Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand ,.... When it was stretched out against them, as in the above instance, and did not utterly consume them. The Targum is, "and I turned away the stroke of my might:' 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 . See Gill on Ezekiel 20:9 and See Gill on Ezekiel 20:14 . read more
I lifted up mine hand also to them in the wilderness ,.... Swore unto them, as in Ezekiel 20:5 ; that I would scatter them among the Heathen, and disperse them through the countries ; after they came to be settled in the land of Canaan, they sinning against the Lord; which was fulfilled in the times of the Babylonish captivity, and in their destruction by the Romans; but was threatened and foretold while they were in the wilderness, Leviticus 26:33 ; with this compare Psalm 106:26 ... read more
Because they had not executed my judgments ,.... Had not done that which was right and just, as the Lord commanded them: but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths ; as their fathers had done: and their eyes were after their fathers' idols ; which they had learned to serve in Egypt, or brought with them from thence; these the eyes and the hearts of their children were after, as theirs find been; and they were more desirous, encouraged, and emboldened to serve them,... read more
I gave them my Sabbaths - The religious observance of the Sabbath was the first statute or command of God to men. This institution was a sign between God and them, to keep them in remembrance of the creation of the world, of the rest that he designed them in Canaan, and of the eternal inheritance among the saints in light. Of these things the Sabbath was a type and pledge. read more
But the house of Israel rebelled - They acted in the wilderness just as they had done in Egypt; and he spared them there for the same reason. See Ezekiel 20:9 . read more
I lifted up my hand - Their provocations in the wilderness were so great, that I vowed never to bring them into the promised land. I did not consume them, but I disinherited them. See the note on Ezekiel 20:5 ; (note). read more
But I said unto their children - These I chose in their fathers' stead; and to them I purposed to give the inheritance which their fathers by disobedience lost. read more
I withdrew mine hand - I had just lifted it up to crush them as in a moment; for they also were idolatrous, and walked in the steps of their fathers. read more
Verse 12 Besides the law God here commends his Sabbaths, which we know to be only a part of His law: nay, whoever compares the commandments one by one, will at first sight perceive more weight in others than in the fourth. For what is the meaning of that commandment, You shall not have any strange god? You shall not make any idols? Afterwards, Do not take God’s name in vain? (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7.) I answer, that the Prophet takes one precept of the law the better to explain what I have... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 20:21
Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me ,.... After the death of their fathers, when they were come into the plains of Moab, and just going to enter the land; they rebelled against the Lord, and greatly provoked him, by joining themselves to Baalpeor, the idol of Moab, they worshipped, Numbers 25:3 ; they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them ; they did as their fathers before them; though they saw with their eyes the judgments of God upon them, yet... read more