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.

Notwithstanding the children {H1121} rebelled {H4784} against me: they walked {H1980} not in my statutes {H2708}, neither kept {H8104} my judgments {H4941} to do {H6213} them, which if a man {H120} do {H6213}, he shall even live {H2425} in them; they polluted {H2490} my sabbaths {H7676}: then I said {H559}, I would pour out {H8210} my fury {H2534} upon them, to accomplish {H3615} my anger {H639} against them in the wilderness {H4057}.

"'But the children too rebelled against me. They did not live by my laws or observe my rulings, to obey them, which, if a person does, he will have life by them; and they profaned my shabbats. Then I said I would pour out my fury on them and spend my anger on them in the desert.

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 me; they walked not in my statutes, neither kept mine ordinances to do them, which if a man do, he shall live in them; they profaned my sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Commentary on Ezekiel 20:21 (KJV)

Context

Ezekiel chapter 20 presents a powerful historical review of Israel's persistent rebellion against God, from their time in Egypt through their wilderness wanderings, and into the prophet's present day. God recounts His gracious acts and covenant promises, contrasted sharply with the Israelites' continuous idolatry and disobedience. Verse 21 specifically addresses the second generation in the wilderness, highlighting that even they, despite witnessing God's judgments on their parents, continued in the same pattern of rebellion, failing to learn from the past. This verse underscores God's righteous anger and His intention to execute judgment due to their repeated transgressions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Persistent Rebellion: The verse emphasizes the continued disobedience of the Israelites, even among those who grew up in the wilderness. This illustrates a deep-seated spiritual problem, not just a momentary lapse, but a pattern of turning away from God's commands.
  • The Life-Giving Nature of God's Law: The phrase "which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them" highlights a core principle of the Mosaic Covenant: obedience to God's statutes and judgments was intended for their blessing and life (see Leviticus 18:5). Disobedience, therefore, was a rejection of life itself.
  • Sabbath Desecration: The "polluting my sabbaths" is repeatedly singled out in Ezekiel 20 as a significant act of rebellion. The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13), and its desecration indicated a profound disrespect for God's authority and their covenant relationship.
  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: God's declaration, "I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness," reveals the inevitable consequence of persistent unfaithfulness. This refers to the forty years of wandering and the destruction of that generation, preventing them from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:29-35).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rebelled" (מָרָה - marah) signifies a deep-seated defiance and obstinacy, not merely an oversight. It implies a conscious turning away from what is right. The phrase "he shall even live in them" (וָחַי בָּהֶם - vachay bahem) powerfully conveys that God's commands are not burdensome restrictions but pathways to true flourishing and existence, both physically and spiritually. The word for "polluted" (חָלַל - chalal) means to profane or desecrate, indicating that the Sabbath, a holy institution, was treated as common or unholy, stripping it of its sacred purpose.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 20:21 serves as a stark warning against the dangers of spiritual complacency and generational sin. It reminds us that knowledge of God's commands is insufficient; active obedience is required for a life of blessing. For believers today, while we are not under the Mosaic Law, the principle remains: living according to God's revealed will, as expressed in the New Covenant through Christ, leads to spiritual life and intimacy with God. Our reverence for God's holy things and His commands reflects the true state of our hearts. This verse encourages us to examine our own lives for areas of rebellion and to seek God's grace for obedience, recognizing that God's judgments, while severe, are always righteous and just.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Numbers 21:5

    And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for [there is] no bread, neither [is there any] water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

  • Deuteronomy 31:27

    For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

  • Lamentations 4:11

    The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

  • Psalms 106:29

    Thus they provoked [him] to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.

  • Psalms 106:33

    Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

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