But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances--though the man who does these things will live by them--and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness. But the children rebelled against MeThis phrase highlights the persistent cycle of rebellion among the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "rebelled" is "מָרָה" (marah), which conveys a sense of bitterness and defiance. Historically, this rebellion is not just a single act but a continuous pattern of disobedience against God's commandments. The children, representing the next generation, failed to learn from their ancestors' mistakes, illustrating the deep-seated nature of sin and the human tendency to stray from divine guidance. They did not walk in My statutes and they rejected My ordinances by which, if a man does them, he will live They profaned My Sabbaths So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and to exhaust My anger against them in the wilderness Persons / Places / Events 1. The Children of IsraelThe descendants of the Israelites who were delivered from Egypt. They are the primary audience of God's message through Ezekiel, representing a new generation that continued in disobedience. 2. God (Yahweh) The sovereign Lord who is addressing the rebellion of His people. He is portrayed as both just and merciful, offering statutes for life but also warning of wrath for disobedience. 3. The Wilderness The place where the Israelites wandered for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt. It symbolizes a period of testing and rebellion against God. 4. Ezekiel A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. He serves as a mouthpiece for God's judgment and hope. 5. The Sabbaths Holy days set apart by God for rest and worship. They are a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, and their profanation is a serious offense. Teaching Points The Consequences of RebellionDisobedience to God's commands leads to His righteous anger and judgment. We must take seriously the call to follow His statutes. The Life-Giving Nature of God's Law God's ordinances are designed for our well-being. Obedience brings life and blessing, while rebellion leads to spiritual death. The Importance of the Sabbath The Sabbath is a sign of our covenant relationship with God. We should honor it as a day of rest and worship, reflecting on His provision and grace. Generational Responsibility Each generation is accountable for its own obedience to God. We must teach and model faithfulness to the next generation. God's Patience and Justice While God is patient, His justice will ultimately prevail. We should not take His patience for granted but strive to live in accordance with His will. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the rebellion of the Israelites in the wilderness reflect our own struggles with obedience today?2. In what ways can we ensure that we are walking in God's statutes and keeping His ordinances in our daily lives? 3. How can we honor the Sabbath in a way that reflects its intended purpose as a day of rest and worship? 4. What lessons can we learn from the generational disobedience of the Israelites, and how can we apply these lessons to our families and communities? 5. How does understanding God's patience and justice influence our relationship with Him and our approach to sin and repentance? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 18:5This verse emphasizes the life-giving nature of God's statutes, similar to Ezekiel 20:21, where obedience leads to life. Exodus 16:27-30 This passage recounts the Israelites' initial disobedience regarding the Sabbath, highlighting the ongoing issue of Sabbath profanation. Hebrews 4:9-11 This New Testament passage speaks of a Sabbath rest for the people of God, connecting the concept of rest with faith and obedience. Psalm 78:40-41 This psalm reflects on Israel's rebellion in the wilderness, paralleling the themes of Ezekiel 20:21.
People Ezekiel, Israelites, Jacob, TemanPlaces Babylon, Bamah, Egypt, NegebTopics Although, Anger, Careful, Decrees, Desecrated, Desert, Didn't, Follow, Kept, Laws, Obeys, Ordinances, Pour, Profaned, Rebelled, Sabbaths, Spend, Statutes, Walk, WrathDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 20:21 6223 rebellion, of Israel Library Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral. 1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown, … Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Manner of Covenanting. Tithing Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath. Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example. The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close. A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. The Covenant of Works Ezekiel Links Ezekiel 20:21 NIVEzekiel 20:21 NLT Ezekiel 20:21 ESV Ezekiel 20:21 NASB Ezekiel 20:21 KJV Ezekiel 20:21 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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