Ezekiel 20:35

KJV

And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will bring {H935} you into the wilderness {H4057} of the people {H5971}, and there will I plead {H8199} with you face {H6440} to face {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then I will bring you into the desert of the peoples and judge you face to face.

Berean Standard Bible

And I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations, where I will enter into judgment with you face to face.

American Standard Version

and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 20:35 is a profound prophetic declaration from God to the exiled Israelites, revealing His sovereign intent to bring them into a unique "wilderness of the peoples" for a direct, face-to-face judicial encounter. This divine confrontation is not merely punitive but serves as a crucible for purification, where God will "plead" or judge His people, separating the rebellious from the faithful, ultimately paving the way for a renewed covenant relationship and restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 20 is a powerful historical recounting of Israel's persistent rebellion and idolatry, spanning from their time in Egypt through their wilderness wanderings and into the land of Canaan. God meticulously details His gracious acts and their repeated rejection of His statutes and Sabbaths. The chapter begins with elders of Israel coming to Ezekiel for a word from the Lord, only to be met with a divine refusal to be inquired of by such a rebellious people. Verses 33-34 declare God's unwavering resolve to gather His scattered people with a "mighty hand" and "outpoured wrath," implying a forceful, sovereign act. Verse 35 then specifies the nature of this gathering, indicating it will lead to a place of intense scrutiny and judgment before any true restoration can occur, serving as a pivotal point in the unfolding divine plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the Babylonian captivity (early 6th century BCE). The people were far from their homeland, struggling with their identity and relationship with God, often clinging to the idolatrous practices of their past or adopting those of their captors. The "wilderness" in the Old Testament often symbolizes a place of testing, purification, and divine encounter, reminiscent of Israel's original exodus from Egypt and their forty years of wandering. However, the phrase "wilderness of the people" (or "peoples") is unique, suggesting a symbolic rather than literal geographical location. It likely refers to the experience of being scattered among the Gentile nations, where their true spiritual condition would be exposed and judged, distinct from the wilderness of Sinai where the covenant was first given.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights God's **Sovereignty and Absolute Control** over His people's destiny, even in their exile and subsequent judgment, as He declares, "I will bring you." The concept of **Divine Judgment and Purification** is central, as the "wilderness of the people" signifies a place of separation and intense testing designed to purge the rebellious elements from within Israel. This judgment is intimately connected with God's **Covenant Faithfulness**, as His discipline, though severe, is ultimately aimed at restoring a pure remnant and fulfilling His promises, as seen later in the book (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart")). The "face to face" encounter underscores the **Personal and Direct Nature of God's Interaction** with His people, a judicial reckoning where He Himself lays out His case against their disobedience, reminiscent of a divine lawsuit (cf. [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - God's Invitation to Reason")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bring (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** From H935, a primitive root meaning "to go or come" in a wide variety of applications, including "cause to enter," "lead," or "put." Here, it emphasizes God's active, sovereign agency. He is not merely observing but is the initiator and executor of this movement, forcefully directing His people into this specific wilderness. This underscores His control over their circumstances and His deliberate purpose in their journey.
* **wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr'_):** From H4057, derived from a root meaning "to drive," referring to a pasture or open field where cattle are driven; by implication, a desert. While often a literal geographical desert, in this context, "the wilderness of the people" (or "peoples") is unique to Ezekiel. It suggests a symbolic spiritual desolation or a place of exposure and testing among the Gentile nations, distinct from the wilderness of Sinai. It's a place where Israel's true spiritual state will be revealed and where God will deal with them directly.
* **plead (Hebrew, _shâphaṭ'_):** From H8199, a primitive root meaning "to judge," "pronounce sentence (for or against)," "vindicate or punish," or "to govern." It strongly implies a legal process, a divine lawsuit. God is acting as both judge and prosecutor, bringing His people to account for their rebellion and idolatry. This is not a casual argument but a formal, authoritative confrontation with serious implications.
* **face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** From H6440, referring to "the face" or "presence." The repetition "face to face" intensifies the directness and intimacy of the encounter. While often signifying close communion (as with Moses in [Exodus 33:11](/exodus/33-11 "Exodus 33:11 - God Speaks to Moses Face to Face")), here it is in the context of a judicial reckoning. It means God will engage with them personally, directly, and without intermediaries, leaving no room for evasion or denial regarding their guilt and His righteous judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people":** This clause declares God's active and sovereign intention to relocate His people, the exiled Israelites, into a specific, symbolic "wilderness." This is not the familiar wilderness of Sinai where the covenant was first established, but a "wilderness of the peoples" (or nations). This signifies a place of spiritual desolation, testing, and exposure among the Gentile nations where Israel's true spiritual condition, characterized by idolatry and rebellion, will be laid bare. God Himself initiates and controls this difficult journey, emphasizing His divine purpose in their suffering.
* **"and there will I plead with you face to face.":** This second clause specifies the nature of the divine encounter within this symbolic wilderness. The Hebrew word for "plead" (shaphat) carries strong legal connotations, implying a judicial process, a divine lawsuit where God acts as both judge and prosecutor. The phrase "face to face" intensifies the directness and personal nature of this confrontation. It means God will engage with them directly, without intermediaries, in a stern and intimate reckoning, laying out His case against their disobedience and idolatry. This encounter is for judgment and purification, not necessarily for immediate revelation or communion.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 20:35 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, particularly in the phrase "wilderness of the people." While "wilderness" often evokes the historical Sinai experience of testing and covenant, here it is modified by "of the people" (or "peoples"), transforming it into a symbolic space of judgment and purification among the nations. It is not a literal desert but a spiritual crucible where Israel's true character will be exposed. The phrase "face to face" is an example of **Idiom** or **Repetition for Emphasis**. While it can signify intimate communion (as with Moses), in this context of "pleading" or judging, it underscores the direct, unavoidable, and personal nature of God's judicial confrontation with His people, leaving no room for escape or denial. The entire verse also functions as a **Prophetic Oracle**, a direct divine declaration of future action, characterized by God's "I will" statements, which highlight His absolute **Sovereignty** and unwavering purpose in His dealings with Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 20:35 powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even through severe discipline. It reveals that divine judgment is not merely punitive but often has a redemptive and purifying purpose. The "wilderness of the people" serves as a crucible where God confronts Israel's deep-seated idolatry and rebellion, aiming to separate the faithful remnant from the unrepentant. This process is essential for the ultimate restoration and renewal of the covenant, ensuring that the people who return to Him are truly His, having been refined through the fires of adversity. It underscores God's holiness and His demand for exclusive worship, demonstrating that He will not tolerate a divided heart among His chosen people.

