Ezekiel 11:20

so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.

Study Bible

so that they may follow My statutes
This phrase emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's laws. In the context of Ezekiel, the Israelites were in exile due to their disobedience. The statutes refer to the divine laws given to Israel, which are foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people. This echoes the covenant language found in Deuteronomy 4:1, where Moses instructs the Israelites to follow God's decrees to live and take possession of the land. The statutes are not merely legalistic requirements but are intended to guide the people in a life that reflects God's holiness and righteousness.

keep My ordinances
Ordinances are specific decrees or commands that God has established. In the historical context, these would include the ceremonial, civil, and moral laws given to Israel. Keeping these ordinances was a sign of faithfulness and commitment to God. This phrase highlights the continuity of God's expectations for His people, as seen in Leviticus 18:4-5, where God commands the Israelites to keep His statutes and ordinances to live by them. The emphasis on keeping ordinances underscores the relational aspect of the covenant, where obedience is a response to God's grace and love.

and practice them
Practicing God's laws involves not just understanding or acknowledging them but actively living them out. This phrase calls for a holistic application of God's commands in daily life. It reflects the biblical principle that faith without works is dead, as stated in James 2:26. The practice of God's laws is a demonstration of genuine faith and commitment. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, this would involve integrating God's commands into every aspect of life, from worship to social justice, reflecting God's character to the surrounding nations.

Then they will be My people
This phrase signifies the restoration of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Being God's people is a central theme throughout the Bible, beginning with God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 17:7. It indicates a special status and identity, chosen and set apart for God's purposes. In Ezekiel's context, this promise offers hope to the exiled Israelites that they will be restored to their land and relationship with God. It also foreshadows the New Covenant, where believers in Christ are grafted into God's people, as seen in Romans 9:25-26.

and I will be their God
This is the ultimate promise of the covenant, where God commits to being the protector, provider, and guide for His people. It reflects the intimate relationship God desires with His creation, as seen in the repeated covenant formula throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Exodus 6:7). This promise finds its fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who reconciles humanity to God, making it possible for believers to have a personal relationship with Him. Revelation 21:3 echoes this promise, where God dwells with His people in the new creation, signifying the consummation of His redemptive plan.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites, often involving visions and symbolic acts.

2. Israelites
The people of Israel, who are in exile due to their disobedience to God. They are the primary audience of Ezekiel's prophecies.

3. Babylon
The place of exile for the Israelites, representing both physical and spiritual separation from their homeland and God.

4. God
The central figure in the passage, expressing His desire for a covenant relationship with His people, characterized by obedience and faithfulness.

5. Jerusalem
The city that symbolizes the heart of Israel's spiritual life, which has been corrupted by idolatry and disobedience, leading to God's judgment.

Teaching Points

Covenant Relationship
God desires a deep, personal relationship with His people, characterized by mutual commitment. This relationship is not just about following rules but involves a transformation of the heart.

Obedience as a Response
Obedience to God's statutes and ordinances is a response to His love and grace. It is not about legalism but about living in a way that honors the covenant relationship.

Heart Transformation
True obedience comes from a transformed heart. God promises to change our hearts so that we can follow Him more closely.

Identity as God's People
Being God's people is both a privilege and a responsibility. It involves living in a way that reflects His character to the world.

Hope for Restoration
Even in times of judgment and exile, God offers hope for restoration and renewal. His promises are sure, and He is faithful to bring His people back to Himself.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Ezekiel 11:20 reflect the nature of the covenant relationship between God and His people?

2. In what ways does the promise of heart transformation in Ezekiel 11:20 encourage you in your personal walk with God?

3. How can we apply the principle of obedience as a response to God's love in our daily lives?

4. What are some practical ways to live out our identity as God's people in today's world?

5. How do the themes of restoration and hope in Ezekiel 11:20 connect with other parts of Scripture, and how can they encourage us in difficult times?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Jeremiah 31:33
This verse speaks of the new covenant where God will write His law on the hearts of His people, similar to the promise in Ezekiel 11:20 of internal transformation leading to obedience.

Deuteronomy 30:6
This passage discusses God circumcising the hearts of His people so they may love Him fully, paralleling the heart transformation in Ezekiel.

2 Corinthians 6:16
Paul references the idea of God dwelling among His people, echoing the covenant relationship described in Ezekiel 11:20.