The Lord Judges Sinful Israel
1It was the seventh year since King Jehoiachin had been brought to Babylon as a prisoner. On the tenth day of the fifth month, some of the elders of Israel came to ask the Lord for advice. They sat down with me.
2Then a message from the Lord came to me. The Lord said, 3“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel. Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “Have you come to ask me for advice? I will not let you do that,” announces the Lord and King. “And that is just as sure as I am alive.” ’
4“Are you going to judge them, son of man? Will you judge them? Tell them the evil things done by their people of long ago. I hate those things. 5Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “I chose Israel. On that day I raised my hand and made a promise. I made a promise to the members of Jacob’s family line. I made myself known to them in Egypt. I raised my hand and told them, ‘I am the Lord your God.’ 6On that day I promised I would bring them out of Egypt. I told them I would take them to a land I had found for them. It had plenty of milk and honey. It was the most beautiful land of all. 7I said to them, ‘Each of you must get rid of the statues of the evil gods you worship. Do not make yourselves “unclean” by worshiping the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’
8“ ‘ “But they refused to obey me. They would not listen to me. They did not get rid of the evil gods they worshiped. And they did not turn away from Egypt’s gods. So I said I would pour out all my great anger on them in Egypt. 9I wanted my name to be honored. So I brought my people out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being treated as if it were not holy. I didn’t want this to happen in front of the nations around my people. I had made myself known to Israel in the sight of those nations. 10So I led them out of Egypt. I brought them into the Desert of Sinai. 11I gave them my rules. I made my laws known to them. The person who obeys them will live by them. 12I also told them to observe my Sabbath days. That is the sign of the covenant I made with them. I wanted them to know that I made them holy. I am the Lord.
13“ ‘ “But in the desert the people of Israel refused to obey me. They did not follow my rules. They turned their backs on my laws. The person who obeys them will live by them. They totally misused my Sabbath days. So I said I would pour out my great anger on them. I would destroy them in the desert. 14But I wanted my name to be honored. I kept it from being treated as if it were not holy. I did not want that to happen in front of the nations. They had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt. 15I also raised my hand and made a promise in the desert. I told my people I would not bring them into the land I had given them. It had plenty of milk and honey. It was the most beautiful land of all. 16But they turned their backs on my laws. They did not obey my rules. They misused my Sabbath days. Their hearts were committed to worshiping the statues of their gods. 17Then I felt sorry for them. So I did not destroy them. I did not put an end to them in the desert. 18I spoke to their children there. I said, ‘Do not follow the rules your parents gave you. Do not obey their laws. Do not make yourselves “unclean” by worshiping their gods. 19I am the Lord your God. So follow my rules. Be careful to obey my laws. 20Keep my Sabbath days holy. That is the sign of the covenant I made with you. You will know that I am the Lord your God.’
21“ ‘ “But their children refused to obey me. They did not follow my rules. They were not careful to keep my laws. The person who obeys them will live by them. They misused my Sabbath days. So I said I would pour out all my great anger on them in the desert. 22But I kept myself from punishing them at that time. I wanted my name to be honored. So I kept it from being treated as if it were not holy. I did not want that to happen in front of the nations. They had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt. 23I also raised my hand and made a promise in the desert. I told my people I would scatter them among the nations. I would send them to other countries. 24They had not obeyed my laws. They had turned their backs on my rules. They had misused my Sabbath days. They only wanted to worship the statues of their parents’ gods. 25So I let them follow other rules. Those other rules were not good. I let them have laws they could not live by. 26I let them become ‘unclean’ by offering sacrifices to other gods. They even sacrificed the first male child born in each family. I wanted to fill them with horror. Then they would know that I am the Lord.” ’
27“Son of man, speak to the people of Israel. Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “Your people spoke evil things against me long ago. They were unfaithful to me. 28But I brought them into the land. I had promised to give the land to them. Then they offered sacrifices that made me very angry. They did it on every high hill and under every green tree. There they brought their sweet-smelling incense. And there they poured out their drink offerings. 29Then I said to them, ‘What is this high place you go to?’ ” ’ ” That high place is called Bamah to this day.
The Lord Makes Israel New Again
30The Lord said to me, “Speak to the Israelites. Tell them, ‘Here is what the Lord and King says. “Are you going to make yourselves ‘unclean’ the way your people of long ago did? Are you also going to want to worship the statues of their evil gods? 31You make yourselves ‘unclean’ by offering sacrifices to other gods. You even sacrifice your children in the fire. You continue to do these things to this day. People of Israel, should I let you ask me for advice? I will not let you do that,” announces the Lord and King. “And that is just as sure as I am alive.
