What is the meaning of Ezekiel 20:4? Will you judge them Ezekiel 20 opens with Israel’s elders sitting before the prophet, hoping for a favorable word. Instead, the Lord says, “Will you judge them?” (v. 4). • God is assigning Ezekiel the task of declaring His already-settled verdict, much like in Ezekiel 22:2 and 23:36. • Judgment is not a guessing game; Romans 2:2 reminds us that “God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.” • The phrase underscores that divine justice is certain even when delivered through a human mouthpiece (Hebrews 10:30). Will you judge them The LORD repeats the charge for emphasis. • Repetition drives home urgency, echoing Genesis 41:32 where doubling a dream “means the matter has been firmly decided by God.” • It signals that grace has been offered repeatedly, but persistent rebellion (Ezekiel 20:13, 21) leaves no room for delay. • Justice will be impartial; Deuteronomy 32:4 calls Him “a God of faithfulness… just and upright is He.” son of man? By addressing Ezekiel this way, the LORD stresses the prophet’s humanity while elevating the divine message. • The title appears over ninety times in Ezekiel (e.g., 2:1, 3); it keeps the focus on God’s authority, not the messenger’s status. • It reminds every reader that God often uses ordinary vessels—“we have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7). • The question mark signals personal accountability: Ezekiel must decide whether he will faithfully announce the verdict, just as every believer must choose obedience (Acts 4:20). Confront them with the abominations of their fathers God instructs Ezekiel to lay out Israel’s persistent sin: • In Egypt—idolatry ignored God’s call (Ezekiel 20:7-8; Joshua 24:14). • In the wilderness—Sabbaths were profaned and statutes despised (20:13). • In the land—high places, child sacrifice, and alliances with pagan nations continued (20:27-31; 2 Kings 17:7-17). • Each generation copied the last; yet Ezekiel 18:20 affirms individual responsibility, showing that inherited patterns never excuse personal rebellion. • Confrontation aims at repentance, just as Nathan’s “You are the man!” brought David to confession (2 Samuel 12:7, 13). summary Ezekiel 20:4 is God’s solemn commissioning of His prophet to announce an unavoidable verdict. The double “Will you judge them” confirms divine justice, “son of man” highlights human instrumentality, and “Confront them with the abominations of their fathers” exposes generational sin that still demands personal repentance. The passage calls every reader to recognize God’s righteous judgment and to turn to Him in wholehearted obedience. |
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