Ezekiel 20:1-49
1 And 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.
2 Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
3 Son 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.
4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
5 And 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 lifteda up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
6 In 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:
7 Then 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.
8 But 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.
9 But 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.
10 Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
11 And I gave them my statutes, and shewedb them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
12 Moreover 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.
13 But 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.
14 But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
15 Yet 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;
16 Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
17 Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
18 But 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:
19 I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
21 Notwithstanding 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.
22 Nevertheless 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.
23 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
24 Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
25 Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
26 And 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.
27 Therefore, 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 committedc a trespass against me.
28 For 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.
29 Then I saidd unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.
30 Wherefore 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?
31 For 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.
32 And 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.
33 As 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:
34 And 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.
35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bonde of the covenant:
38 And 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.
39 As 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.
40 For 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 firstfruitsf of your oblations, with all your holy things.
41 I will accept you with your sweetg 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.
42 And 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.
43 And 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.
44 And 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.
45 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
46 Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
47 And 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.
48 And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
49 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
Ezekiel: ‘They shall know that I am God’
The *Sin of Judah and the Judgement of God
Ezekiel Chapter s 1 to 24
Ian Mackervoy
Chapter 20
God is patient. He gives people every opportunity to *turn to him. This chapter describes *Israel’s history during several centuries. God had made wonderful promises to the *Israelites. But, even since *Israel’s origin, so many *Israelites had not been loyal to God. So, during Ezekiel’s life, God would punish the *Israelites. However, God still loved *Israel. And, in the future, he would perform all his promises to *Israel.
*Israel refuses to obey God – Ezekiel 20:1-44
(1) Failure in Egypt – Ezekiel 20:1-9
v1 It was the 7th year during our *exile. On the 10th day of the 5th month, some of the leaders of *Israel came to inquire of the *LORD. They sat down in front of me.
v2 Then the *LORD spoke to me. v3 ‘*Son of man, speak to the leaders of *Israel. Say to them, “This is what the *LORD your King says. I am the God who lives. You have come to inquire of me. But I will not let you ask me anything. That is what the *LORD your King says.”
v4 You must tell them how wrong they are. Tell them how wrong they are, *son of man. Let them know the terrible things that their *ancestors did. v5 Say to them, “This is what the *LORD your King says. When I chose *Israel, I made a promise to the *Israelites. I raised my hand to the family of Jacob. I introduced myself to them in Egypt.” And I said, “I am the *LORD your God.” v6 At that time, I promised them that I would bring them out of Egypt. I would bring them into the country that I had chosen for them. It is a country that has plentiful supplies of milk and honey. It is the most beautiful of all countries. v7 I spoke to them. “Each of you must throw away the awful gods to which you have looked. Do not *worship the false gods of Egypt. Those gods will make you *unclean with *sin. I am the *LORD your God.”
v8 But they *turned against me and they refused to listen to me. They did not throw away the awful gods to which they looked. They did not give up the false gods of Egypt. I decided to *pour out my anger on them while they were still in Egypt. v9 However, I did what was right for my own name (honour). I had promised to bring *Israel out of Egypt. The nations round about knew that I had promised this. If I did not do it, the nations would not respect my name.
Verse 1 The 5th month in the calendar of *Israel is July to August in our calendar. It was then July to August in the year 591 *BC. It was 11 months after chapter 8:1.
In the summer of 591 *BC the army of Egypt had taken control of the country called Sudan. The *exiles heard about this. They expected that the *Egyptians would attack the country called *Israel. They hoped that the *Egyptians would free the country from Nebuchadnezzar. With this hope in mind, Zedekiah requested help from Egypt. This was between the years 591 and 589 *BC. The king of Egypt became ill and so the army of Egypt did not come.
The leaders of the *exiles came to Ezekiel. They came to inquire of the *Lord. They probably wanted to ask if Egypt would come to rescue Judah. They wanted to know if they could soon return to their own country. Chapter s 20 to 23 contain the *Lord’s answer to this question.
Verses 2-4 The *Lord told Ezekiel to speak to these leaders. Ezekiel must tell them why God was opposing them. God refused to answer the questions of the leaders of *Israel. God would not answer them because of their *sins. Their *exile was the result of the history of *sin in *Israel.
