Revisiting the Past: God's Justice and Mercy in Israel's History

Ezekiel 20 serves as a vivid reminder of Israel's persistent rebellion and God's patient mercy. Despite their constant turning away, God’s faithfulness remains steadfast. The chapter ends on a hopeful note, promising a time when Israel will be restored and purified, serving God faithfully as He originally intended.

Verses 1-4: The Inquiry of the Elders

On the seventh year, the fifth month and the tenth day, the elders of Israel come to Ezekiel seeking guidance from God. But God responds by asking Ezekiel to judge them and remind them of their ancestors' detestable practices.

Verses 5-9: Rebellion in Egypt

God recalls the time when He chose Israel in the land of Egypt, offering them the gift of the promised land. Despite this, the people rebelled and gave their hearts to idols.

Verses 10-17: Rebellion in the Wilderness

God recounts the Israelites' history in the wilderness, their violation of His laws and desecration of His Sabbaths. Yet, in His mercy, He withheld the fullness of His wrath for the sake of His name.

Verses 18-26: Continued Disobedience of the Israelites

Despite God's warning to the younger generation not to follow the rebellious path of their fathers, the Israelites continued in their disobedience and desecration of the Sabbath, causing God to scatter them among the nations.

Verses 27-32: Israel's Persistent Rebellion

The Israelites' rebellion didn't end with their dispersion. Even in Babylon, they continued to profane God with their idolatry, yet God still holds back His full wrath.

Verses 33-44: Prophecy of Israel's Future Restoration

Despite their history of rebellion, God promises a future restoration where He will rule over them with a strong hand and bring them back from the nations where they've been scattered. This will be a time of judgement and purification, where God's people will remember their past and loathe their actions, but ultimately serve God with their whole heart.

Ezekiel 20 is a chapter that calls the nation of Israel to account for its history of disobedience, rebellion, and idolatry, against the backdrop of God's enduring mercy and patience. Throughout the dialogue, the Sovereign Lord, speaking through Ezekiel, recalls the nation's sinful past, but also gives hope of a future restoration.

Recollection of Israel's history.
God's judgement and mercy.
The concept of idolatry.
Israel's rebellion and God's response.
The promise of restoration and purification.Israel's rebellion in Egypt and the Wilderness.
The Sabbaths as a sign.
The threat and withholding of God's judgement.
Prophecy of Israel's future restoration.Ezekiel
The elders of Israel
God/YahwehBabylon
Egypt
The Wilderness

1. How does the recounting of Israel's history of rebellion serve as a cautionary tale for us today?

2. What can we learn about God's character through His interactions with Israel in this chapter?

3. How do you see God's mercy and judgement balancing each other in Ezekiel 20?

4. What does the concept of the Sabbath represent in this chapter and how can it be applied today?

5. How do the elders of Israel approach Ezekiel and how does their attitude reflect the state of their relationship with God?

6. Why does God repeatedly hold back His full wrath despite Israel's constant rebellion?

7. How does God's promise of future restoration reflect His ultimate plans for humanity?

8. In what ways might we be guilty of idolatry in our modern context?

9. How does God's response to Israel's rebellion in Babylon apply to our lives when we find ourselves in 'exile' situations?

10. What can we learn from God's strategy of discipline and promise of restoration in guiding our own actions and life choices?

11. How does the final verse (Ezekiel 20:44) inspire you and why?

12. In what ways does Israel's loathing of their past actions after God's judgment mirror personal regret and repentance?

13. How can the concept of purification mentioned in the chapter be applied in our spiritual journey today?

14. What do you think it means to serve God with a "whole heart" as stated in the final section?

15. In what ways does this chapter challenge your understanding of God's justice and mercy?

16. How can the history of Israel's disobedience serve as a mirror for our own spiritual state?

17. What parallels can be drawn between Israel's rebellion and the moral and spiritual state of society today?

18. How does God's promise of restoration in this chapter encourage you in times of personal struggle?

19. What steps can you take to avoid falling into the patterns of rebellion displayed by the Israelites?

20. In what ways can we take lessons from Israel's history to build a more faithful and obedient relationship with God today?