Ezekiel 20:9
But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
But I acted for the sake of My name
This phrase emphasizes God's concern for His reputation and holiness. In biblical times, a name represented one's character and authority. God's actions are often motivated by the desire to uphold His holy name, as seen in other scriptures like Isaiah 48:11. This reflects the importance of God's name being revered and not associated with failure or unfaithfulness.

that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations
The profaning of God's name would occur if the nations perceived Him as unable to fulfill His promises or protect His people. In the ancient Near East, gods were often judged by the success of their followers. God's concern here is that His name remains holy and respected among the nations, aligning with His covenantal promises to Israel.

among whom they were living
This refers to the Israelites living among pagan nations during their captivity and exile. The surrounding nations were polytheistic, and Israel's monotheistic worship of Yahweh set them apart. The behavior and fate of Israel were a testimony to the power and character of their God, influencing how these nations viewed Yahweh.

in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel
God's revelation to Israel was unique and significant, involving direct communication and miraculous acts. This revelation began with the patriarchs and was solidified through the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Sinai. It established Israel as God's chosen people, with a special relationship and responsibility to reflect His holiness.

by bringing them out of the land of Egypt
The Exodus is a foundational event in Israel's history, symbolizing salvation and deliverance. It is frequently referenced throughout the Bible as a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness. This act prefigures the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who brings spiritual liberation from sin. The Exodus serves as a type of Christ's redemptive work, highlighting God's ability to save and His commitment to His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and given the Law to follow.

3. Egypt
The land of bondage from which God delivered the Israelites, symbolizing sin and oppression.

4. Nations
The surrounding peoples who observed Israel and through whom God's reputation was at stake.

5. God's Name
Represents His character, reputation, and the holiness that He desires to be recognized among all nations.
Teaching Points
God's Reputation Matters
God's actions are often motivated by the desire to uphold His holy name. As believers, we should live in a way that reflects His character and brings Him glory.

Deliverance as a Testimony
Just as God delivered Israel from Egypt, our personal testimonies of deliverance from sin should point others to God's power and faithfulness.

Holiness and Witness
Our conduct among non-believers should reflect God's holiness, serving as a witness to His transformative power in our lives.

God's Faithfulness
Despite Israel's failures, God remained faithful to His promises. We can trust in His unchanging nature and His commitment to His people.

Living for God's Glory
Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God. Every action and decision should be made with the intention of honoring His name.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's motivation for His name's sake change the way you view His actions in your life?

2. In what ways can your personal testimony serve as a witness to God's deliverance and faithfulness?

3. How can you ensure that your conduct among non-believers reflects God's holiness and brings glory to His name?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to live with the intention of glorifying God in your daily life?

5. How does the concept of God's faithfulness, despite human failure, encourage you in your spiritual journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 3:14-15
God's self-revelation to Moses as "I AM," establishing His eternal and unchanging nature, which He seeks to uphold among the nations.

Isaiah 48:9-11
God acts for His name's sake, emphasizing His commitment to His own glory and reputation.

Psalm 106:8
Highlights God's deliverance of Israel for the sake of His name, reinforcing His faithfulness and mercy.

Romans 2:24
Paul warns that God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of Israel's disobedience, showing the importance of living in a way that honors God.

1 Peter 2:12
Encourages believers to live honorably among the Gentiles so that God may be glorified.
The Divine Motive of ActionA. B. Davidson, D. D.Ezekiel 20:9
The Glory of God, His Principle of ActionD. Moore, M. A.Ezekiel 20:9
Unacceptable PrayerJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 20:1-32
God, and Israel in EgyptW. Jones Ezekiel 20:5-9
The Memory of the Great DeliveranceJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 20:5-9
People
Ezekiel, Israelites, Jacob, Teman
Places
Babylon, Bamah, Egypt, Negeb
Topics
Acted, Acting, Bring, Bringing, Dwelt, Egypt, Forth, Heathen, Honour, Israelites, Midst, Myself, Name's, Nations, Pollute, Polluted, Profaned, Revealed, Sake, Sight, Taking, Unclean, Worked, Wrought
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 20:9

     1185   God, zeal of
     1403   God, revelation
     8135   knowing God, nature of

Ezekiel 20:1-44

     7348   defilement

Ezekiel 20:9-10

     8332   reputation

Library
Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
God's procedure when imitable forms a peculiar argument for duty. That is made known for many reasons; among which must stand this,--that it may be observed and followed as an example. That, being perfect, is a safe and necessary pattern to follow. The law of God proclaims what he wills men as well as angels to do. The purposes of God show what he has resolved to have accomplished. The constitutions of his moral subjects intimate that he has provided that his will shall be voluntarily accomplished
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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