Verse 5-7 God ‘raised his hand’ to the *Israelites. To raise one’s hands was the way that people made a contract. God made a contract with them.
The nation called *Israel began in Egypt when God chose it. He showed the people who he was. And he promised to be their God. He made an agreement with them. He promised to bring them out of Egypt.
He also promised to bring them into the country that he would give to them. This country would be the good and rich country called Canaan. It was the best country. God chose it especially for them.
The people also had duties because of this contract. They had to throw away their false gods. They had to stop their *worship of the gods of Egypt. The *Lord God must be their only God.
Verse 8-9 The people did not listen to God. They did not do as he had said. They kept their false gods. So, while they were still in Egypt, God was angry with them. He punished them because they would not obey him. They were in Egypt for 430 years.
However, God had said that he would bring them out. So, he did bring them out of Egypt. The nations knew that God had promised it. And God always does what he has promised to do. For the honour of his name among the nations, God had to bring the people out of Egypt.
When God did this, he showed his power over all the gods of Egypt. But, his own people did not obey him.
(2) Failure in the desert – Ezekiel 20:10-26
v10 So, I led the *Israelites out of the country called Egypt. And I brought them into the desert. v11 I gave my rules to them and I told them about my laws. The people will live if they obey these rules and laws. v12 Also, I gave them my *Sabbaths as a sign of our agreement. By this, they would know that I am the *LORD. I have made them my own people.
v13 But in the desert, the *Israelites did not obey me. They did not live as I had ordered them. They refused to obey my laws. People would live if they obeyed my commands. But they did what they should not do on the *Sabbaths. Then I decided to *pour out my anger against them and to *destroy them in the desert. v14 But the nations had seen that I brought the *Israelites out of Egypt. So, I did not *destroy the *Israelites in the desert. If I had done it, the nations would speak evil things about me. v15 And in the desert, I raised my hand as I issued my judgement. I told the *Israelites that I would not bring them into their own country. That was the country that I gave to them. It is the most beautiful country, a country that has plentiful supplies of milk and honey. v16 This was because they refused my laws. And they did not obey my rules. They did what they should not do on my *Sabbaths. And in their hearts, they *worshipped false gods. v17 But I pitied them. I did not *destroy them. And I did not end the *Israelite nation while they were still in the desert. v18 I spoke to their children in the desert. “Do not live as your parents live. Do not obey their rules. Do not *worship their false gods, which will make you *unclean with *sin. v19 I am the *LORD your God. Live by my laws. Obey my rules and do them. v20 Make the *Sabbath a holy day. It will be a sign of the agreement that we made. And you will know that I am the *LORD your God.”
v21 But the children *turned away from me. They did not live by my rules. They did not obey my laws. If they obeyed my rules, they would live. They did not respect my rules for the *Sabbaths. So, I decided to *pour out my anger against them in the desert. v22 But I held back my anger. I acted for the honour of my name among the nations. They had seen me bring the *Israelites out of Egypt. v23 And in the desert, I raised my hand as I issued my judgement. I declared to the *Israelites what I would do. I would scatter them among the nations. And I would spread them among the countries. v24 I will do this because they have not obeyed my laws. They refused to live by my rules. On the *Sabbaths, they do what they should not do. They also *worship the false gods that their fathers served. v25 So I told them to obey laws that are not good. And I told them to obey commands that could not give life to them. v26 I let them become *unclean with *sin by means of their gifts to the false gods. They caused all their first-born children to go through the fire. I allowed this so that I might fill them with terror. Then they would know that I am the *LORD.’
Verses 10-12 God led the *Israelites out of Egypt. By Moses, he gave them rules by which they would live. In the desert, the people agreed to obey all these rules. If they did obey all these laws then they would live. But the people neglected to do what they ought to have done.
The day for the *Jews lasted from one evening until the next evening. In their contract with God, they had to keep one day as different from the other days of the week (Exodus 20:8-11). This day is the *Sabbath, which the *Jews *keep from Friday to Saturday. It is a day for rest and *worship, when people may not work. This is a sign that they are God’s people. God had made them his own people.
