CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Ezekiel 20
Chapter 20 of 48
Chapter Overview
What happens in Ezekiel 20
Some elders come to Ezekiel to ask God for guidance, but God refuses to be questioned by them. Instead, God recounts Israel's long history of rebellion, from Egypt to the present. Despite their constant disobedience, God restrained his anger for the sake of his own name. He promises a future restoration after a time of purging.
Scripture
Ezekiel 20
God Refuses to Be Questioned
Study note
In the seventh year of exile (about 591 BC), some elders came to ask Ezekiel for a word from God. But God refused to answer them, telling Ezekiel to confront them with the disgusting practices of their ancestors instead. This was the third time elders came to Ezekiel, and each time God exposed their hypocrisy.
1 During the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day, several Israelite elders came looking for guidance from the Lord. They sat down in front of me. And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
2 Then the Lord's message came to me. Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
3 "Son of man, confront the elders of Israel with this message from the Lord God: Are you here to consult me? I swear on my life, I refuse to be consulted by you, says the Lord God." Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to inquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.
4 "Will you confront them? Will you hold them accountable, son of man? Then lay out before them the disgusting things their ancestors did." Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
Rebellion in Egypt
Study note
God reviewed history, starting with Egypt. When he chose Israel and swore to bring them to a beautiful land, he also told them to throw away their Egyptian idols. But they refused. God was about to pour out his anger on them right there in Egypt, but he held back for the sake of his own name, so the other nations would not think he was unable to keep his promises.
5 Tell them: The Lord God says, "On the day I chose Israel, I raised my hand and made a solemn oath to the descendants of Jacob. I revealed myself to them in Egypt and swore, 'I am the Lord your God.'" And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
6 "That same day I promised to bring them out of Egypt. I would take them into a land I had picked for them myself. It was a land overflowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful land anywhere." In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
7 "I told them, 'Each of you must throw away the disgusting idols you have been looking to for help. Do not pollute yourselves with Egypt's gods. I am the Lord your God.'" Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
8 "But they defied me and would not listen. Not one of them tossed out their revolting idols or abandoned Egypt's gods. I was about to unleash my full anger on them there in Egypt." But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9 "But I held back to protect my own reputation, so my name would not be disgraced in front of the nations where they lived. After all, I had publicly revealed myself to Israel by promising to bring them out of Egypt." But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
Rebellion in the Wilderness
Study note
God brought Israel out of Egypt and gave them his laws and Sabbaths, which were a sign of the special relationship between God and Israel. But the first generation rejected his laws in the wilderness. God planned to destroy them but again held back for his name's sake. He told the second generation not to follow their parents' ways, but they also rebelled. God considered scattering them among the nations but relented. He even gave them over to follow bad laws that would not bring life.
10 "So I brought them out of Egypt and led them into the wilderness." Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
11 "There I gave them my rules and taught them my laws -- the very laws that give life to anyone who follows them." And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
12 "I also gave them my Sabbath days as a special sign between us. This would help them always remember that I, the Lord, had set them apart as my own." Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
13 "But Israel defied me in the wilderness. They ignored my rules and rejected my life-giving laws. They treated my Sabbaths with contempt. So I was about to pour out my fury and destroy them there in the desert." But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
14 "But I held back again to protect my good name among the nations that had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt." But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
15 "But I did swear an oath in the desert. I vowed not to bring them into the fine land. It was a land flowing with milk and honey. I had promised it to them." Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
16 "I did this because they threw out my laws, ignored my rules, and disrespected my Sabbaths. Their hearts were completely devoted to their idols." Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
17 "Yet even then, I felt sorry for them and did not wipe them out. I did not finish them off in the wilderness." Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
18 "Instead, I warned their children in the wilderness: 'Do not follow your parents' example. Do not adopt their customs. Do not pollute yourselves with their idols.'" But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
19 "'I am the Lord your God. Live by my rules, obey my laws, and follow them.'" I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
20 "'Honor my Sabbath days and keep them holy. They will be the sign of our relationship, reminding you that I am the Lord your God.'" And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
21 "But the children rebelled against me too. They did not follow my rules or obey my life-giving laws. They treated my Sabbaths with contempt. So once more I was about to unleash my anger on them in the wilderness." Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
22 "But again I held back to protect my reputation among the nations that had watched me bring them out of Egypt." Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.
23 "But I did swear in the desert that I would scatter them among other nations and spread them across faraway lands." I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
24 "I made that promise because they rejected my laws and ignored my rules. They treated my Sabbaths with scorn. They kept staring at their parents' idols." Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
25 "I even let them adopt rules that were not good and laws that could not bring them life." Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
26 "I allowed them to defile themselves through their offerings -- even the sacrifice of their firstborn children in fire. My purpose was to fill them with horror so they would finally recognize that I am the Lord." And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.
