Ezekiel chapter 20 is a historical review of Israel’s disobedience and rebellion against God. The chapter begins with the elders of Israel coming to the prophet to inquire of the Lord. The Lord then responds to them, questioning why they are seeking his guidance, since they have continually rebelled against him throughout their history.
In verses 1-10, the Lord reminds the elders of Israel of their history, how he brought them out of Egypt and made a covenant with them in the wilderness. The Lord tells them that he had given them laws to follow, but they refused to obey and instead rebelled against him.
The Lord also reminds them that he had promised to bring them into the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, but because of their disobedience and rebellion, they had not been allowed to enter the land. The Lord then declares that he will not allow the current generation to enter the Promised Land either, but that their children will be the ones to inherit it.
This passage highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God. The Israelites were given specific commands by God, but they chose to rebel and pursue their own desires. This resulted in consequences for them and their future generations. The passage also shows God’s mercy and faithfulness, as he still promised to give their descendants the Promised Land despite the disobedience of their ancestors.
Additionally, the passage can serve as a reminder to Christians today of the importance of following God’s commands and living a life that is pleasing to Him. We must recognize that our actions have consequences, and that disobedience to God can lead to negative outcomes in our lives.
Overall, the first ten verses of Ezekiel chapter 20 serve as a historical reminder of Israel’s disobedience and the consequences of their actions. It also serves as a call to obedience and faithfulness to God.
In this section, the Lord reminds the Israelites of their rebelliousness in the wilderness, despite His continual provisions and miracles. He brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, but they still rebelled against Him. Therefore, the Lord swore that they would not enter the land of Canaan, but their children would instead. Verse 11 emphasizes that God’s laws were given to the Israelites not just for obedience’s sake, but for their own good. The laws were intended to promote life and protect them from harm. But the people of Israel rejected God’s laws and chose to live according to their own desires, which led to their downfall. Verses 12-13 remind the Israelites of God’s Sabbath laws, which were meant to be a sign of their covenant with Him. However, the Israelites also rebelled against the Sabbath, profaning it and refusing to honor it. This was a major offense to God, and it showed that they did not truly value their relationship with Him.
Verses 14-16 recount God’s mercy towards the Israelites despite their rebellion. He did not destroy them completely, but instead showed them mercy and grace. He did this to uphold His own name, which would have been profaned among the nations if He had completely destroyed the Israelites. Verses 17-18 reveal that even after all of God’s mercy and grace towards them, the Israelites still rebelled against Him. They worshiped idols and engaged in other wicked practices, which ultimately led to their exile in Babylon. Finally, in verses 19-20, the Lord promises to restore the Israelites to their land and bless them once again, but only if they turn away from their wickedness and obey His laws. This restoration is conditional on their obedience, and it is a reminder that God’s grace and mercy are always available to those who repent and turn back to Him.
Overall, this passage shows God’s continual faithfulness to His people, despite their repeated rebelliousness and sin. It also emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s laws, which are intended to promote life and protect us from harm. Finally, it reveals God’s mercy and grace towards those who repent and turn back to Him, even after repeated disobedience.
Verse 21 begins with God recalling how He had commanded the people of Israel to keep His statutes and laws, but they had not obeyed. Instead, they had followed the practices of the nations around them, which were detestable in God’s sight. In verse 22, God says that despite His desire to punish them, He relented so that His name would not be profaned among the nations who had witnessed His deliverance of Israel from Egypt. In verses 23-26, God reminds the elders of how He had sworn to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt and give them the land of Canaan as their own. He had promised to be their God, but they had rebelled against Him and refused to follow His commands. Despite this, God had shown them mercy and not completely destroyed them, but had instead disciplined them in the wilderness. In verse 27, God again laments how the people of Israel had rebelled against Him and followed the practices of the surrounding nations, even offering sacrifices to their gods on high hills and under spreading trees. In verses 28-29, God warns the elders that they will be judged for their idolatry and disobedience, and that they will be brought to account for their sins. Verse 30 ends this section with God declaring that He will be Israel’s judge, and that He will punish those who have rebelled against Him. However, He also promises to gather His people from the nations where they have been scattered and bring them back to the land of Israel.
Overall, this passage emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the consequences of disobedience. It also highlights God’s mercy and grace towards His people, even in the face of their repeated faithlessness.