Verses 13-17 To obey God’s laws would show trust in God. Failure to obey the law of God showed that they did not trust him. One’s good deeds cannot earn life but life comes by trust in the *Lord. God was so kind to give his laws to them. By his goodness, he gave to them the promise of life. But, they did not believe. They did not trust God. They refused to obey the law of God. They did not *keep the *Sabbath days as the *Lord ordered.
It would have been right for the *Lord to *destroy *Israel (to end the *Israelite nation) in the desert. That was what they deserved. But the *Lord would not *destroy them. He had promised to bring them to the country called Canaan. He would do everything that he promised to do.
The nations knew about God’s promise to *Israel. They would accuse God if he did not perform it.
God had to punish the people for their evil deeds. But he pitied them. He did not destroy the new nation called *Israel. Only the adults who left Egypt would die in the desert. They would not go into the country that God had promised to *Israel. The *Israelites were in the desert 40 years until those adults died. Then their children did go into that country.
Verses 18-20 The promise of the new country was for those under the age of 20 years. However, God warned them. They must not to do as their parents had done. They must not *worship false gods. The *Lord was their God and they must serve only him. They must obey the contract that God gave to them by Moses. They must obey the rules for the *Sabbath days. The weekly *Sabbath was a sign of the contract. The *Sabbath would remind them that the *Lord was their God.
Verses 21-22 Like their parents, the children also *turned away from the *Lord. They refused to live by the laws of God. They did not keep the *Sabbath day special. God was angry with them. He could have *destroyed them in the desert. That would have been right and fair. But God did not *destroy them there.
The nations knew that God had brought *Israel out of Egypt. They knew that God was leading his people in the desert. If God *destroyed *Israel, it would damage his name among the nations. So, for the honour of his name, he did not do it.
Verses 23-26 God could not just forget their evil deeds. He had to punish their *sins. That punishment would be in the future. God said that he would scatter them among the nations. This is what was happening in the days of Ezekiel. Ezekiel lived with the *exiles in Babylon. They went into *exile in the year 597 *BC. The armies of Babylon would soon destroy Jerusalem. Then those that remained alive would also go into *exile. This happened in the year 587 *BC.
The people would not obey God. They would not *keep the *Sabbath rules. They continued to serve false gods. So, God allowed them to behave in this evil manner. But they could not avoid the punishment for their *sin.
The *Israelites served the gods of the nations. They gave gifts to these gods. Some of them even killed their own children to please these false gods. They did this in the *worship of the god called Molech.
(3) Failure in the country called *Israel – Ezekiel 20:27-29
v27 ‘Therefore, *son of man, speak to the *Israelites. Tell them: “This is what the *LORD your King says. Your *ancestors spoke against me and they were not loyal to me. They also did awful acts against me. v28 I brought them into the country that I had promised to give them. There they saw every high hill and every tree with leaves. In these places, they offered their gifts to the false gods. They offered gifts there that made me angry. They burned *incense and they poured out drinks to the gods. v29 Then I asked them this question. What is the high place to which you go?” ’ And even now, its name is Bamah.
Verses 27-29 The *Lord had been so kind to the *Israelites. He saved them from Egypt. He led them through the desert. He brought them into the country that he had promised to them. But, even after all this, the people were not loyal to God. They even spoke against the *Lord. They did not obey his law. They did those things that God hates.
They came into the country called Canaan. Soon they did what the original inhabitants of Canaan did. The *Israelites offered gifts to the gods of those people. Under every tree and on the high places, they served the false gods. They *worshipped the gods with *incense. *Incense has a sweet smell when it burns. They poured out gifts of drink to the gods. All of these things made God angry.
Bamah is a *Hebrew word, which means ‘high place.’ It was probably the name of one of the most important high places.
