Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Ezekiel 20:21. It’s a really intense and dramatic verse that speaks about a rebellion against God. Here’s a simplified explanation: What’s Happening? Ezekiel 20:21 is describing a severe rebellion by the people of Israel – specifically, those who were with Moses – after he led them out of Egypt. It’s essentially saying they stopped following God's rules and laws. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Ezekiel 20:21” : This is a specific passage from the Book of Ezekiel, written during a very difficult time for the Jewish people under the rule of King Jehoiakim. It’s a moment of intense judgment and punishment. “Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me…” : This means that before this verse, the Israelites had been following God's laws and commandments. But, they started to disobey. The word “rebelled” suggests a strong act of defiance. “…they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them…” : This is the core of the problem. They stopped following God’s rules. “Statutes” refers to the laws and commandments given by God. "Judgments" means God's punishments or consequences for wrongdoing. Basically, they weren't adhering to what God expected of them. “…which a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths…” : This is where it gets really powerful. It’s saying that if a person follows God's laws and rules, they are granted life . But this rebellion caused the laws to be ruined. “Polluted my sabbaths” means they broke or ignored God’s holy times – like Sabbath days, which were important for rest and worship. “Then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.” : This is the climax of the verse. God, feeling deeply hurt by their defiance, declared that He would unleash a terrible punishment on them. He would make it very difficult for them to survive – he would send them into the wilderness with no food or water and let them struggle to find their way back. It's a message of utter destruction and hardship. What’s the Big Message? This verse is about the importance of obeying God’s laws. It highlights that when we don't follow God's instructions, we are subject to His judgment. It’s a warning against disobedience and a reminder that God holds us accountable for our actions. In short, it describes a time where the people of Israel broke off from their relationship with God and suffered serious consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect this passage to a specific story or event in biblical history? Discuss what this verse might be interpreted as about in terms of human behavior?