Ezekiel 20:10

KJV

¶ Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore I caused them to go forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, and brought {H935} them into the wilderness {H4057}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So I had them leave the land of Egypt and brought them into the desert.

Berean Standard Bible

So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.

American Standard Version

So I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 20:10 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Israel's history, serving as the foundational act of divine grace and intervention within a broader narrative of the nation's persistent rebellion. This verse highlights God's sovereign initiative in delivering His people from Egyptian bondage and leading them into the wilderness, setting the stage for their formation as a covenant nation. It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness and power, even as He recounts their subsequent failures, thereby establishing the divine prerogative and the enduring nature of His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 20 is a powerful historical sermon delivered by God through the prophet to the elders of Israel who sought a word from the Lord. Rather than providing a direct oracle to their immediate inquiry, God uses the opportunity to recount Israel's long history of rebellion and idolatry, beginning from their time in Egypt. Verse 10 marks the initial act of divine grace and deliverance, serving as a stark contrast to the subsequent narrative of Israel's unfaithfulness. It sets the stage for God's repeated acts of mercy despite their provocations, emphasizing His covenant faithfulness as the unchanging backdrop to their fluctuating obedience. The chapter builds a case for God's righteous judgment while simultaneously affirming His commitment to His name and His people, ultimately pointing toward a future restoration based on His sovereign will, not their merit.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience for Ezekiel's prophecy consisted of Jewish exiles in Babylon, a people grappling with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and questioning God's faithfulness and their own identity. For these exiles, the Exodus from Egypt was the defining event of their national identity, a foundational narrative of God's power and covenant love. Recalling this event in Ezekiel 20:10 served to remind them of God's past fidelity and His ability to deliver, even in their current desperate circumstances. Culturally, the Exodus was not merely a historical event but a theological paradigm, shaping their understanding of liberation, covenant, and divine presence. The wilderness journey, too, was a period etched into their collective memory, symbolizing both divine provision and the testing of faith, a time when Israel was meant to learn dependence on God alone before entering the Promised Land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes prevalent throughout Ezekiel and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**, clearly stating that God "caused them to go forth" and "brought them," highlighting His active and sole agency in Israel's redemption. This counters any notion of human merit or effort in their liberation. Secondly, it underscores **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even before Israel had proven themselves worthy, as seen in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham"). Thirdly, the verse introduces the theme of **Deliverance and Redemption**, portraying God as the liberator who frees His people from bondage, a motif that resonates throughout biblical history and finds its ultimate expression in Christ. Finally, the "wilderness" symbolizes a period of **Testing and Formation**, a necessary stage for spiritual growth and the reception of divine law, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 8](/deuteronomy/8 "Deuteronomy 8 - Remembering God's Provision in the Wilderness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **go forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies a wide range of applications for going or bringing out, emphasizing the active, causative nature of the action. In Ezekiel 20:10, when God "caused them to go forth," it highlights His direct, powerful, and decisive intervention in liberating Israel from Egypt. It underscores that this was not an escape Israel orchestrated, but a divine expulsion from bondage, marking the beginning of their national journey under God's explicit command and power.
* **brought (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** Similar to _yâtsâʼ'_, this root means to go or come, but in this context, it is used causatively ("brought them"). It emphasizes God's active role not only in the departure from Egypt but also in guiding and leading Israel into the wilderness. This signifies God's continuous, intentional guidance and provision for His people, demonstrating that their journey was not aimless wandering but a divinely directed path towards a specific purpose and destination.
* **wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to drive" (cattle), _midbâr'_ refers to an open field or desert, a place where livestock are driven, or by implication, a desolate, uncultivated region. In biblical theology, the wilderness is a multifaceted symbol: a place of desolation and testing, but also a sanctuary for divine encounter, instruction, and provision. God deliberately led Israel into this challenging environment to teach them dependence, reveal His law, and forge them into a distinct people set apart for Himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt,"**: This clause emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in the Exodus. The use of the causative verb ("caused them to go forth") unequivocally states that Israel's liberation was not a result of their own strength, cunning, or even their fervent prayers, but solely an act of divine power and will. Egypt, referred to as "the land," represents a place of oppressive bondage, from which only a supernatural force could deliver them. This act established God's identity as Redeemer and Israel's identity as His delivered people.
* **"and brought them into the wilderness."**: This second clause details the immediate consequence of their deliverance. God did not merely free them from Egypt; He actively led them to a specific destination – the wilderness. This was not an accidental or aimless journey, but a divinely ordained phase. The wilderness served as a crucible for Israel's faith, a place where they would receive God's law, learn to depend entirely on His provision (e.g., manna, water from the rock), and be prepared for the responsibilities of the covenant and the eventual entry into the Promised Land. It signifies God's ongoing guidance and purpose for His redeemed people.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 20:10 employs several potent literary devices. **Historical Recapitulation** is central, as God succinctly summarizes the foundational event of the Exodus, reminding His audience of His past faithfulness before detailing their subsequent rebellion. This serves as a rhetorical anchor, establishing God's unwavering character. The phrase "I caused them to go forth" and "brought them" exemplifies **Divine Agency**, where the subject of the verbs is exclusively God, highlighting His absolute sovereignty and initiative in the nation's history. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is present in "the land of Egypt" representing bondage and oppression, and "the wilderness" symbolizing a period of testing, purification, and divine instruction. The entire verse functions as a **Thesis Statement** for the subsequent historical narrative in Ezekiel 20, setting the benevolent divine action against which Israel's repeated unfaithfulness will be measured.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 20:10 stands as a foundational theological statement, asserting God's absolute sovereignty and initiating grace in the formation of His people. It underscores that Israel's very existence as a nation was not due to their merit or strength, but entirely to God's redemptive will. This act of deliverance from Egypt and leading into the wilderness established the paradigm for God's relationship with His people: He is the faithful Rescuer and Guide, even when His people are prone to rebellion. This divine initiative is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, demonstrating that salvation, both corporately and individually, originates solely from God's gracious disposition and powerful intervention, not from human effort. It reminds us that our spiritual journey begins with God's call and continues under His unwavering guidance, even through challenging "wilderness" phases.

