Ezekiel Reinforces the Law
February 4, 2021
Commentary
At the very beginning of Israel’s history, God clearly warned the people about the consequences of disobedience (Duet. 28:15). When the people disobeyed, God let them experience many devastating consequences, to remind them of the seriousness of their sins. The second generation continued in the same path as their parents (vv. 17-24). Again, the Lord did not consume them, because of His mercy. Though this generation did enter the land, the Lord predicted dispersion from it. This was, and has been, carried out several times in Israel’s history. Never is the Lord to be held responsible for leading anyone into sin (Jam 1:13). However, He does allow the rebellious sinner to go his way and receive the wages of sin (Rom 1:24, 26, 28; 6:23).
Why would God give them laws that weren’t good (vv. 25-26)? This doesn’t refer to any aspect of the Mosaic law. Instead Ezekiel is reinforcing the law. Evidently the Jews had taken the dedication of the firstborn animals and children (Ex. 13:12) as a justification for child sacrifice. God was giving them over to the delusion of their minds to get them to acknowledge Him and to jar their consciences. Israel blasphemed God by taking the very things they should have offered to Him, such as blood sacrifice, incense, and gifts; and offered them to false gods that they adopted when entering the land (vv. 27-28). They polluted themselves with all their idols (vv. 27-28). They were doing the very same thing their forefathers had done, and God had dealt with them. Now judgment must take place.
Application
If I choose to live for myself, apart from God, I may experience some very destructive consequences. However, even through such consequences, God can use these things to draw me to Himself. May every circumstance of my life bring me to my senses and to our merciful God before it is too late.
Ezekiel 20:17– 32 (NET)
17 Yet I had pity on them and did not destroy them, so I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.
18 “‘But I said to their children in the wilderness, “Do not follow the practices of your fathers; do not observe their regulations, nor defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God; follow my statutes, observe my regulations, and carry them out. 20 Treat my Sabbaths as holy and they will be a reminder of our relationship, and then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” 21 But the children rebelled against me, did not follow my statutes, did not observe my regulations by carrying them out (the one who obeys them will live by them), and desecrated my Sabbaths. I decided to pour out my rage on them and fully vent my anger against them in the wilderness. 22 But I refrained from doing so and acted instead for the sake of my reputation, so that I would not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. 23 I also swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands. 24 I did this because they did not observe my regulations, they rejected my statutes, they desecrated my Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their fathers’ idols. 25 I also gave them decrees that were not good and regulations by which they could not live. 26 I declared them to be defiled because of their sacrifices —they caused all their firstborn to pass through the fire —so that I might devastate them, so that they would know that I am the Lord.’
27 “Therefore, speak to the house of Israel, son of man, and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In this way too your fathers blasphemed me when they were unfaithful to me. 28 I brought them to the land that I swore to give them, but whenever they saw any high hill or leafy tree, they offered their sacrifices there and presented the offerings that provoked me to anger. They offered their soothing aroma there and poured out their drink offerings. 29 So I said to them, “What is this high place you go to?”’ (So it is called “High Place” to this day.)
30 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will you defile yourselves like your fathers and engage in prostitution with detestable idols? 31 When you present your sacrifices —when you make your sons pass through the fire—you defile yourselves with all your idols to this very day. Will I allow you to seek me, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will not allow you to seek me!
32 “‘What you plan will never happen. You say, “We will be like the nations, like the clans of the lands, who serve gods of wood and stone.”