English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
Ezekiel 14:7 — English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
for every one of the house of Israel, and of the sojourners who doth sojourn in Israel, who is separated from after Me, and doth cause his idols to go up unto his heart, and the stumbling-block of his iniquity setteth over-against his face, and hath come in unto the prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I, Jehovah, have answered him for Myself;
What Does This Mean?
This verse from Ezekiel says that God will answer those who turn away from Him, worship idols, and still ask for His guidance. God speaks directly to these people, indicating He is aware of their actions and choices. The key message is that God knows everything about us, even when we do wrong.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a best friend, but you keep playing with a toy that makes your friend sad. Even if you ask your friend for help, they still know you're playing with that toy. God is like that best friend, and He knows when we do things that make Him sad.
Historical Background
Ezekiel was a prophet who wrote this during the Babylonian exile around 593-571 BCE. The verse is directed at the Israelites and foreigners living among them, addressing their practices of idol worship and seeking guidance from false prophets.
Living It Out Today
A modern scenario could involve someone who knows they have a bad habit, like excessive social media use, but still asks God for help in their life. God knows about this habit and will answer them directly, reminding us that He sees all our actions.