Ezekiel 20:26
French (La Bible expliquée)
Je les ai laissés se rendre impurs par des offrandes qui consistaient à tuer leurs premiers-nés. Ils en ont été eux-mêmes frappés d'horreur et ainsi ils ont reconnu que je suis le Seigneur. » Ce passage surprenant et choquant pourrait signifier, à première vue, que Dieu a délibérément donné de mauvaises lois (le commandement de sacrifier des enfants) afin de punir son peuple. Celui-ci aurait obéi uniquement à ces mauvaises lois sans tenir compte de la loi du rachat destinée précisément à épargner la vie des premiers-nés (Ex 13.12-13). L'espoir ne viendrait alors que de la perspective du don d'une nouvelle loi, dont Ézékiel, comme un nouveau Moïse, se fait le porte-parole à la fin du livre (chap. 40–48). Mais ces versets peuvent aussi signifier que les Israélites percevaient – à tort – certaines de leurs pratiques idolâtres comme des lois données par Dieu. Le prophète ironiserait alors sur cette compréhension erronée, en présentant Dieu comme quelqu'un qui donne de mauvaises lois.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, God is speaking and says that He made the Israelites' offerings unholy because they sacrificed their firstborn to false gods. This was to make them understand their dire situation and recognize that He is the true Lord.
Explained for Children
Imagine if you had a favorite toy that you wanted to give to a pretend toy god, but your parents said, 'No, that's wrong, and it makes your gift not special anymore.' God is telling the Israelites that their actions made their gifts not special, so they could understand that He is the real God they should listen to.
Historical Background
Ezekiel wrote this verse around 590 BC, during a time when the Israelites were being exiled from their homeland for their disobedience. This message was to a group of people who were struggling with idol worship and needed to be reminded of God's authority.
Living It Out Today
Today, we might face situations where we try to please other things or people instead of God, like prioritizing wealth or status over faith. This verse reminds us that God wants us to focus on Him and not let other things distract us from our relationship with Him.
Topics
idolatryworshipGod's sovereigntysacrificefaithfulnessexile
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God say He 'polluted' the gifts?
God 'polluted' the gifts because the Israelites were sacrificing their firstborn to false gods, which made their offerings unholy and displeasing to Him.
What does it mean to 'make them desolate'?
Making them desolate means that God wanted the Israelites to feel the consequences of their actions and recognize their dire situation, leading them to turn back to Him.
What does 'that I might make them desolate' teach us?
This phrase teaches us that sometimes, God allows difficult circumstances to happen so that people can realize their need for Him and turn back to Him.
How can we apply this verse to our lives today?
We can apply this verse by ensuring that our actions and decisions are focused on honoring God, not on pleasing other things or people, and by being mindful of the consequences of our choices.