[:en]SCRIPTURE: EZEKIEL 20
“I am am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Keep my Sabbath holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:19-20)
“You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord” (Ezekiel 20:44)
REBELLIOUS ISRAEL
Ezekiel reviewed the history of Israel: the Exodus (vs. 1-9), the wilderness journey (vs. 10-13), and the conquest of their land (vs. 18-32). It revealed two facts: (1)-the nation rebelled against God by defiling themselves to idols (2)-the Lord gave them judgment for His name’s sake.
JUDGMENT AND RESTORATION:
For His name’s sake, God chastened them, but He also restored them and gave them hope. He had fulfilled His promise to gather them back to their land.[:]