20:31 20:31

Ezekiel 20:32

20:33 20:33

Bible Versions

And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
And that which cometh {H5927} into your mind {H7307} shall not be at all, that ye say {H559}, We will be {H1961} as the heathen {H1471}, as the families {H4940} of the countries {H776}, to serve {H8334} wood {H6086} and stone {H68}.
and that what you have in mind when you say, "We will be like the Goyim, like the families of the other countries, serving wood and stone," will certainly not happen.
When you say, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of the lands, serving wood and stone,’ what you have in mind will never come to pass.
and that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, in that ye say, We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

Ezekiel 20:32 delivers a powerful divine declaration concerning ancient Israel's rebellious heart during the Babylonian exile. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God confronts the deep-seated desire of the people to abandon their unique covenant relationship with Him and assimilate fully into the pagan practices of the surrounding nations.

Context

This verse is part of a longer discourse in Ezekiel chapter 20, where God recounts Israel's long and tragic history of rebellion, idolatry, and unfaithfulness, stretching from their time in Egypt (Ezekiel 20:7-8) through their wilderness wanderings and settlement in the Promised Land. Despite God's persistent grace and guidance, Israel continually turned to false gods. In the present context of exile, the people considered completely shedding their identity as God's chosen nation and becoming "as the heathen," embracing the polytheistic worship of "wood and stone" prevalent among their captors and neighbors.

Key Themes

  • The Futility of Human Rebellion Against Divine Will: The central message is God's absolute sovereignty. No matter what schemes or desires come into the minds of His people, if they contradict His ultimate purpose, they "shall not be at all." God declares that their intention to completely abandon Him and serve idols will be thwarted.
  • The Persistent Lure of Idolatry and Assimilation: Israel's history is marked by a recurring temptation to mimic the practices of the surrounding Gentile nations, particularly their worship of false gods. This verse highlights their desire to sever their distinct identity as the people of Yahweh.
  • God's Unwavering Purpose and Glory: Even in judgment, God's actions are ultimately driven by His commitment to His own holy name and His purposes for His people. He will not allow them to utterly become like the pagans, for His glory is at stake (see Ezekiel 36:22-23).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "shall not be at all" (Hebrew: lōʾ tihyeh) is a strong declaration of divine negation. It signifies that the thought or intention in their mind will not come to pass; it will be utterly prevented or invalidated by God's will. The phrase "serve wood and stone" is a common biblical idiom for idol worship, emphasizing the lifeless and man-made nature of pagan deities in stark contrast to the living God of Israel (Psalm 115:4-7).

Practical Application

Ezekiel 20:32 offers timeless lessons for believers today. We are constantly faced with the temptation to conform to the values and practices of the world around us, to "be as the heathen" in our modern context. This could manifest as prioritizing worldly success over spiritual growth, adopting secular ethics instead of biblical principles, or seeking fulfillment in material possessions rather than in God. The verse reminds us:

  • God's Sovereignty Prevails: Our plans and desires, especially those that lead us away from God, are ultimately subject to His overarching will. He has the power to thwart intentions that contradict His divine purpose.
  • The Call to Distinctness: As God's people, we are called to be distinct, set apart for His purposes (1 Peter 2:9). We must resist the urge to assimilate into cultural norms that oppose biblical truth.
  • The Folly of Idolatry: Whether it's ancient "wood and stone" or modern forms of worship (money, power, self, entertainment), anything we put before God is an idol and ultimately leads to futility.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while humanity may stray, God remains sovereign, ensuring His ultimate purposes for His people and His glory will be fulfilled.

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.

  • Ezekiel 11:5

    And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, [every one of] them.

  • Jeremiah 44:17

    But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

  • Deuteronomy 4:28

    And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

  • Revelation 9:20

    And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

  • Psalms 139:2

    Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

  • Daniel 5:4

    They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

  • Deuteronomy 28:36

    The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.
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