Ezekiel 20:3

Arabic Bible Life (Targamet El Hayah) (LA)

«ياابن آدم، قل لشيوخ إسرائيل: هذا ما يعلنه السيد الرب: هل جئتم لتستشيروني؟ حي أنا، لن أتيح لكم طلب المشورة مني.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, God, through the prophet Ezekiel, tells the elders of Israel that He will not answer their questions. God is saying He won't be asked for help by people who have not turned away from their sinful ways.

Explained for Children

Imagine if your friend came to you after breaking your favorite toy, asking for help with homework. You might feel upset and say, 'I won't help you until you fix what you've done.' God is feeling the same way about the Israelites in this verse.

Historical Background

The verse was written by the prophet Ezekiel around 593 BCE. He was speaking to the elders of Israel, who were in exile in Babylon. The Israelites had turned away from God and were now trying to seek His guidance, but God was not ready to answer them until they repented.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this verse can be seen as a reminder that we must be sincere in our desire to seek God. If we are not truly repentant, God may not respond to our requests. For example, someone who continues to lie but asks God for help in passing an exam isn't showing true repentance.

Topics

• repentance
• sin
• divine communication
• judgment
• elderly
• exile

Related Verses

• Isaiah 1:15
• Amos 5:21
• John 9:31
• James 4:3
• 1 Peter 3:12

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is God unwilling to be enquired by the Israelites?

God is unwilling because the Israelites are not truly repentant for their sins. They continue to do evil, and their inquiries are not sincere.

What does this verse teach about seeking God?

This verse teaches that we should seek God with a sincere heart and be willing to turn away from our sins. Otherwise, God may not respond to our inquiries.

What can we learn about the character of God from this verse?

From this verse, we can understand that God is just and expects His people to be sincere and repentant. He will not be used or approached insincerely.

How does this verse relate to the concept of repentance?

This verse emphasizes the importance of genuine repentance. Without it, God will not respond to our inquiries, highlighting that true change of heart is necessary for divine communication.