Definition: Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 20:22. It's a really interesting one with a lot of layers! Here’s what it basically means, explained simply: The Core Idea: God is worried about how the people of Israel (and later, all of humanity) will perceive Him. He’s actively trying to protect His name – His character and identity – from being tarnished or misrepresented. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand…” : This is a bit dramatic! It means God took a step back, stopped his actions, or made a decision to prevent something bad from happening. It’s not that he stopped doing something entirely, but he intentionally altered his plan. “…and wrought for my name’s sake…” : This is the key part! “Wrought” means to create or make something. God was actively working to improve His name – to make it look good and be respected. “that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen…” : This is where it gets really important. "Heathen" means people who are unfamiliar with the traditions and beliefs of Judaism, which at that time was a very significant part of the Jewish community. He’s trying to protect His reputation from being misunderstood or criticized by those outside of his faith. “…in whose sight I brought them forth.” : This is a bit tricky. "Brought them forth" means he showed them, revealed them, or introduced them to something. The “in whose sight” part emphasizes that he was the one who made this happen – and that's why he’s so concerned about how they will view Him. So, putting it all together: God is consciously working to ensure His name is always presented positively, even when people don't understand him or his actions. It's a proactive effort to safeguard His reputation and honor. Why is this important? This verse speaks to the idea that God is involved in everything – even in how we perceive Him. He’s not just passively allowing things to happen; he’s actively trying to influence the world around him to reflect a good image of Himself. --- Important Note: This is a complex passage, and there's a lot of interpretation about its meaning. It's often interpreted as a reminder that God is actively involved in the world and that we should strive to live our lives with integrity and honor Him. Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail? Discuss its connection to other biblical stories? Provide a simpler, more straightforward explanation?