Rebellion in the Promised Land
Study note
Even after entering the Promised Land, the people continued to provoke God by sacrificing on every high hill and under every green tree. They named these worship sites 'Bamah' (meaning 'high place'), and the name stuck. Now the current generation was doing the same disgusting things as their ancestors. God refused to answer their questions while they continued in the same pattern of rebellion.
27 "So, son of man, give this word from the Lord God to Israel. Your fathers kept on insulting me. They never stopped being unfaithful." Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
28 "After I brought them into the land I had promised to give them, they saw every high hill and leafy tree and right away set up their offerings and insulting gifts there. They burned sweet incense and poured out their drink offerings at those places." For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.
29 "I challenged them: 'What is this hilltop shrine you keep visiting?' Therefore these places are still called 'high places' today." Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.
30 "So tell the Israelites the Lord God says: Are you truly going to defile yourselves the exact same way your ancestors did? Are you going to chase after their same disgusting idols?" Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?
31 "When you offer gifts and sacrifice your children in fire, you are defiling yourselves with all your idols to this very day. And you have the nerve to come consult me? I swear on my life, says the Lord God: I will not be consulted by you." For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.
32 "And forget that plan forming in your minds. You say, 'We want to be just like the other nations -- like people everywhere who worship gods of wood and stone.' That will never happen." And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
God Promises a Future Restoration
Study note
God promised that he would become king over his people with a mighty hand. He would bring them out of the nations where they had been scattered into a 'wilderness of the peoples' where he would judge them face to face, just as he judged the first generation in the wilderness after Egypt. He would purge out the rebels, and the purified people would serve God on his holy mountain. They would finally be ashamed of their past sins.
33 "I swear on my life, says the Lord God: I will rule over you with a strong grip, a powerful arm, and my anger poured out in full." As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
34 "With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, I will pour out my anger. I will pull you out from the nations. I will gather you from the countries where you were scattered." And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 "I will bring you into a wilderness encounter among the peoples and judge you there, face to face." And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36 "Just as I judged your ancestors in the wilderness near Egypt, I will judge you too, says the Lord God." Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
37 "I will count you one by one, like a shepherd inspecting sheep, and bind you to the terms of my covenant." And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
38 "I will weed out the rebels and everyone who sins against me. I will bring them out of the countries where they live, but they will never enter the land of Israel. Then you will understand that I am the Lord." And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
39 "As for you, people of Israel, the Lord God says: Fine -- go serve your idols, every last one of you! But eventually you will listen to me and stop dragging my holy name through the mud with your offerings and idols." As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
40 "On my holy mountain, on the great mountain of Israel, says the Lord God, the entire nation of Israel will serve me in the land. I will accept them there. I will require your offerings and the finest of your gifts along with all your holy contributions." For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
41 "I will receive you like the fragrance of a pleasing sacrifice when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you were scattered. Through you, I will demonstrate my holiness for all the nations to see." I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
42 "Then you will know that I am the Lord. I will bring you home to Israel — the very land I promised to give your ancestors." And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
43 "Once there, you will look back on how you lived. You will see every evil thing you did. You will be sick to your stomachs over it all." And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
44 "Then you will know that I am the Lord. I dealt with you for the honor of my name. I did not treat you the way your wicked behavior and corrupt ways deserved, people of Israel," says the Lord God. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Fire in the South
Study note
God told Ezekiel to prophesy against the south (the Negev forest), saying he would set it on fire and the flames would not be put out. This was a picture of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, which lay south of Babylon. Ezekiel complained that people dismissed him as someone who only spoke in riddles and parables.
45 The Lord spoke to me. Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
46 "Son of man, face the south and deliver a message against it. Prophesy against the forested land of the south." Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
47 "Tell the southern forest: Listen to the Lord's message! The Lord God says: I am about to light a fire in you that will burn up every tree -- both the living green ones and the dead dry ones. The raging blaze will not be put out, and it will scorch every face from south to north." And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
48 "Everyone will see that I, the Lord, started that fire. It will burn until nothing can stop it." And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
49 Then I cried out, "Oh Lord God! The people are already complaining about me, saying, 'He speaks in riddles and stories!'" Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
Key Themes
Themes in Ezekiel 20
Israel's history of rebellionGod's patience and mercyThe holiness of God's nameGod's plan to restore
Apply This Today
Living Ezekiel 20
God's review of Israel's history shows a pattern: human failure met by divine patience. God did not abandon His people even when they repeatedly rebelled. This gives us confidence that God's commitment to us is based on His character, not our performance.
Go Deeper
Study Ezekiel in Covenant Path
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