Title: Israel's Disobedience and God's Grace / Ezekiel 20
Israel's Disobedience and God's Grace
Ezekiel 20
Ezekiel 20-24 records the rebellious history of Judah, and this chapter is the introductory part.
1. Israel's disobedience (1-32)
This paragraph is a stark record of Israel's past treason. Ezekiel is preaching the wrath of God by impeaching the people who disobeyed God by constantly worshiping idols in Egypt, the wilderness, and Canaan.
① The situation where the elders of Israel go to ask questions (1-4)
② Point out idolatry in Egypt (5-9) ③ Point out betrayal in the wilderness (10-26)
④ Idol worship in Canaan (27-29) ⑤ Israel’s current sins (30-32)
The standard for judging the actions of the people of Israel is the Mosaic Covenant. God, who freed Israel from slavery in Egypt, required the covenant people to be faithful to the law, the provisions of the covenant. In particular, this law is centered on the Ten Commandments. It points out that Israel has been guilty of idolatry from generation to generation.
The main point of this paragraph is
(1) God saved the idolatrous Israel from Egypt (7-9a). This shows that the salvation of Israel is not based on works or conditions, but only on God's grace in keeping the Abrahamic covenant. God appeared to the unbelieving people of Israel, who had been enslaved by idols, and gave them freedom and liberation. Only God's sovereign choice is the only condition for salvation. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his love for us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(2) God is faithful to fulfill his promises for his name.(9b, 14, 22) From the time Israel was saved from Egypt, their lives in the wilderness and even their lives in the land of Canaan are inevitably subject to God's judgment. I heard Their rebellion, idolatry, and ignorance of God were natural even if they were judged by God. But God did not see their deeds, but faithfully led Israel for His name's sake. The reason the people of Israel could have hope in their lives was not because of themselves, but because of God's faithfulness.
2. Israel's present and future (33-49)
① The rebuke of the present state of Israel (33-39)
② Prophecy about the future restoration of Israel (40-44)
③ Prophecy of judgment on the south (45-49)
The central feature of this paragraph is
(1) The true restoration of the people of Israel is directly related to the restoration of worship (40-44).
The future restoration of Israel appears in relation to the restoration of worship. True worship presupposes knowing God rightly. That is, it shows that the knowledge of God is complete. In this respect, the restoration of worship is a sign of Israel's salvation and blessing.
(2) God's salvation and judgment are simultaneous. (45-49)