Ezekiel 20:13

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.

But the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} rebelled {H4784} against me in the wilderness {H4057}: they walked {H1980} not in my statutes {H2708}, and they despised {H3988} my judgments {H4941}, which if a man {H120} do {H6213}, he shall even live {H2425} in them; and my sabbaths {H7676} they greatly {H3966} polluted {H2490}: then I said {H559}, I would pour out {H8210} my fury {H2534} upon them in the wilderness {H4057}, to consume {H3615} them.

"'But the house of Isra'el rebelled against me in the desert. They did not live by my laws; and they rejected my rulings, which, if a person does, he will have life through them; moreover, they greatly profaned my shabbats. Then I said I would pour out my fury on them in the desert, in order to destroy them.

Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness.

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they rejected mine ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 20 presents a powerful historical overview of Israel's persistent rebellion against God, beginning from their time in Egypt through their wilderness wanderings and into the Promised Land. God recounts His gracious acts and the nation's continuous defiance, which ultimately led to their impending judgment and exile to Babylon. Verse 13 specifically focuses on the generation in the wilderness, highlighting their early and deep-seated rejection of divine authority, setting a pattern for future generations.

Key Themes

  • Persistent Rebellion and Unfaithfulness: Despite God's deliverance from Egypt and His covenant promises, the Israelites repeatedly demonstrated a spirit of rebellion. This verse underscores their consistent failure to obey God's commands, even in the formative years of their nation in the wilderness.
  • The Life-Giving Nature of God's Law: The phrase "which if a man do, he shall even live in them" emphasizes that God's statutes and judgments were not burdensome rules but pathways to true life, prosperity, and spiritual well-being. Obedience was intended to lead to flourishing, not restriction. This concept is echoed in other parts of scripture, such as Leviticus 18:5.
  • Sabbath Desecration: The specific mention of polluting the Sabbaths highlights the gravity of this sin. The Sabbath was a crucial sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13), symbolizing their unique relationship and God's sanctifying power. Its desecration was a direct rejection of this covenant sign and a display of spiritual indifference.
  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse concludes with God's declaration that He would "pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them." This illustrates the inevitable and just consequences of prolonged disobedience and covenant breaking. Though God is merciful, He is also righteous and holy, and rebellion incurs His righteous judgment, as also seen in Ezekiel 20:8.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew phrase "he shall even live in them" (וָחַי בָּהֶם - vachai bahem) carries a strong connotation of vitality, spiritual health, and flourishing. It implies that adherence to God's commands is not merely about avoiding punishment, but about experiencing a full and abundant life, both physically and spiritually. The commandments were given for Israel's ultimate good and preservation.

Significance and Application

Ezekiel 20:13 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths. Firstly, it underscores the consistent nature of human rebellion against divine authority, a pattern seen throughout history, from the wilderness generation to the present day. Secondly, it highlights that God's laws are not arbitrary restrictions but are given for our benefit, leading to true life and well-being. To despise them is to despise the very source of life. Finally, the verse warns of the solemn reality of divine judgment when persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness are met with God's just wrath. For believers today, it calls for a humble and obedient walk, recognizing that God's Word is our guide for life, and His patience, while vast, is not without limits.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 20:21

    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.

  • Ezekiel 20:8

    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.

  • Isaiah 56:6

    Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

  • Ezekiel 20:24

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 9:8

    Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.

  • Numbers 14:22

    Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

  • Numbers 14:11

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?