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Ezekiel 20 The Judgment of Jerusalem

1 Rebellious Israel
In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and they sat down in front of me.

2 Then the word of the Lord came to me:

3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Have you come to inquire of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me, declares the Sovereign Lord.’

4 “Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their fathers

5 and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the descendants of the house of Jacob and revealed myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, “I am the Lord your God.”

6 On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.

7 And I said to them, “Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

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. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.

9 But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations they lived among and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites by bringing them out of Egypt.

10 Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the desert.

11 I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them.

12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.

13 “‘Yet the people of Israel rebelled against me in the desert. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws—although the man who obeys them will live by them—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and destroy them in the desert.

14 But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

15 Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the desert that I would not bring them into the land I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, most beautiful of all lands—

16 because they rejected my laws and did not follow my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths. For their hearts were devoted to their idols.

17 Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or put an end to them in the desert.

18 I said to their children in the desert, “Do not follow the statutes of your fathers or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols.

19 I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

20 Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”

21 “‘But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws—although the man who obeys them will live by them—and they desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in the desert.

22 But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

23 Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the desert that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries,

24 because they had not obeyed my laws but had rejected my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths, and their eyes lusted after their fathers’ idols.

25 I also gave them over to statutes that were not good and laws they could not live by;

26 I let them become defiled through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn—that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I am the Lord.’

27 “Therefore, son of man, speak to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In this also your fathers blasphemed me by forsaking me:

28 When I brought them into the land I had sworn to give them and they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, made offerings that provoked me to anger, presented their fragrant incense and poured out their drink offerings.

29 Then I said to them: What is this high place you go to?’” (It is called Bamah to this day.)

30 Judgment and Restoration
“Therefore say to the house of Israel: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did and lust after their vile images?

31 When you offer your gifts—the sacrifice of your sons in the fire—you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. Am I to let you inquire of me, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will not let you inquire of me.

32 “‘You say, “We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone.” But what you have in mind will never happen.

33 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will rule over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.

34 I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.

35 I will bring you into the desert of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you.

36 As I judged your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign Lord.

37 I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.

38 I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

39 “‘As for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols.

40 For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land the entire house of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.

41 I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will show myself holy among 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 fathers.

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, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

45 Prophecy Against the South
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, “Ah, Sovereign Lord! They are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?’”

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Analysis of Ezekiel Chapter 20

In Ezekiel Chapter 20, we encounter a vivid portrayal of God’s frustration and disappointment with the Israelites. This chapter encapsulates a significant prophetic message, functioning both as a historical recounting and a divine reprimand. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God lays out a case against the children of Israel, highlighting their recurrent disobedience and idolatry despite His continued mercy and guidance. Let’s delve into a detailed analysis of this profound chapter.

Verses 1-4: The Elders’ Inquiry and God’s Response

The chapter begins with a group of Israelite elders approaching Ezekiel to “inquire of the Lord.” This occurred in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day, marking a specific historical context approximately 591/592 B.C. This period was one of exile and turmoil for Israel.

God’s response via Ezekiel is immediate and stern. Instead of entertaining their inquiry, God questions the very legitimacy of their seeking Him: “Have you come to inquire of Me…?” (v.3). This rhetorical question underscores the Lord’s frustration with the insincerity of their approach. It suggests a pattern where the leaders of Israel only turn to God in times of distress, without genuine repentance or commitment to His statutes.

Verses 5-9: The Rebellion in Egypt

God instructs Ezekiel to remind the elders of their historical disobedience, beginning with their time in Egypt. He recalls how He revealed Himself to the Israelites by making Himself known to them and calling them His people (v.5). The covenant established with them was meant to draw them out of Egypt, symbolizing their transition from bondage to divine freedom. However, their rebellious nature manifested early when they continued their idolatrous practices.

Despite God’s command to rid themselves of Egyptian idols (v.7), they defied Him. His decision to “pour out My fury on them” (v.8) indicates the gravity of their rebellion. Nevertheless, for the sake of His name and to prevent its profanation among the nations, He chose instead to lead them out with a mighty hand, showcasing His mercy and desire to preserve His covenant (v.9). This act also highlights the intersection of justice and grace in God’s character.

Verses 10-17: The Wilderness Wanderings

God continues recounting the journey of the Israelites, emphasizing their time in the wilderness. He stresses the significance of giving them statutes and judgments, which they were to follow for their own well-being (v.11). Particularly, He highlights the Sabbath: “Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them” (v.12).