In terms of application, this passage reminds us to be faithful and obedient to God, even when it may be difficult or unpopular. It also encourages us to trust in God’s mercy and grace, knowing that He is a God of second chances who desires to gather His people to Himself. Additionally, this passage serves as a warning against idolatry and following the practices of the world, reminding us that we are called to be set apart and holy unto God.
In this section, God continues to rebuke the Israelites for their idolatry and disobedience. He reminds them of their ancestors’ worship of false gods and their refusal to obey His commands, leading to their exile in Babylon. God then tells them that He will judge them and punish them for their sins, but that He will also show them mercy and restore them if they repent. Verse 31 begins with God addressing the Israelites as “house of Israel,” emphasizing their identity as His chosen people. He accuses them of following the practices of their ancestors in worshipping idols, even though He had warned them not to do so. God asks them how they can expect to be accepted by Him when they continue to defile themselves with these practices. In verses 32-35, God declares that He will not be appeased by their superficial attempts at worship. He condemns their use of child sacrifices and their continued idolatry, stating that they will be judged for their disobedience. He also reminds them that they will not be able to call on Him for help when they are in trouble, as He will not listen to their pleas. Verses 36-38 show God’s anger and judgment against the Israelites, as He promises to scatter them among the nations and purge them of their rebellious ways. However, in verse 39, God also promises to gather them back to their homeland and restore them to His favor if they repent and turn back to Him. Finally, in verses 40, God commands Ezekiel to speak to the Israelites and tell them that He will judge them according to their deeds. He emphasizes that this judgment will be fair and just, and that they will know that He is the Lord when it comes to pass.
This passage can be seen as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the dangers of idolatry and sin. It also highlights God’s justice and mercy, as He promises both punishment for sin and forgiveness for those who repent. As believers, we can take this as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to God, and to seek forgiveness when we fall short.
41 As a pleasing aroma I will accept you when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will be proved holy through you in the sight of the nations. 42 Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your ancestors. 43 There you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done. 44 You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
45 The word of the Lord came to me: 46 “Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest of the southland. 47 Say to the southern forest: ‘Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to set fire to you, and it will consume all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north will be scorched by it. 48 Everyone will see that I the Lord have kindled it; it will not be quenched.’”
49 Then I said, “Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?’”
In these verses, God promises to bring the Israelites back to their homeland and make a pleasing aroma of them. They will be gathered from the nations and countries where they have been scattered, and God will be proven holy through them in the sight of other nations. This gathering of Israelites will help them understand that the Lord is the one who brought them to the land of Israel, which he had promised to their ancestors.
Furthermore, when they return, they will remember their conduct and all the actions that defiled them, and they will feel remorseful for all the evil they have done. They will know that the Lord is the one who deals with them for his name’s sake and not according to their evil ways and corrupt practices. In verses 45-48, God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy against the southern forest and set it on fire, consuming all the trees, both green and dry. This blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north will be scorched by it. The purpose of this prophesy is to show that the Lord is the one who kindled the fire, and it will not be quenched.
Finally, in verse 49, Ezekiel expresses his concern about how people view him, thinking that he is just telling parables. This could imply that some people are not taking his prophesies seriously or believe that they are just stories or metaphors. In terms of application, these verses remind us that God is a just and holy God who deals with us according to his name’s sake, not according to our evil ways and corrupt practices. We should take sin seriously and recognize the need for repentance and change in our lives. The gathering of the Israelites also demonstrates God’s faithfulness to his promises, even when his people have turned away from him. As for Ezekiel’s concern about being viewed as just telling parables, it serves as a reminder that we should take God’s word seriously and not dismiss it as mere stories or metaphors.
Cross References:
- Ezekiel 20:8 – “But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt.” This is similar to other passages in the Old Testament that recount Israel’s persistent idolatry and disobedience. See Exodus 32:1-35; Numbers 14:1-45.
- Ezekiel 20:11 – “I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live.” This echoes the idea of obedience to God’s laws as a source of life found in other parts of the Old Testament. See Leviticu犀利士 s 18:5; Deuteronomy 4:1-2.
- Ezekiel 20:20 – “Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us.” This is similar to the commandment to observe the Sabbath found in the Ten Commandments. See Exodus 20:8-11.
- Ezekiel 20:37-38 – “I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.” This imagery of passing under the rod is similar to the metaphor of a shepherd tending his flock found in other parts of the Old Testament. See Psalm 23:1-4; Jeremiah 31:10.