Ezekiel 20:13
But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
Ezekiel 20:13 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, God is expressing his disappointment and frustration with the house of Israel for rebelling against him in the wilderness. The Israelites refused to follow God's statues and judgments, which were meant to guide them and bring them life. Instead, they polluted God's sabbaths and chose to disobey his commandments. As a result of their disobedience, God decided to pour out his fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. This serves as a warning to all believers to obey God's commandments and walk in his ways, lest they face his wrath and judgment. It is a reminder of the importance of following God's laws and living a life that is pleasing to him, in order to receive his blessings and protection.
Theological Overview
When examining this verse through a theological lens, it is evident that the house of Israel demonstrated a pattern of rebellion against God during their time in the wilderness. They failed to walk in God's statutes and showed contempt for His judgments, which were designed for their own well-being and prosperity. By neglecting to observe the sabbaths and desecrating them, the Israelites further provoked God's anger. The consequences of their disobedience were severe, as God threatened to pour out His fury upon them in the wilderness in order to consume them. This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the serious consequences that come with persistent rebellion against Him.
Ezekiel 20:13 in other translations
American Standard Version
But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they rejected mine ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
World English Bible
But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they didn’t walk in my statutes, and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them.
Douay-Rheims
But the house of Israel provoked me in the desert: they walked not in my statutes, and they cast away my judgments, which if a man do he shall live in them: and they grievously violated my sabbaths. I said therefore that I would pour out my indignation upon them in the desert, and would consume them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wildernes: they walked not in my statutes, and they cast away my iudgements, which if a man doe, he shall liue in them, and my Sabbaths haue they greatly polluted: then I thought to powre out mine indignation vpon them in the wildernes to consume them,