* [Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21 - God Leads Israel by Pillar of Cloud and Fire")
* [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness")
* [Isaiah 43:16-19](/isaiah/43-16 "Isaiah 43:16-19 - God's New Exodus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 20:10 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us of God's initiating grace and His power to deliver us from any form of spiritual or circumstantial bondage. Just as He sovereignly led Israel out of Egypt, He continues to lead us out of our own "Egypts" – be they sin, addiction, despair, or oppressive circumstances. Our "wilderness" experiences, though often challenging and uncomfortable, are divinely appointed periods for growth, deeper dependence on God, and spiritual formation. These are times when God strips away our self-reliance, teaches us His ways, and refines our character, much like He provided manna and water for Israel in the desert, as recounted in [Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - God Provides Manna"). This verse encourages us to remember God's past faithfulness in our lives and in the history of His people, strengthening our faith for future challenges, knowing that His character as Deliverer and Guide remains unchanging. It calls us to trust His leading, even when the path seems uncertain, recognizing that His ultimate purpose is always our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Egypts" or forms of bondage has God delivered you from in your life?**
* **How have your "wilderness" experiences, though difficult, served as periods of spiritual growth and deeper dependence on God?**
* **In what ways does remembering God's past faithfulness (both in Scripture and in your personal history) strengthen your faith for present and future challenges?**

### FAQ
**Why does God recount Israel's history of rebellion to the elders in Ezekiel 20?**

Answer: God recounts Israel's history of rebellion, starting with their deliverance from Egypt in [Ezekiel 20:10](/ezekiel/20-10 "Ezekiel 20:10 - God's Deliverance of Israel"), not to condemn them without hope, but to establish the righteousness of His judgment and to highlight His own unwavering faithfulness despite their repeated unfaithfulness. The elders were seeking an oracle from God, perhaps hoping for immediate relief or a favorable prophecy. Instead, God uses this historical review to demonstrate that their current exile is a just consequence of generations of idolatry and disobedience. However, by beginning with His gracious act of deliverance, God also underscores His enduring covenant love and sets the stage for a future restoration based on His character and promises, not on Israel's merit, as detailed later in [Ezekiel 20:40-44](/ezekiel/20-40 "Ezekiel 20:40-44 - God's Promise of Restoration").

**What is the theological significance of God bringing Israel "into the wilderness" after delivering them from Egypt?**

Answer: The wilderness was not merely a geographical location but a theologically significant space. After delivering Israel from the physical bondage of Egypt, God intentionally led them into the wilderness, as stated in [Ezekiel 20:10](/ezekiel/20-10 "Ezekiel 20:10 - God's Deliverance of Israel"), for several crucial purposes. It was a place of **testing** (Deuteronomy 8:2), where Israel learned to depend solely on God for provision and guidance. It was also a place of **revelation** and **covenant-making**, where God gave them His Law at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 19-20](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19-20 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai")). Furthermore, it was a period of **purification** and **formation**, where a generation steeped in Egyptian idolatry could be transformed into a people set apart for God. The wilderness experience serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual journey of believers, often involving periods of challenge and stripping away of self-reliance, leading to deeper intimacy with God and preparation for His purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 20:10, recounting God's sovereign act of delivering Israel from Egypt and leading them into the wilderness, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God "caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt," so too does Christ deliver humanity from the spiritual "Egypt" of sin and bondage to the powers of darkness. He is the ultimate Deliverer, whose sacrifice on the cross provides the true and lasting redemption that the Exodus merely foreshadowed, as proclaimed by John the Baptist: "Behold, the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")" (John 1:29). Furthermore, just as God "brought them into the wilderness" to form them as His people, Christ leads His followers through the "wilderness" of this present age, a journey of sanctification, testing, and dependence on Him. He provides spiritual "manna" – Himself, the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") (John 6:35) – and living water, the [Holy Spirit](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water") (John 7:38). The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's blood, fulfills the Old Covenant given in the wilderness, establishing a people whose hearts are transformed and who are led by the Spirit into the promised spiritual inheritance, the [heavenly Jerusalem](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22 - The Heavenly Jerusalem") (Hebrews 12:22). Thus, Ezekiel 20:10 ultimately points to Christ as the divine Initiator, Deliverer, and Guide of His new covenant people, bringing them out of spiritual slavery and leading them through this life towards eternal communion with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 20:2

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 14:17

And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Exodus 14:22

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Exodus 13:17

¶ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not [through] the way of the land of the Philistines, although that [was] near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Exodus 13:18

But God led the people about, [through] the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 15:22

¶ So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.