32“ ‘ “You say, ‘We want to be like the other nations. We want to be like all the other people in the world. They serve gods made out of wood and stone.’ But what you have in mind will never happen. 33I will rule over you by reaching out my mighty hand and powerful arm. I will pour my great anger out on you,” announces the Lord and King. “And that is just as sure as I am alive. 34I will bring you back from the nations. I will gather you together from the countries where you have been scattered. I will reach out my mighty hand and powerful arm. I will pour my great anger out on you. 35I will send you among the nations. There I will judge you face to face. It will be as if I were judging you in the desert again. 36Long ago, I judged your people in the desert of Egypt. In the same way, I will judge you,” announces the Lord and King. 37“I will take note of you as you pass under my shepherd’s stick. I will separate those who obey me from those who do not. And I will give the blessings of the covenant to those of you who obey me. 38I will get rid of those among you who turn against me. They refuse to obey me. I will bring them out of the land where they are living. But they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
39“ ‘ “People of Israel, the Lord and King says, ‘Go, every one of you! Serve your gods. But later you will listen to me. You will no longer treat my name as if it were not holy. You will not offer sacrifices to other gods anymore. 40People of Israel, you will all serve me,’ announces the Lord and King. ‘You will serve me on my high and holy mountain in Jerusalem. There I will accept you. I will require your offerings and your finest gifts. I want you to bring them along with all your other holy sacrifices. 41I will bring you back from the nations. I will gather you together from the countries where you have been scattered. Then I will accept you as if you were sweet-smelling incense. I will show that I am holy among you. The nations will see it. 42I will bring you into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Long ago I raised my hand and made a promise. I promised to give that land to your people of long ago. 43There you will remember your conduct. You will think about everything you did that made you “unclean.” And you will hate yourselves because of all the evil things you have done. 44People of Israel, I will deal with you for the honor of my name. I will not deal with you based on your evil conduct and sinful practices. Then you will know that I am the Lord,’ announces the Lord and King.” ’ ”
Ezekiel Prophesies Against the South
45A message from the Lord came to me. The Lord said, 46“Son of man, turn your attention to Judah in the south. Preach against it. Prophesy against its forests. 47Tell them, ‘Listen to the Lord’s message. The Lord and King says, “I am about to set you on fire. The fire will destroy all your trees. It will burn down green trees and dry trees alike. The blazing flame will not be put out. The faces of everyone from south to north will be burned by it. 48Everyone will see that I started the fire. It will not be put out. I am the Lord.” ’ ”
49Then I said, “Lord and King, people are talking about me. They are saying, ‘Isn’t he just telling stories?’ ”
20
粛清される反逆のイスラエル
