Key Verse Spotlight
Ezekiel 20:23 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
King James Version
" I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries; "
Ezekiel 20:23
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
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.
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.
I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
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From This Chapter
Ezekiel 20:1
"And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before"
Ezekiel 20:2
"Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 20:3
"Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired"
Ezekiel 20:4
"Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:"
Ezekiel 20:5
"And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;"
Ezekiel 20:6
"In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:"
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