What was happening when the elders of Israel came and sat before Ezekiel?

The elders came during the exile, in the seventh year of their captivity, and sat before Ezekiel to ask God for guidance. Outwardly it looked serious and respectful, but God saw their hearts. They were living in sin and still holding on to idols, yet wanted God to speak to them and help them. So instead of giving them the answer they expected, God told Ezekiel to confront them with their sin and to walk them back through their history, starting from Egypt, to show how long their rebellion had gone on.

Why did God say, “I will not be enquired of by you”?

God said this because the elders were coming to Him without real repentance. They wanted His guidance while they were still attached to their sins and idols. God is holy and does not treat such hypocrisy lightly. When people try to use God’s word without any intention to obey it, He may refuse to answer in the way they expect. In this passage, His refusal itself is part of His answer, showing that He will not pretend things are fine when hearts are hard and unwilling to turn back to Him.

What does it mean that God chose Israel and lifted up His hand to them in Egypt?

When God says He chose Israel and lifted up His hand to the seed of Jacob, He is talking about His promise and oath to be their God and to bring them out of Egypt. Lifting up the hand pictures swearing and pledging Himself. He made Himself known to them in Egypt, told them clearly, “I am the Lord your God,” and promised to lead them into a good land flowing with milk and honey. This shows that their special place with Him was based on His grace and promise, not on their goodness.

What were the “abominations of their eyes” and the idols of Egypt?

The “abominations of their eyes” are the idols they looked at and desired. God told each person to throw away these filthy idols and not to defile themselves with the gods of Egypt. Instead of hating these idols, many in Israel were drawn to them and would not let them go, even after God had promised to rescue them. So these abominations are not just statues, but the whole false worship that captured their eyes and hearts, showing they preferred created things over the God who had chosen them.

How did Israel rebel against God while still in Egypt?

Even in Egypt, before the exodus, God spoke to Israel, made Himself known, and commanded them to cast away their idols. But many did not listen. They would not throw away the abominations they loved or give up Egyptian idols. This was open rebellion, because they were refusing the very God who was about to rescue them. Their disobedience was so serious that God said He would pour out His fury on them in Egypt. It shows that their problem with idolatry started early and was deep in their hearts.

What does it mean that God acted “for my name’s sake”?

When God says He acted for His name’s sake, He means He spared and rescued Israel to protect the honor of His name among the nations. The surrounding peoples had seen His promises and His power. If He had destroyed Israel in Egypt, they might have said He was unfaithful or too weak to save. So God showed mercy, not because Israel deserved it, but so that His name would not be dragged through the mud. This reminds us that God’s glory and reputation are at the center of His saving work.

What does this passage teach about God’s character?

This passage shows that God is holy, patient, and faithful to His own name. He sees through hypocrisy and will not be used by people who cling to their sin. He cares deeply about obedience and hates idolatry. At the same time, He chooses a people in grace, makes Himself known, and keeps His promises even when they rebel. He was ready to judge Israel in Egypt, yet He held back for the sake of His name among the nations. So we see both His strict justice and His undeserved mercy together.

How does God’s refusal to answer here speak to people today?

The scene warns anyone who wants God’s help but refuses God’s ways. The elders wanted answers, but they did not want to turn from their idols. Today it is easy to pray, read Scripture, or seek advice while keeping favorite sins hidden. This passage shows that God cares about the heart behind the questions. The way forward is not to stop asking, but to come honestly, willing to let go of whatever He calls sin. When people seek Him with a repentant heart, He delights to hear and to guide.

Ezek.20.1

Ezekiel 20:1

KJV

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 me.

Israel’s Rebellion in Egypt

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 me.

Then came the word of the Lord unto me, saying,

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 of by you.

Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:

¶ 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;

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:

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.