(4) Failure of Judah in the time of Ezekiel – Ezekiel 20:30-44
v30 ‘For this reason, speak to the *Israelites. “This is what the *LORD your King says. You will be as *unclean with *sin as your *ancestors were. You will be like a *prostitute with their false gods, which I hate. v31 You offer your children as gifts and you cause them to go through fire. Even now, you are *unclean with *sin because of your false gods. So, *Israelites, I will not let you inquire of me. I am the God who lives. I will not answer any questions from you. This is what the *LORD your King says.
v32 What is in your mind shall never happen. You say, “We want to be like the other nations. We want to be like the people who live across the world. Like them, we want to *worship false gods that we have made of wood and stone.” v33 I am the God who lives. This is what the *LORD your King says. I will use my great power and strength against you. I will deal with you in my anger. And I will rule over you. v34 I will bring you out from the nations. I will gather you from the nations where I scattered you. With my great power, strength and anger, I will achieve this. v35 I will bring you into the desert of the nations. There I will meet with you, and there, I will be your judge. v36 I was the judge of your *ancestors in the desert of Egypt. Even so, I will be your judge, says the *LORD your King. v37 I will count you as one counts sheep. I will control you by the agreement that I have with you. v38 I will remove from you those who refuse to obey me. And I will remove from you those who *turn against me. I will bring them out of the nations where they now live. But they will never enter the country called *Israel. Then you will know that I am the *LORD.
v39 This is what the *LORD your King says to the *Israelites. Go now and serve your false gods. But in the future, you will listen to me. Then you will respect my holy name. Then you will not give gifts in *worship to your false gods. v40 You will come to my holy mountain, the high mountain of *Israel. There, in the country, all the *Israelites will serve me. This is what the *LORD your King says. I will accept you there. There I will expect your gifts and the first fruits of your harvest. You will offer to me your holy things. v41 I will bring you out from the foreign nations. I will gather you from the nations where I scattered you. By you, I will show the nations how holy I am. And I will accept you as *incense that has a sweet smell. v42 I will bring you into the country called *Israel. I raised my hand when I promised to give that country to your *ancestors. Then you will know that I am the *LORD. v43 And you shall remember how you lived. You will remember all the evil things that you did. You will be ashamed and you will hate all your evil deeds. v44 I will not deal with you as you deserve. You have lived bad lives and you have done evil deeds. I will be kind to you for the honour of my own name. Then you, *Israelites, will know that I am the *LORD. That is what the *LORD your King says.’
Verses 30-31 God has shown the *exiles of Judah the failures of the past. Now he asks them a question. Are they any better than their *ancestors were? No, the *Israelites were just as bad as their *ancestors were. They were not loyal to God. They went after other gods as *prostitutes go with men.
The people had *turned away from God. So, they could not expect God to listen to them. God would not answer their questions.
God had delayed the punishment of the nation for so long. However, it had to happen and now was the time. The people had not *repented of their *sins. They had not *turned back to the *Lord.
Verses 32-38 God loves *Israel. Therefore, he would not let them be like the other nations. He would not let them be slaves to false gods. They are his people. He has an agreement with them. He is angry with them when they *turn away from him. By his great power, he would scatter them across the nations. So, in a few years, the inhabitants of Jerusalem would go into *exile. However, the *Lord would still rule them.
After the *exile in Babylon, the *Lord would bring the people from Judah back to their own country. But at a future time, God would scatter them again. He would be their judge ‘in the desert of the nations’. Since the first century AD (after Christ), the *Jews have been in other countries. They have suffered much. God has been their judge as he had been in the desert of Egypt. But now God is bringing them back to their own country. The time will come when they will *turn again to the *Lord. He will be like a *shepherd to them. A *shepherd counts his sheep to make sure that none are missing. The *Lord will make again his agreement with the *Israelites. He will rule them by that agreement. But he will refuse those who *turn away from him. They will not be his. They will not live in the country.
Verses 39-44 For many years, the people would not listen to (obey) God. So, God let them live in the manner that they chose. They could serve the false gods. But in the future, they will see how wrong they were. Then they will hear what the *Lord will say to them.
The *Lord will bring all the *Israelites back to the country called *Israel. Then they will trust in the *Lord their God. At that future time, they will respect God. They will never again serve the gods of the nations. They will serve the *Lord their God. In this, the nations will see that God is holy.
In that day, they will come to the place that God has chosen. There they will *worship him. Then God will accept them. He will accept the gifts and the *sacrifices that they bring to him. His people will be as sweet *incense to him.
The people will remember how bad they had been. They will be ashamed of their past. But they will know how much God has loved them. They will know that the *Lord alone is God.
