Ezekiel 20:20

Ezekiel 20:20 is a powerful verse from a chapter where God recounts Israel's long history of rebellion and idolatry, despite His unwavering faithfulness and repeated commands. Within this sobering historical review, God reiterates the critical importance of His Sabbaths as a central pillar of the covenant relationship.

Context

Chapter 20 of Ezekiel presents a prophetic message delivered to the elders of Israel who sought a word from the Lord. Instead of answering their inquiry directly, God uses the opportunity to recount Israel's persistent disobedience from their time in Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land. He highlights how they continually rebelled against His laws, rejected His judgments, and profaned His Sabbaths. Amidst these charges, God emphasizes that He often withheld His full wrath for the sake of His own name and to demonstrate His patience. This verse, therefore, is a direct command within a larger narrative of divine grace and judgment, urging a return to fundamental obedience.

Key Themes

• The Sabbath as a Divine Command: The instruction to "hallow my sabbaths" is a direct reiteration of the Fourth Commandment given at Sinai, emphasizing the sanctity and importance of this day set apart for God. It signifies a call to reverence and obedience to God's established order. See Exodus 20:8 for the original command.
• The Sabbath as a Sign of Covenant: The verse explicitly states the Sabbath "shall be a sign between me and you." This sign (Hebrew: 'oth) visibly marked Israel as distinct, belonging to the Lord, and served as a perpetual reminder of His creative work (Genesis 2:2-3) and His redemptive act in bringing them out of Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). It was a unique identifier of their covenant relationship with God. Exodus 31:13 further elaborates on the Sabbath as a sign.
• Knowing God's Identity: The ultimate purpose of the sign was "that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God." This 'knowing' (Hebrew: yada') implies more than intellectual understanding; it's an experiential, relational knowledge of God's sovereignty, power, and covenant faithfulness. Through obedience to His commands, particularly the Sabbath, Israel was to continually acknowledge His supreme authority and unique identity as their deliverer and provider.

Linguistic Insights

• "Hallow" (קדש - qadash): This Hebrew verb means "to set apart as holy," "to consecrate," or "to treat as sacred." It implies a reverence and dedication that elevates the Sabbath above ordinary days, making it distinct and devoted to God's purposes.
• "Sign" (אות - 'oth): As mentioned, this term denotes a distinguishing mark, a token, or a pledge. It was a tangible, recurring reminder of the unique relationship and covenant between God and Israel, signifying ownership and distinction.
• "LORD" (יהוה - YHWH/Yahweh): The capitalized "LORD" in the King James Version consistently represents the divine covenant name of God, YHWH (often pronounced Yahweh). This name emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His personal, covenantal relationship with His people. To "know that I am the LORD" is to acknowledge His absolute sovereignty and unique identity as the one true God.

Significance and Application

For ancient Israel, keeping the Sabbath was a fundamental act of obedience and a public declaration of their allegiance to the one true God, distinguishing them from surrounding pagan nations who worshipped idols. Their failure to hallow the Sabbaths was a significant reason for their eventual exile.

For believers today, while the specific legal requirements of the Old Covenant Sabbath are understood differently under the New Covenant, the underlying principles remain vital. The call to "hallow" suggests setting apart time for God, acknowledging His ultimate authority, and resting in His provision. This verse encourages us to:

• Prioritize Devotion: To set apart intentional time for spiritual renewal, worship, and reflection on God's character and works.
• Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: To recognize that God is indeed "the LORD your God," the source of all blessing and the one who sustains us, rather than relying solely on our own efforts. This echoes the rest that remains for the people of God in Christ.
• Live Distinctly: To allow our lives, including how we manage our time and priorities, to serve as a "sign" to the world that we belong to God and are committed to His ways.

Ultimately, Ezekiel 20:20 reminds us that genuine knowledge of God is inextricably linked to obedience and a commitment to His holy commands, reflecting the depth of our covenant relationship with Him.