Ezekiel 20:16 - because they rejected my ordinances, and didn’t walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.

Generated Verse: Ezekiel 20:16

What does "Ezekiel 20:16" mean?


Ezekiel 20:16 describes the reason for God's judgment against the Israelites. It essentially says that they suffered consequences because they broke their covenant with God by:

Rejected my ordinances: They disregarded God's rules, laws, and commandments. They didn't value or adhere to the instructions God gave them on how to live righteously.
Didn't walk in my statutes: Similar to rejecting ordinances, they didn't follow God's prescribed way of life or moral principles. Statutes are often seen as specific decrees or laws.
Profaned my Sabbaths: They treated the Sabbath day, a day meant for rest, worship, and remembrance of God's covenant, as ordinary or even treated it with disrespect. They didn't set it apart as holy.
For their heart went after their idols: This is the root cause of their disobedience. Their hearts and affections were devoted to idols and false gods. This idolatry led them to disregard God's laws and profane His holy days.

In summary, the verse signifies that the Israelites were punished for their consistent disobedience and turning away from God to worship idols. Their actions showed a deep-seated rejection of God's authority and a preference for false gods, which resulted in divine judgment.

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