Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did, prostituting yourselves with their abominations? Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says:This phrase establishes the authority of the message. The "house of Israel" refers to the collective people of Israel, emphasizing their identity as God's chosen nation. The phrase "the Lord GOD" underscores the divine origin of the message, indicating that it is not merely a human opinion but a directive from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This introduction is typical of prophetic literature, where the prophet acts as a mouthpiece for God, delivering His words to the people. Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did,
The term "defile" suggests ritual and moral impurity, which in the context of Israel, often involved idolatry and the breaking of covenant laws. The reference to "your fathers" points to the historical pattern of disobedience among the Israelites, particularly during the wilderness wanderings and the period of the Judges. This phrase calls to mind the cyclical nature of Israel's sin, repentance, and deliverance, as seen throughout the Old Testament. It serves as a warning against repeating the mistakes of previous generations. prostituting yourselves with their abominations?
The imagery of "prostituting" is frequently used in the Bible to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God, likening idolatry to spiritual adultery. "Abominations" refers to detestable practices, often associated with idol worship and pagan rituals, which were strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law. This language is intended to convey the severity of Israel's sin and the depth of their betrayal of God. The use of such strong imagery highlights the seriousness of idolatry and its consequences, as seen in the destruction and exile that befell Israel. This phrase also echoes the prophetic theme of calling God's people back to faithfulness and purity, as seen in other prophets like Hosea and Jeremiah. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites. 2. House of IsraelRefers to the collective people of Israel, who are being addressed by God through Ezekiel. 3. God (Yahweh)The sovereign Lord who speaks through Ezekiel, calling His people to account for their actions. 4. Fathers/AncestorsThe previous generations of Israelites who engaged in idolatry and disobedience. 5. AbominationsRefers to the idolatrous practices and sins that the Israelites' ancestors committed, which were detestable to God. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can also be anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must examine our hearts for modern-day idols. Learning from the PastThe history of Israel serves as a warning. We should learn from their mistakes and strive to remain faithful to God. God's Call to RepentanceGod continually calls His people to turn away from sin and return to Him. Repentance is a crucial step in restoring our relationship with God. Generational InfluenceThe actions of one generation can impact the next. We must be mindful of the legacy we leave for future generations. Faithfulness in WorshipTrue worship involves a heart fully devoted to God, free from the contamination of worldly practices and beliefs. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "abominations" or idols that can distract us from our relationship with God? 2. How can we ensure that we are learning from the mistakes of past generations, both biblically and in our own family histories? 3. In what ways does God call us to repentance today, and how can we respond to that call? 4. How can we guard against the influence of cultural practices that are contrary to our faith? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that our worship remains pure and focused solely on God? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5The commandment against idolatry, which the Israelites repeatedly violated, leading to God's judgment. Jeremiah 7:9-10Highlights the hypocrisy of the Israelites who engaged in idolatry yet claimed to worship God. 1 Corinthians 10:6-11Paul warns the Corinthians by using the Israelites' history as an example of what not to do, emphasizing the consequences of idolatry and disobedience. Psalm 106:35-39Describes the Israelites' mingling with other nations and adopting their idolatrous practices, leading to their downfall. People Ezekiel, Israelites, Jacob, TemanPlaces Babylon, Bamah, Egypt, NegebTopics Abominations, Astray, A-whoring, Cause, Commit, Deeds, Defile, Defiled, Detestable, Disgusting, Fathers, Fornication, Harlot, Images, Lewd, Lust, Making, Manner, Play, Pollute, Polluted, Prostitute, Says, Thus, Unclean, Untrue, Vile, Wherefore, Whoredom, Works, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 20:30 6103 abomination
6200 imperfection, influence Ezekiel 20:1-44 7348 defilement Ezekiel 20:13-44 8807 profanity Ezekiel 20:30-31 5325 gifts
8128 guidance, receiving
8648 enquiring of God Ezekiel 20:30-38 8345 servanthood, and worship Library Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of PietyManner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
God's procedure when imitable forms a peculiar argument for duty. That is made known for many reasons; among which must stand this,--that it may be observed and followed as an example. That, being perfect, is a safe and necessary pattern to follow. The law of God proclaims what he wills men as well as angels to do. The purposes of God show what he has resolved to have accomplished. The constitutions of his moral subjects intimate that he has provided that his will shall be voluntarily accomplished …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezekiel 20:30 NIVEzekiel 20:30 NLTEzekiel 20:30 ESVEzekiel 20:30 NASBEzekiel 20:30 KJV
Ezekiel 20:30 Commentaries
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