Ezekiel 11:13

In his vision Ezekiel saw Pelatiah ("Yahweh rescues" or "Yahweh provides escape") die (cf. Ezekiel 11:1). Evidently Pelatiah really did die in Jerusalem when Ezekiel saw this vision or shortly after that. Ezekiel was able to see this real event happening in Jerusalem. This was a sign that God would judge the people as He had said.

"Because Pelatiah’s name means ’the Lord rescues,’ perhaps Ezekiel saw his death as an ironic and bad omen." [Note: Chisholm, p. 245. See also Allen, p. 163.]

Pelatiah’s death greatly affected Ezekiel (cf. Acts 5:5). He wondered if God would deliver anyone in Jerusalem. He fell on his face before the Lord and asked Him if He was going to destroy the godly remnant of the nation as well as the wicked (cf. Ezekiel 9:8). The compassion of Ezekiel came out again as he saw God judging the sinful Jews of Jerusalem.

"Perhaps Ezekiel felt that Pelatiah’s sudden death signaled a decision by God that there would be no remnant, hence his cry, ’Will you completely destroy the remnant of Israel?’ (Ezekiel 11:13)." [Note: Cooper, p. 141.]

All societies tend to put in leadership or allow to rise to leadership individuals who reflect, appeal to, and will carry out the expectations and values of the majority. These judgments on Israel’s leaders view them as reflections of and manifestations of a corrupt society. Ezekiel saw in the death of its leaders the death of all the people, whom the leaders represented.