Who were these 'elders,' and what does it mean that they came to 'inquire of the LORD' through Ezekiel?
The presence of 'elders' signifies a seeking of divine wisdom from the established leadership, or at least those respected within the community. However, the context hints at a complexity beyond a simple desire for God's will.
Leaders and the Exiled Community
- These elders likely represented the exilic community, seeking to understand their national calamities and perhaps hoping for a message of imminent deliverance. They came to Ezekiel, God's chosen prophet, recognizing his unique connection to the LORD.
- The commentaries suggest these weren't just any elders, but figures of some standing, perhaps civil or religious leaders among the exiles. Their coming signifies a need for divine direction, even if their hearts weren't fully aligned with God's purposes.
The Nature of the Inquiry
- While they 'came to inquire of the LORD,' the text implies their hearts might have been predisposed to hear a certain kind of message – one that offered comfort and a quick end to their suffering, rather than a deep reckoning with their sin.
- God's response, as seen in the following verses, addresses the root issues of their rebellion, suggesting that the elders' inquiry, while appearing to seek God, might have been motivated by a desire to confirm their own hopes rather than to truly submit to God's truth.
