Ezekiel 8:18, commentary and pictures

The declaration is God's answer in the vision given to Ezekiel in the sixth year of Zedekiah, uttered by the glorious Being who stood with him after uncovering the abominations being practiced in Jerusalem and inside the gate and courts of the house of the Lord. It comes as the climax of that guided showing, not as an isolated threat, but as the announced divine response to what had just been revealed.

The evils that drew it forth were chambers of portrayed idols of creeping things and beasts, and seventy elders of Israel burning incense in hidden rooms while claiming the Lord does not see them and has forsaken the land. With these were women mourning for Tammuz, and about twenty-five men standing between the porch and the altar with their backs toward the temple worshiping the sun toward the east. By such acts Judah filled the land with violence, repeatedly provoked God to anger, and put the branch to the nose.

For these things God declares He will deal in fury, with His eye not sparing and with no pity. Though they cry in His ears with a loud voice for help, He will not hear them.