EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:1 This lengthy oracle has two main parts: a review of Israel’s history of offending the Lord (vv. Ezekiel 20:1), and a preview of her future restoration (vv. Ezekiel 20:33). (Verse Ezekiel 20:32 is a turning point between the two parts.) ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:5 Israel’s story is told in five broad movements. The author describes the exodus generation first while they were in Egypt (vv. Ezekiel 20:5), then in the exodus itself (vv. Ezekiel 20:9), and then in the wilderness (vv. Ezekiel 20:14). The story of the wilderness generat... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:9 BUT I ACTED FOR THE SAKE OF MY NAME (v. Ezekiel 20:9; see vv. Ezekiel 20:14, Ezekiel 20:22) is one of the repeated themes in Ezekiel. God’s reputation, not Israel’s merit, is the basis for God’s patience and grace. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:22 The STATUTES THAT WERE NOT GOOD AND RULES BY WHICH THEY COULD NOT HAVE LIFE are a mixture of Israelite and pagan customs that the people followed. The fact that they were OFFERING UP ALL THEIR FIRSTBORN in fire (see v. Ezekiel 20:31) is an example of this mixing of beli... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:27 As Ezekiel turns from history to application, life in the land itself is in view for the first time. On worship on the high places (vv. Ezekiel 20:28), see note on 6:3. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:32 This verse acts as a turning point between the history in the preceding passage and the future orientation that follows. It encourages readers to obey the warning of Deuteronomy 28:64. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.le... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:33 As in the exodus, God will bring the people to the desert (v. Ezekiel 20:34). There he will judge between the faithful and the wicked (vv. Ezekiel 20:35). Only the faithful will return home (v. Ezekiel 20:38). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:39 The people must choose between idols and God (v. Ezekiel 20:39). The faithful will turn from their former evil idolatry and will serve God (vv. Ezekiel 20:40, Ezekiel 20:43). Both Israel (v. Ezekiel 20:44) and the nations (v. Ezekiel 20:41) will then recognize God’s glo... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:40 The HOLY MOUNTAIN is the place of God’s renewed presence with his people. This is especially prominent in the latter chapters of Isaiah (e.g., Isaiah 56:7; Isaiah 66:20). Its HEIGHT is celebrated in the psalms about Zion (compare Psalms 48:1). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 20:45 An oracle using the symbolism of fire (Ezekiel 20:45) leads to a series of oracles using the sword as a symbol (ch. Ezekiel 21:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]