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.

But they rebelled {H4784} against me, and would {H14} not hearken {H8085} unto me: they did not every man {H376} cast away {H7993} the abominations {H8251} of their eyes {H5869}, neither did they forsake {H5800} the idols {H1544} of Egypt {H4714}: then I said {H559}, I will pour out {H8210} my fury {H2534} upon them, to accomplish {H3615} my anger {H639} against them in the midst {H8432} of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

"'But they rebelled against me and wouldn't listen to me; they did not, each of them, throw away the detestable things that drew their eyes; and they did not abandon the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my fury on them and spend my anger on them there in the land of Egypt.

But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.

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 would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 20:8 is part of a longer prophetic message where God, through Ezekiel, recounts Israel's rebellious history to a group of elders seeking guidance. This particular verse refers to the generation of Israelites who were still in Egypt or had just been delivered from it. God reminds them of His gracious acts of choosing them and bringing them out of slavery, yet immediately highlights their profound and early disobedience. Despite witnessing God's power and promises, they clung to the spiritual defilement of their oppressors, provoking divine anger even before the dramatic events of the Exodus were fully complete.

Key Themes

  • Persistent Rebellion: The verse underscores Israel's consistent pattern of rebelling against God's commands and refusing to "hearken" (listen and obey) to His voice. This highlights a deep-seated spiritual stubbornness.
  • Idolatry and Defilement: A central theme is the people's unwillingness to abandon the "abominations of their eyes" and the "idols of Egypt." This illustrates the pervasive nature of idolatry and syncretism, where they attempted to blend their worship of God with the pagan practices they had grown accustomed to. This spiritual impurity was a direct violation of God's covenant with them, particularly the First Commandment.
  • Divine Justice and Consequence: God's declaration, "I will pour out my fury upon them," reveals His righteous anger and the inevitable consequences of sustained disobedience and spiritual unfaithfulness. While His patience is great, His justice demands a response to rebellion. This threat of judgment in Egypt foreshadows the discipline they would experience throughout their history.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "abominations of their eyes" (Hebrew: shiqqutz, meaning 'detestable thing' or 'idol') emphasizes that the idols were not just objects but things they *beheld* and found appealing, indicating a heart problem. Their eyes led them astray. The terms "fury" (Hebrew: chemah) and "anger" (Hebrew: 'aph) denote strong, intense divine displeasure, underscoring the seriousness of their rebellion. God's anger is not capricious but a just response to their persistent sin.

Related Scriptures

The rebellion described here sets a precedent for Israel's future actions, as reminded by Moses in Deuteronomy 9:7: "Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness." This early rebellion against God and their attachment to foreign gods is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, leading to the judgments described by prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 44:22).

Practical Application

Ezekiel 20:8 serves as a powerful warning against spiritual complacency and syncretism in any age. Just as the Israelites struggled to fully separate from Egyptian idolatry, believers today can be tempted to cling to worldly values, habits, or affections that are an "abomination" to God, even while claiming to follow Him. This verse calls for a complete and wholehearted commitment to God, casting away anything that defiles our walk or competes for His rightful place in our lives. It reminds us that while God is merciful, He also expects obedience and will address unrepented sin.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 63:10

    But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.

  • Ezekiel 7:8

    Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 5:13

    Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it] in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

  • Ezekiel 20:7

    Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 9:7

    ¶ Remember, [and] forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.