Ezekiel 20

Israel’s Rebellion in Egypt

1 In the seventh year, fifth month, tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to ask the LORD something, and they sat down in front of me.

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

3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to ask Me something, As I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I will not let you consult Me.’

4 Will you judge them, son of man, Will you judge them, Make them know the disgusting acts of their fathers.

5 Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. I swore to them, saying, “I am the LORD your God.”

6 On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land 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 I said to them, “Each of you throw away the disgusting idols you are drawn to, 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. They did not throw away the disgusting idols they were drawn to, and they did not abandon the idols of Egypt. So I decided to pour out My wrath on them and spend My anger against them in the land of Egypt.

9 But I acted for the sake of My name, so it would not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.

Rebellion in the Wilderness

10 So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.

11 I gave them My statutes and made My ordinances known to them, by which a man will live if he carries them out.

12 I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between Me and them, so they would know that I am the LORD who sets them apart.

13 But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not walk in My statutes and rejected My ordinances, by which a man will live if he carries them out, and they greatly profaned My Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out My wrath on them in the wilderness to wipe them out.

14 But I acted for the sake of My name, so it would not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.

15 Still, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands,

16 because they rejected My ordinances, did not walk in My statutes, and profaned My Sabbaths, for their hearts went after their idols.

17 Yet My eye spared them, and I did not destroy them or put an end to them in the wilderness.

18 Then I said to their children in the wilderness, “Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.

19 I am the LORD your God. Walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and carry them out.

20 Keep My Sabbaths holy, so they will be a sign between Me and you, and you will know that I am the LORD your God.”

21 But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes, were not careful to carry out My ordinances, by which a man will live if he carries them out, and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out My wrath on them and spend My anger against them in the wilderness.

22 But I held back My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so it would not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.

23 Still, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and spread them through the lands,

24 because they did not carry out My ordinances, rejected My statutes, profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes chased after their fathers’ idols.

25 I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live.

26 I defiled them through their gifts, by making them pass all their firstborn through the fire, so I could devastate them, so they would know that I am the LORD.

Defilement and Judgment

27 Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: In this too your fathers blasphemed Me by acting unfaithfully against Me.

28 When I brought them into the land I swore to give them, they saw every high hill and every leafy tree, and there they offered their sacrifices, provoked Me with their offerings, sent up pleasing aromas, and poured out their drink offerings.

29 So I said to them, “What is this high place you go to?” So it is called Bamah to this day.’

30 Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did and prostitute yourselves with their disgusting practices,

31 When you offer your gifts and make your sons pass through the fire, you keep defiling yourselves with all your idols to this day. Should I let you consult Me, house of Israel, As I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I will not let you consult Me.’

32 What you are thinking will never happen when you say, “We will be like the nations, like the families of the lands, serving wood and stone.”

The LORD Will Rule

33 “As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “surely with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and poured-out wrath, I will rule over you.

34 I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you were scattered, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and poured-out wrath.

35 I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples and enter into judgment with you there face to face.

36 Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you,” declares the Lord GOD.

37 “I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.

38 I will purge from you the rebels and those who transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land where they live, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

39 As for you, house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go serve your idols, each one of you, if you will not listen to Me, but afterward you will surely listen to Me and will no longer profane My holy name with your gifts and idols.

40 For on My holy mountain, on the high mountain of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD, “there the whole house of Israel, all of them, will serve Me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the best of your gifts, with all your holy things.

41 As a pleasing aroma I will accept you when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you were scattered. 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 swore to give to your fathers.

43 There you will remember your ways and all your deeds by which you defiled yourselves, and you will hate yourselves for all the evil you committed.

44 Then you will know that I am the LORD when I deal with you for My name’s sake, not according to your evil ways or corrupt deeds, house of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD.

A Fire in the South

45 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

46 “Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.

47 Say to the forest of the south, ‘Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to light a fire in you, and it will burn every green tree and every dry tree in you. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north will be scorched by it.

48 All flesh will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it. It will not be quenched.’”

49 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! They are saying about me, ‘Is he not just speaking in riddles?’”