Ezekiel 20:1-44

Ezekiel 20:10-12

Ezekiel 20:10–12 CSB

10 “ ‘So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness. 11 Then I gave them my statutes and explained my ordinances to them—the person who does them will live by them. 12 I also gave them my Sabbaths to serve as a sign between me and them, so that they would know that I am the Lord who consecrates them.

Questions:

What does it mean to “live by them?”

What does “statutes and ordinances” mean?

Quick Summary:

God saved a group of people.

They rebelled.

God remained faithful and promised life to the children of the group.

The children rebelled.

Have you ever heard anyone say, “We should be more like Sweden?” or “We should be more like France?” or any other nation? Our challenge is to be more like the Kingdom of God, not a nation on earth.

Ezekiel 20:32 CSB

32 “ ‘When you say, “Let’s be like the nations, like the clans of other countries, serving wood and stone,” what you have in mind will never happen.

Biblical Context:

We have seen individual responsibility for judgment, leadership responsibility for judgment, and now we are seeing generational responsibility for judgment.

Remember, God, through Ezekiel, made it clear that they were not guilty solely because of one particular generation, but instead that all people are guilty and have led themselves into judgment. That means that no matter what generation was the “greatest generation” of Israel, they were still the guilty generation of Israel. That means that grandparents who lied, parents who hated, and kids who murdered are all guilty of sin. That means that no matter the degree of sin, or the prevalence of sin, everyone is responsible for the result of sin.

So, individuals, leaders, and generations of families are responsible for the results of the sin in Israel, which is exile and destruction.

Today, I want you to walk away and remember that God has called you into life and following His Word is what leads to life.