Ezekiel 20:15

Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given [them], flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands;

Yet also I lifted up {H5375} my hand {H3027} unto them in the wilderness {H4057}, that I would not bring {H935} them into the land {H776} which I had given {H5414} them, flowing {H2100} with milk {H2461} and honey {H1706}, which is the glory {H6643} of all lands {H776};

Yet I also raised my hand and swore to them in the desert that I would not bring them into the land I was giving them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands;

Moreover, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands—

Moreover also I sware unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

Ezekiel 20:15 (KJV) provides a stark reminder of God's judgment upon the rebellious generation of Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. It highlights the divine consequence of their repeated disobedience, preventing them from entering the land God had promised.

Context of Ezekiel 20:15

Chapter 20 of Ezekiel is a powerful historical recounting of Israel's persistent rebellion against God, from their time in Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the land. In this particular verse, the prophet Ezekiel, speaking for God, recalls the solemn oath God made in the wilderness. This oath was a direct response to the generation that left Egypt, who, despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance and provision, continued to rebel and provoke Him. The passage serves as a severe warning to the exiles in Babylon, reminding them that God’s past judgments were just and that their current predicament was also a result of their ancestors' and their own unfaithfulness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse underscores that God’s covenant promises, while gracious, are not unconditional. Persistent rebellion leads to severe consequences, including the withholding of blessings. This generation, despite being set free from Egypt, forfeited their entry into the Promised Land due to their sin.
  • God's Unwavering Oath: The phrase "I lifted up my hand unto them" signifies a solemn divine oath. Even in judgment, God is faithful to His declared word. His decision to bar them from the land was a fulfillment of His righteous judgment, not a capricious act.
  • The Significance of the Promised Land: Described as "flowing with milk and honey," this land was the ultimate symbol of God's blessing, provision, and covenant faithfulness to Israel. Its description as "the glory of all lands" emphasizes its unique desirability and the profound loss incurred by those who were denied entry. This vivid phrase is a common biblical descriptor, found also in Exodus 3:8.

Linguistic Insights

The idiom "lifted up my hand" (Hebrew: nasa' yad) is a common biblical expression indicating the swearing of an oath. It signifies a solemn, binding declaration, often accompanied by a physical gesture. When God "lifts up His hand," it emphasizes the absolute certainty and irrevocability of His word, whether in promise or in judgment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 20:15 serves as a timeless warning that disobedience to God has real and often severe consequences. While God is rich in mercy and grace, He is also just and righteous. This verse encourages believers to:

  • Take God's Commands Seriously: Understand that God's instructions are for our good and that rebellion carries a cost.
  • Learn from History: Reflect on the failures of past generations to avoid similar pitfalls. The story of Israel in the wilderness is a powerful object lesson. For more on this, consider Numbers 14:29-35, which details the fate of that generation.
  • Value God's Promises: Appreciate the blessings God offers and strive to live in a way that honors His covenant, so as not to forfeit the spiritual inheritance He has prepared for us.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 95:11

    Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

  • Psalms 106:26

    Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:

  • Hebrews 3:18

    And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

  • Numbers 14:23

    Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

  • Numbers 14:30

    Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, [concerning] which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

  • Ezekiel 20:23

    I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;

  • Numbers 26:64

    But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

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