Ezekiel 20

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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Ezekiel Chapter 20

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Ezekiel
Date Penned: (571 BC)
Overview: To Announce God's Judgement and Salvation (c 1-5)
Theme: Messages of Doom (c 1-24)
Message: A Reminder of Rebellion (v 1-49)

Ezekiel 20 Commentary

(20:1) Rebellion - Here is a panoramic view of Israel's history of rebellion. The emphasis is on God's attempts to bring the nation back to himself and on his mercy toward his constantly rebellious and disobedient people. Ezekiel gave God's message that the people alone were responsible for the troubles and judgments they had experienced. Those who persisted in rebellion would be purged out (20:38), while God would bring the faithful back into the land of Israel. The reason? So that "ye shall know that I am the LORD" (20:42).

(20:9) God's Character - Why was God concerned about the honor, or sake, of his name? God's name reveals his power, his character, his authority, and the history of his faithfulness to his people. His reputation shows his superiority over all the other gods and nations. When you pray, consider using the various names for God used in Scripture. (See the chart on page 0000 for a list of some of these names.) This will help you better understand who God is and why it is so important to honor his name.

(20:12-13) The Sabbath - The Sabbath, instituted by God at Creation, was entrusted to the people of Israel as a sign that God had created and redeemed them (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy_5:12- 15). This day of rest was a gift from a loving God, not a difficult obligation. But the people repeatedly ignored the Sabbath (see also Ezekiel 20:20-21). The Sabbath was meant to be a reminder that they were God's special people. Today, many Christians celebrate the Lord's Day, Sunday, as their Sabbath. Whatever the day, it is important to fulfill God's purpose for the Sabbath. He wants us to refocus on him, give him worship, rest, enjoy community with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and remember him and how we can relate to him every day of the week.

(20:23-24) Consequences - At the very beginning of Israel's history, God clearly warned the people about the consequences of disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). When the people disobeyed him, God let them experience those devastating consequences to remind them of the seriousness of their sins. If you choose to live for yourself, apart from God, you will also experience destructive consequences. Even through such experiences, however, God may be drawing you to himself. Let your misfortunes bring you to your senses and to our merciful God before it is too late.

(20:25-26) Given Over to Sin - Why would God give the people "statutes that were not good"? This doesn't have to do with any aspect of the law of Moses--Ezekiel reinforced that law (20:11,13, 21). Evidently, the Jews had taken Exodus 13:12 and 22:29, commands about the dedication of firstborn animals and children, as a justification for child sacrifice to the Canaanite god Molech. Sometimes God allows people to continue to sin as part of their punishment. When God sees a person deep in sin, he may use the hardening of his or her heart as part of his judgment. God gave the people over to the delusion they had been believing to eventually jar their consciences, get them to acknowledge him, and revitalize their faith.

(20:31-32) Modern Day Sin - God clearly forbids child sacrifice, but the powers of this world are sacrificing children even today. Due to extreme poverty and starvation, many children are sold into the sex trade as slaves, sometimes even by their parents, while communities and governments look the other way. The health of young children remains the lowest priority in many countries. Millions of unborn children have also been sacrificed on the altar of convenience through abortion. God sees these evil practices and will exact his justice. But we should do everything possible to stand against the abuse and destruction of children and to pray for and help the parents of these children to do what is right.

(20:35:38) Sin's Consequences - When the Israelites disobeyed God by refusing to enter the Promised Land the first time, God chose to purify his people by forcing them to wander in the wilderness until that entire generation had died (Numbers 14:26-35). Here he promised to purge the nation of its rebellious people again as they crossed the vast wilderness from their captivity in Babylon. This would be a new Exodus. Only those who faithfully followed God would be able to return to their land. The purpose of this wilderness judgment would be to purge God's people of all those who worshiped idols and to restore all those faithful to God.

(20:39) Worshiping Idols - The Israelites were worshiping idols and giving gifts to God at the same time! They did not believe in their God as the one true God; instead, they worshiped him along with the other gods of the land. Perhaps they enjoyed the immoral pleasures provided by idol worship, or perhaps they didn't want to miss out on the benefits of fertility and protection that their idols supposedly promised. Often people believe in God and give him tokens such as church attendance, financial donations, and volunteer service while still holding on to their idols of money, power, or pleasure, not wanting to miss out on any possible benefits. But God wants all our lives and all our devotion; he will not share it. Devotion to anything else above devotion to God is idol worship. Beware of trying to keep God pleased while also pursuing the pleasures of sin. You must choose one or the other (see Matthew 6:24).

(20:45-47) The Forest of the South - The "south" is Jerusalem and Judah. The "forest of the south" is the region of the Negev, which is here compared to a forest about to be destroyed by fire.

(20:49) Refusing to Listen - Ezekiel was exasperated and discouraged. Many Israelites were complaining that he spoke only in parables, so they refused to listen. No matter how important our work or how significant our ministry, we will have moments of discouragement. Apparently, God did not answer Ezekiel's plea; instead, he gave Ezekiel another message to proclaim. What has been discouraging you? Have you felt like giving up? Instead, continue doing what God has told you to do. He promises to reward the faithful (Mark 13:13). God's cure for discouragement may be another assignment. Often in serving others we find the renewal we need.

David Burnette's Life Application

There is Hope

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue the Book of Ezekiel with Chapter 20. In our text today we see a reminder of rebellion as Ezekiel gives a panoramic view of Israel's history of rebellion and how God attempts to bring his people back despite their rebellion. In making application we see a reason for hope as God has not given up on you despite how far you have rebelled against God. Today is the day of salvation and we are not promised tomorrow but no matter how far we have found ourselves in sin, our Lord is just a repetitive heart and prayer away. How about you? Are you far from God due to your sin? Let us learn from our text today and the example of Israel to see that no matter how far we find ourselves in sin today we find hope in a God who will forgive and save us.

Ezekiel 20

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Ezekiel 20

¹And 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 enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.

²Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,

³Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

⁴Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:

⁵And 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;

⁶In 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:

⁷Then 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.

⁸But 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.

⁹But 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.

¹⁰Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

¹¹And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.

¹²Moreover 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.

¹³But 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.

¹⁴But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

¹⁵Yet 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;

¹⁶Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.

¹⁷Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.

¹⁸But 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:

¹⁹I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;

²⁰And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.

²¹Notwithstanding 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.

²²Nevertheless 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.

²³I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;

²⁴Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.

²⁵Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;

²⁶And 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.

²⁷Therefore, 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.

²⁸For 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.

²⁹Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name whereof is called Bamah unto this day.

³⁰Wherefore 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?

³¹For 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 enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

³²And 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.

³³As 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:

³⁴And 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.

³⁵And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.

³⁶Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.

³⁷And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:

³⁸And 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.

³⁹As 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.

⁴⁰For 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.

⁴¹I 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.

⁴²And 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.

⁴³And 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.

⁴⁴And 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.

⁴⁵Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

⁴⁶Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;

⁴⁷And 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.

⁴⁸And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.

⁴⁹Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?

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