The Sabbath was meant to be a perpetual reminder of the covenant and God’s sanctifying power. However, the Israelites’ history in the wilderness was marred with continual rebellion and disregard for God’s commandments (v.13). The decision to enact a forty-year wandering as a form of judgment (v.15) was a direct consequence of this insolence, showing the seriousness with which God regarded His statutes.

Even in this phase, God’s mercy was evident. While He expressed anger and contemplated their complete eradication, He refrained for the sake of His name, thus maintaining His covenant and keeping His promises (v.17).

Verses 18-26: The Rebellion of the Second Generation

The narrative progresses to detail the actions of the subsequent generation. Despite seeing the consequences of their predecessors’ disobedience, they too followed a similar path. God emphatically reproached them, urging them to adhere to His statutes (v.18), yet their defiance continued, leading to dire consequences (v.21).

The complexity of God’s relationship with the second generation underscores His continuing efforts to guide and reform His people. His decisions to allow them to be led “by the way of the Gentiles” (v.23) were meant to chastise and hopefully restore them. The allowance to follow statutes ‘not good’ and judgments ‘by which they could not live’ (v.25) highlights the principle of divine judgment—God sometimes permits circumstances that expose the folly of a rebellious heart, bringing about a realization and repentance.

Verses 27-29: The Treachery in the Promised Land

Even upon entering the Promised Land—a place of fulfillment of God’s promises—the Israelites persisted in their rebellious ways, especially in the high places, engaging in idolatrous practices (v.28). The phrase “They also committed blasphemies against Me” (v.27) encapsulates their ongoing betrayal and provides a basis for the recurring theme of God’s judgment interwoven with His patient endurance for the sake of His covenant.

Verses 30-38: The Current Generation’s Rebellion and Judgment

The message transitions back to the contemporary generation addressed by Ezekiel. Here, God frankly exposes their continued idolatry and disobedience, questioning their hypocritical intent to seek Him while indulging in abominable practices (v.31). He reasserts His refusal to be inquired of by a sham repenter (v.31).

God lays out a prophetic declaration of judgment: He will rule over them ‘with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm’ (v.33), illustrating His sovereign control and forthcoming discipline. This imagery evokes both the former deliverance from Egypt and future deliverance through correction.

Moreover, He promises a process of purging and refinement, where He will ‘bring you into the bond of the covenant’ in a place symbolized as “the wilderness of the peoples” (v.35-36). This signifies a re-establishment of a purified relationship, where rebellious elements will be systematically removed, a necessary precursor to genuine restoration.

Verses 39-44: A Promise of Restoration

Despite the heavy judgments, God’s ultimate goal remains redemptive. He calls the people to abandon their idols once and for all (v.39), hinting at a future where worship is pure and sincere. The vision of a restored Israel includes re-establishing them in their land with heartfelt worship: “…and there I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings…” (v.40).

This promise of restoration reaffirms God’s unchanging purpose: to sanctify His people and manifest His holiness (v.41). When Israel’s restoration is complete, they will recognize the magnitude of their past transgressions and the mercy of God that facilitated their redemption. This hope and divine mercy should serve to inspire genuine repentance and unwavering faithfulness among the people (v.44).

Verses 45-49: Prophecy Against the South

The chapter concludes with a specific prophecy against the southern regions—Judah and Jerusalem. Ezekiel is commanded to set his face toward the south and prophesy against it (v.46). The imagery of a devouring fire symbolizes forthcoming judgments that will indiscriminately affect both the “green tree” and the “dry tree” (v.47), representing a comprehensive judgment affecting all strata of society.

Ezekiel’s role as a prophet is further underscored when the people dismiss his messages as parables (v.49). This response reveals the people’s spiritual dullness and their inability to recognize the urgency and seriousness of God’s impending judgments.

Conclusion

Ezekiel Chapter 20 is a profound tapestry of divine justice, mercy, and enduring hope. Through a detailed historical recounting, God exposes the continuous pattern of Israel’s rebellion and His persistent efforts to guide and restore them. Each section of this chapter illustrates the gravity of disobedience while underscoring the depth of God’s commitment to His covenant. The chapter offers a rich, multifaceted perspective on the divine-human relationship, emphasizing the necessity of genuine repentance and the hope of ultimate restoration.

In sum, Ezekiel 20 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of aligning with God’s statutes, the perils of idolatry and rebellion, and the boundless mercy that God extends to those who turn back to Him with sincere hearts. The intricate balance between judgment and grace, so vividly portrayed in this chapter, offers a powerful message for all generations, encouraging a deeper understanding and adherence to the divine will.