* [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness")
* [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - God Invites Israel to Reason")
* [Jeremiah 31:31](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The Promise of a New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 20:35 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God is intimately involved in our lives, even when circumstances are challenging or painful. Just as Israel was brought into a "wilderness" for testing and purification, so too does God allow periods of difficulty, spiritual dryness, or intense scrutiny in our lives. These "wilderness" experiences are not arbitrary but are divinely ordained opportunities for God to confront areas of disobedience, idolatry, or lukewarmness within us. It's a call to accountability, where God "pleads" with us—not in a casual argument, but in a direct, personal, and authoritative manner, exposing what needs to be purged. Understanding this, we can embrace such seasons not with despair, but with a posture of humility and repentance, trusting that God's discipline, though painful, is ultimately for our good, designed to refine our faith, purify our motives, and draw us into a deeper, more authentic, and exclusive relationship with Him. It teaches us that true spiritual growth often emerges from divine confrontation and purification.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wilderness of the people" might God be leading me into in my own life, where I am being tested or confronted?**
* **In what areas might God be "pleading" with me "face to face," exposing hidden idols or areas of rebellion?**
* **How can I respond to God's refining discipline with a posture of humility and a desire for true purification, rather than resistance?**

### FAQ
**What is the "wilderness of the people" and how is it different from the wilderness of Sinai?**

Answer: The "wilderness of the people" (or "peoples") in Ezekiel 20:35 is a unique prophetic phrase, distinct from the literal wilderness of Sinai. While Sinai was a physical desert where Israel received the Law and entered into covenant with God after their exodus from Egypt (cf. [Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai")), the "wilderness of the people" is symbolic. It refers to the experience of the exiled Israelites being scattered among the Gentile nations (the "peoples"). In this symbolic wilderness, God would bring them to account for their persistent idolatry and rebellion, exposing their true spiritual condition. It signifies a place of divine judgment, purification, and separation, where the rebellious would be purged from the faithful remnant before any true restoration could occur. It's a spiritual crucible rather than a geographical location.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 20:35, with its imagery of a divine "pleading" and judgment in a "wilderness," finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament wilderness was a place of testing and judgment for Israel's rebellion, Christ Himself entered the wilderness for forty days, not to be judged for sin, but to be tempted and to overcome sin on humanity's behalf ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")). The "face to face" confrontation, which in Ezekiel was a stern judicial reckoning, is transformed in Christ into a gracious, yet still profound, encounter. Through His incarnation, God truly came "face to face" with humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), not primarily to condemn, but to save. The "pleading" (judgment) that was due to rebellious Israel, and indeed to all humanity, was fully borne by Christ on the cross, where He became sin for us, enduring the divine wrath so that we might receive reconciliation ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, the purifying work initiated by God in the Old Testament wilderness is perfectly accomplished through the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Believers, united with Christ, are now brought into a new covenant relationship where God's "pleading" is one of grace and sanctification, refining us by His Spirit, rather than condemning us, as we await our ultimate restoration in His presence ([Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline for Our Good")).

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.

Cross-References

Hosea 2:14

¶ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

Jeremiah 2:35

Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

Ezekiel 20:36

Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 17:20

And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.

Ezekiel 19:13

And now she [is] planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.

Revelation 12:14

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Micah 4:10

Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go [even] to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.