Guidance (Ezekiel 22:25, 28)
The “conspiracy of her prophets” is a significant accusation. These individuals, who were supposed to speak on behalf of God, instead led people astray with false visions and lies. God says, “They have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them” (v. 28). The prophets were not speaking the truth of God’s word; instead, they were appeasing the people with comforting lies, thus exacerbating the nation’s moral decline.
Reflection: In our time, many people, even within the church, are tempted to preach what is popular or pleasing rather than confronting sin with the truth of God’s word. False teaching, whether intentional or through neglect, can be just as destructive as outright rebellion.
(3) The Priests: Profaning the Holiness of God (Ezekiel 22:26)
The priests in Israel were entrusted with the sacred responsibility of teaching the people God’s law, maintaining purity in worship, and preserving the sanctity of the temple. Yet, Ezekiel condemns them for “doing violence to my law” and “profaning my holy things.” The priests had failed to distinguish between the holy and the common, leading people into spiritual compromise by disregarding God's holiness.
Reflection: The failure to honour God’s holiness is not just about ritualistic errors but a deeper disregard for God's sovereignty and purity. When the sacred becomes common, our relationship with God becomes shallow, and our worship loses its power.
(4) God's Search for a Righteous Intercessor (Ezekiel 22:30-31)
Amidst the pervasive corruption, God declares that He searched for a man who would stand in the gap and intercede for the land. But, tragically, He found none. This highlights a profound truth: God’s mercy is often delayed by intercessory prayer and repentance, but when no one takes a stand, judgment comes. The absence of a righteous intercessor results in God's wrath being poured out.
Prayer: Lord, we confess that like the people of Israel, we too are prone to sin. We acknowledge the failings of leadership, false teaching, and our own tendency to take Your holiness lightly. We pray for repentance in our hearts, a deep reverence for Your Word, and a commitment to stand in the gap for our land. Raise up righteous leaders, faithful prophets, and devoted priests in our churches and communities. May we be a people who seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
QT 13/08/2025 星期三. 以西结书第 22 各层级的腐败领导——政治、先知和祭司？”
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Eze/22/
在以西结书22章中，上帝指责以色列的不忠，特别针对各层级的腐败领导——政治、先知和祭司。
(1) 以色列的王子（领袖）们：腐败的领导层（以西结书22:25-27）
原文“王子们”是以色列的政治领袖——国王、总督或统治官员——他们滥用职权谋取私利。以西结描述他们“像狼撕裂猎物”（第27节），流血、毁灭生命，并追求“不义之财”。这些王子本应保护人民、确保正义并以正直领导。然而，他们却利用弱势群体并操纵体系以谋取私利。
反思：今日政治体系中，腐败、贪婪与自私野心正损害最弱势群体。作为信徒，我们必须为公义领袖祈祷，尤其为边缘群体伸张正义。
应用：上帝呼召我们在各自影响力范围内行公义。无论是在领导岗位、工作场所还是社区，我们都应追求他人的福祉，确保在所有事务中公平与仁慈。
(2) 先知的阴谋：虚假引导（以西结书22:25, 28）
“先知叛逆”是一个严重的指控。这些本应代表上帝发言的人，却用虚假的异象和谎言误导了人们。上帝说：“这地的先知用灰泥给他们粉刷墙壁，为他们见虚假的异象，行骗人的占卜”（第28节）。先知们并未传讲上帝话语的真理，反而用安慰人的谎言讨好民众，从而加剧了国家的道德衰败。
反思：在当今时代，许多人，甚至在教会内部，或许都面对危险—倾向于传讲受欢迎或讨人喜欢的内容，而非用上帝话语的真理面对罪恶。无论是故意还是因疏忽而产生的错误教导，都可能与公然叛逆一样具有破坏性。
(3) 祭司：玷污上帝的圣洁（以西结书22:26）
以色列的祭司被托付了神圣的责任，即教导百姓上帝的律法、保持敬拜的纯洁，并维护圣殿的圣洁。然而，以西结责备他们“违背我的律法”和“玷污我的圣物”。祭司们未能区分圣洁与世俗，因忽视上帝的圣洁而使百姓陷入属灵的妥协。
反思：不尊崇上帝的圣洁不仅涉及礼仪上的错误，更是对上帝主权与纯洁的深刻忽视。当圣洁沦为世俗，我们与上帝的关系便变得浅薄，敬拜也失去力量。
(4) 上帝寻找公义的代祷者（以西结书22:30-31）
在普遍的腐败之中，上帝宣告说，祂寻找一个能挺身而出、为这地代祷的人。然而，悲哀的是，祂找不到这样的人。这凸显了一个深刻的真理：上帝的怜悯常常因代祷和悔改而延迟，但当无人挺身而出时，审判便降临。公义代祷者的缺失导致上帝的愤怒倾泻而出。
祷告：主啊，我们承认，如同以色列人一样，我们也容易犯罪。我们承认领导层的失职、错误的教导，以及我们自己轻视您圣洁的倾向。我们祈求心中悔改，对您的话语怀有深刻的敬畏，并承诺为我们的土地挺身而出。在我们的教会和社区中，兴起公义的领袖、忠实的先知和献身的祭司。愿我们成为寻求公义、怜悯他人、与您谦卑同行的人民。奉耶稣的名，阿们。
