John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 14:4

"Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Every man of the house of Israel that taketh his idols into his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I Jehovah will answer him therein according to the multitude of his idols;" — Ezekiel 14:4 (ASV)

Here God seems to treat those hypocrites too indulgently who pretend to ask His advice and yet despise His counsel. But God here rather threatens what would be destructive to the wicked than promises anything which they ought to expect. It is indeed a singular testimony of God’s grace when He answers us, for prophecy is an image of God’s fatherly concern for us and our salvation.

But sometimes prophecy only ends in destruction, and this is merely an incidental outcome. Although, therefore, God’s word by itself is naturally to be greatly desired, yet when God answers as a judge and takes away all hope of pardon and pity, no taste of His favor can then be perceived.

Thus this passage must be understood. God pronounces that He would answer, but whom? The reprobate, and those who tauntingly inquired of the Prophet what they should do. When He answers them, He only shows Himself as the avenger of their treachery; and thus His answer contains nothing else but the fearful judgment which hangs over all the reprobate.

For God does not here impose a perpetual law on Himself; for He does not always act in the same way towards all the reprobate. Instead, He says that those impious ones should realize they will not profit by their cunning and deceptions, since they will discover the difference between God and Satan.

For they were accustomed to lies and had itching ears; therefore, they wished to have some pleasing and flattering answer from the servant of God, as the false prophets gratified their inclinations.

What then does God say? I will answer them, but far differently than they either wish or desire, for I will answer them according to the multitude of their idols. For they bring with them the material for their own condemnation. Therefore, they will take back nothing from Me but the seal of that condemnation which is already placed upon their hearts and appears on their hands.

In short, God here laughs at the foolish confidence of those who inquire about future events of His prophets. Meanwhile, their hearts are bound up with superstitions, so they openly show their gross impiety. Therefore, He says that He would answer them, not as they thought, but as they deserved.