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"The princes of Israel"

Text: Ezekiel 22:6

THE WICKED PRINCES OF ISRAEL

The Lord sent a series of messages to rebuke Jerusalem for its many sins. The first group that was reproached was the princes of Judah. They were born with many royal privileges. But as the princes grew up, they began to abuse all their privileges!

“Look, the princes of Israel:
each one has used his power to shed blood in you.
In you they have made light of father and mother;
in your midst they have oppressed the stranger;
in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow.”
Ezekiel 22:6-7

1. Royal privileges.

a) They were accorded titles.

b) They were called “princes”.

c) They were given opportunities to serve the people in the kingdom.

d) These privileges were badly abused.

2. The princes were given “power”.

a) They were accorded “royal authority”.

b) They abused their power to shed blood.

c) They were guilty of committing crimes.

d) But they were never prosecuted.

e) Few would dare to arrest them for their grave misdeeds.

3. The most serious of problems included the following:

a) They made light of their parents.

i) They did not have any respect for them.

ii) They refused to accord any favourable regard to their parents.

b) They oppressed the stranger.

i) They bullied outsiders.

ii) Gentiles were badly treated

c) They mistreated those who needed their support most.

i) The fatherless were at their mercy.

ii) The widow was neglected and despised.