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.)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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).
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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).
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