(5) Fire destroys the country – Ezekiel 20:45-49
v45 The *Lord spoke to me again. v46 ‘*Son of man, look toward the south. *Prophesy against the south and against the forest in the Negeb. v47 Say to the forest in the Negeb, “Hear what the *LORD says to you. The *LORD your King says: I am ready to start a fire in you. That fire will destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. Nobody can put out the flames of the fire. The fire will burn the whole country from the south to the north. v48 Then everyone will see that I, the *LORD, have started the fire. And nobody can put it out.’’ ’
v49 Then I said, ‘Ah, *LORD our King. The people say about me, “He is just telling stories.” ’
Verses 45-49 In the *Hebrew Bible, verse 45 is the beginning of the next chapter.
The events here were not in the distant future. They would happen very soon. The south and the forest in the Negeb mean the *kingdom called Judah. In those days, the country had many trees, even in the Negeb.
The *Lord would cause a *disaster in Judah. He would destroy the country as completely as a forest fire burns all the trees. There would be no way to stop what the *Lord would start. He would send Nebuchadnezzar and his army against the country called Judah. The attack would be like a fire that nobody could put out. All of this happened in the year 586 *BC.
The *exiles did not understand what Ezekiel said. They refused to believe what he told them. They said that he was just telling stories.
sin ~ Sin means the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God. People are called sinners because of their sins.
turn ~ to change your behaviour, your friends, or your God; or, to carry out actions in order to oppose someone.
Israel ~ Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel. Israel became the name of the northern nation when it separated from Judah. However, Ezekiel sometimes uses the word ‘Israel’ to refer to Judah.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
exile ~ When people have to live in a foreign country they are in exile. Such a person is called an exile.
Lord ~ a title for God, to show that he is over all people and things.
LORD ~ ‘LORD’ is the special name that God gave to himself. It probably means ‘always God’. This name has a relationship with the special promises that God gave to his people.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
worship ~ an act to give honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
unclean ~ unfit for sacred purposes. Unclean food is food that the Jews should not eat because of their religion. When the temple was unclean, it was not right for the worship of God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God or other gods. The Jews had one in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
worship ~ an act to give honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
sin ~ Sin means the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God. People are called sinners because of their sins.
BC ~ years before Christ was born.
Egyptian ~ a person from the nation called Egypt or anything that has a relationship with Egypt.
Lord ~ a title for God, to show that he is over all people and things.
LORD ~ ‘LORD’ is the special name that God gave to himself. It probably means ‘always God’. This name has a relationship with the special promises that God gave to his people.
Sabbath ~ The Sabbath was the 7th day of the week. God told the Israelites to keep it as a special day.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
destroy ~ to carry out the most severe punishment possible; to cause someone to suffer; to kill everyone in a nation.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
keep ~ to perform a promise or to obey a law.
incense ~ something that gives a sweet smell when it burns. The priests burned it when they praised God in the temple.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God or other gods. The Jews had one in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
worship ~ an act to give honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
incense ~ something that gives a sweet smell when it burns. The priests burned it when they praised God in the temple.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God or other gods. The Jews had one in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
worship ~ an act to give honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
Hebrew ~ the language of Israel.
Israel ~ Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel. Israel became the name of the northern nation when it separated from Judah. However, Ezekiel sometimes uses the word ‘Israel’ to refer to Judah.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
prostitute ~ a woman who receives payment when she offers her body for sex. There are also male prostitutes.
repent ~ to change the mind; to turn away from sin and turn to God.
turn ~ to change your behaviour, your friends, or your God; or, to carry out actions in order to oppose someone.
sin ~ Sin means the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God. People are called sinners because of their sins.
shepherd ~ someone who takes care of sheep.
sacrifice ~ The priests killed a special animal and they burned it on an altar. That animal was called a sacrifice. They offered a sacrifice when they asked God to forgive sins. When Jesus died, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Animals or people whom God or other people kill for a purpose are also sacrifices (see Ezekiel 39:17). And people also made sacrifices to false gods.
altar ~ the special table where people burn animals or offer other gifts to God or to false gods.
sin ~ Sin means the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God. People are called sinners because of their sins.
prophesy ~ to speak a prophecy.
prophecy ~ a message from God; a gift of the Holy Spirit.
kingdom ~ the place or territory where a king rules.
disaster ~ when something very bad happens.