Ezekiel 7:19

19. Their gold shall be removed Literally, shall be an impurity.

Is the stumbling-block Literally, was. The meaning seems to be that it is the rich men of the city who are now seeking most anxiously to escape. But the rich men, who have previously depended upon their wealth to help them out of every difficulty, will find their money now an impediment; they will drop it in the streets, as they fly from the city and count it an abhorrence (Ezekiel 36:17). It is of no value in obtaining the luxuries of life, or even food (see 2 Kings 6:25), and probably is a hindrance in obtaining help in the flight. Brotherhood, not money, is the only thing that wins assistance in such hours.

Because it is the stumbling-block The love of money led to the oppression of the poor, and the possession of it led them away from the simplicity of Jehovah worship into the luxurious manners and worship of the heathen. They stumbled then over a golden idol into guilt; they will now stumble over the same golden idol into punishment.