1エホヤキン王が捕らえ移されてから六年後の第五の月、イスラエルの長老たち数人が、主に伺いを立ててほしいと尋ねて来て、私の前に座っていました。 2その時、主はこのようなことばを私に与えました。 3「人の子よ、イスラエルの長老たちに、神である主はこう語ると言いなさい。よくも助けを求めに来られたものだ。わたしは決して語らない。 4さあ、人の子よ、彼らをさばき、責めなさい。先祖の時代から今日まで、この国の人々が行ってきた、すべての罪を教えてやりなさい。 5-6神はこう語ると告げるのだ。わたしがイスラエルを選び、エジプトでわたしが神であることを示した時、彼らとその子孫とにこう誓った。彼らをエジプトから連れ出し、彼らのために探しておいた、乳とみつが流れる最良の地に導くと。 7それから、こう命じた。『すべての偶像を捨てよ。わたしこそ、おまえたちの神、主だ。エジプトの神々を拝んで身を汚すようなことをしてはならない。』
8だが彼らは、わたしに背いて、いっこうに聞こうとしなかった。偶像を除くことも、エジプトの神々を捨てることもしなかった。それで、彼らがまだエジプトにいる時、わたしは彼らに怒りを注ごうと思った。
9-10しかし結局、そうはしなかった。イスラエルの神は自分の民を守ることもできなかった、とエジプト人にあざ笑われることがないように、わたしの名誉を守ろうとしたからだ。それで、エジプト人の目の前で、わたしの民をエジプトから連れ出し、荒野へ導き入れたのだ。 11そして、その荒野で、彼らにおきてを与えた。そのおきてを守ることによって、彼らが生きるためだった。わたしのおきてを守るなら、だれでも生きる。 12わたしは彼らに安息日（毎週七日目の休息日）を与えた。それは彼らとわたしとの間で、彼らを選び分けて、ほんとうに神の民とするのは、このわたしであることを思い起こさせるしるしだった。
13それなのに、イスラエルはわたしに逆らった。あの荒野で、わたしのおきてに従うことを拒んだのだ。わたしの定めを守るなら真のいのちが与えられるのに、それを守ろうとはしなかった。安息日も悪用した。それで、わたしは怒りを爆発させ、荒野で彼らを滅ぼしてしまおうと考えた。
14しかし、わたしの名誉を守るために、またも思いとどまった。エジプトから彼らを連れ出すのを見ていた国々の民に、主は民を守ることができず滅ぼすことになってしまったと言わせないためだ。 15そこでわたしは彼らに、一度は与えようと思った選ばれた地、乳とみつの流れる地に、彼らを導き入れないことにすると告げた。 16わたしのおきてを鼻であしらい、わたしの願いを無視し、安息日を守らなかった報いだ。彼らの心は偶像に引き寄せられていたのだ。 17それでも、わたしは彼らを惜しんで、荒野で滅ぼすことはしなかった。
18わたしは彼らの子どもたちに警告した。『親と同じ罪を犯してはならない。偶像礼拝で身を汚すな。 19わたしこそ、あなたがたの神である。わたしのおきてを守り、わたしの命令に従え。 20安息日を特別な日として、身も心もきよく過ごすのだ。安息日は、わたしがあなたがたの神、主であることを思い起こさせるために、わたしたちの間に立てた契約のしるしなのだから。』
21しかし、子どもたちもまた、わたしに逆らった。わたしのおきてを守るなら、正しく生きることができるのに、それを拒んだ。安息日も汚した。そこでわたしは言った。『もう限界だ。今すぐ、この荒野で、あなたがたに怒りを注ぎ出す。』 22それでもなお、わたしは彼らを罰せずにおいた。エジプトから彼らを連れ出したわたしの力を見た国々の中で、わたしの名が傷つけられないためだ。 23-24だが、彼らが荒野にいた時、はっきり言い渡した。わたしのおきてを守らず、それをあざ笑うかのように安息日を破り、父たちが拝んだ偶像を慕ったので、地の果てにまで彼らを散らす、と。 25わたしは、彼らが愚かな習慣や教えを取り入れるのを見ても、好きなようにさせておいた。そんなものを守っても、いのちを得ることなどできない。 26わたしは彼らに、自分のやっていることがどんなに恐ろしいことかを知らせ、また、わたしだけが神であることに気づいてほしいと思い、わたしが与えた非常に良いもので、彼らが自分の身を汚すのをそのままにさせた。彼らは、最初に生まれた子どもを偶像にささげて、焼き殺したのだ。
27-28人の子よ、神である主がこう語ると、彼らに告げよ。あなたがたの先祖は、約束の地に導き入れられてからも、高い丘や木の下で、所かまわずいけにえをささげ、香をたいて、いつもわたしを裏切り、冒瀆してはばからなかった。彼らが神々にいけにえをささげた時、わたしの怒りは燃え上がった。事もあろうに、偶像に香をたき、ぶどう酒を注いだからだ。 29そこで、『おまえたちがいけにえをささげに行く場所は何なのだ』と問いただした。それで、そこは今も、『いけにえの高台』と呼ばれている。
刷新される反逆のイスラエル
30神、主は、知りたがっている。あなたがたも先祖のように身を汚し、偶像を拝み続けるつもりなのか。 31現に今、偶像へのささげ物として幼児を焼き殺し、灰にしているのに、イスラエルよ、どうしてあなたがたの願いを聞いて、助けることができるだろうか。」
神である主は語ります。「わたしは生きている。いくら願っても、わたしは何も答えない。 32いくら、回りの国々を見ならって木や石の偶像を拝もうとしても、それはできない。
33わたしが鉄のこぶしを振り上げ、大きな怒りをこめて、おまえたちを治めるからだ。 34憤りをこめた強い力で、散らされていた国々からあなたがたを連れ出し、 35-36荒野にあるわたしの法廷に集め、そこであなたがたをさばく。あなたがたをエジプトから連れ出したあと、荒野でした時のように、反逆者を取り除く。 37あなたがたを念入りに数え上げ、ほんの一握りの者だけをイスラエルに戻す。 38残る大部分の者は、わたしに反逆して罪を犯しているので、みなの間から取り除く。彼らは捕らえられている国から連れ出されるが、イスラエルには入れない。このとおりのことが起こる時、あなたがたは、わたしが神であることを知るようになる。」
39ああ、イスラエルよ。神である主はこう語ります。「そんなにも偶像を拝みたければ拝むがいい。だが、そうするなら、わたしにささげ物を持って来るようなことはしてはならない。そのようなことをして、わたしの聖なる名を汚すようなことはやめよ。」
40主はこう語ります。「わたしの聖なる山エルサレムで、全イスラエルはわたしを礼拝する。その所で、わたしはあなたがたを喜んで迎え、いけにえと最上のささげ物を求めよう。 41わたしがあなたがたを捕囚から連れ戻す時、あなたがた自身がわたしにささげられた良い香りとなる。諸国の民はあなたがたの心に大きな変化が起こったことを知る。 42さらに、わたしが約束した地に連れ戻す時、あなたがたはわたしが主であることを知るようになる。 43その時、自分が犯した罪をことごとく思い起こし、その悪のゆえに自分自身を忌みきらうようになる。 44その悪にもかかわらず、あなたがたを祝福することによって、わたしの名誉を守る時、イスラエルよ、あなたがたはわたしが主であることを知るようになるのだ。」
エルサレムとネゲブへの預言
45さらに、このようなことばが主からありました。 46「人の子よ、エルサレムの方へ顔を向け、エルサレムとネゲブの森に、 47こう預言せよ。神のことばを聞け。ああ、森よ。わたしはおまえに火をつける。生木も枯れ木も、木という木をすべて焼き尽くそう。その燃えさかる炎は消されず、国中を焼け野原とする。 48そしてすべての国々は、主であるわたしが火をつけたことを知るだろう。その火が消されることはない。」
49そこで、私は叫びました。「おお主よ。彼らは私のことを、『なぞをかけるようにしか語らない者』と言っています。」
