Ezekiel 20:28

“For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.”

This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel where the prophet recounts the history of the Israelites’ disobedience and idolatry. In this verse, God speaks through Ezekiel, recalling the time when He brought the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Let’s break down the verse to understand its meaning and context.

“For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them…” – This portion refers to God fulfilling His promise to the Israelites by bringing them into the land He had sworn to give them. It recalls the Exodus and the subsequent journey through the wilderness.: 2. “…then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees…” – After entering the land, the Israelites encountered various pagan worship sites characterized by high hills and dense trees. These locations were often associated with the worship of idols and false gods.

“…and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering…” – Despite God’s commandments and warnings against idolatry, the Israelites succumbed to the influence of the surrounding pagan cultures. They offered sacrifices and engaged in idolatrous practices at these high places, provoking God’s anger.: 4. “…there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.” – The Israelites not only offered sacrifices but also burned incense, creating a pleasant aroma (“sweet savour”) associated with their idolatrous practices. Additionally, they poured out drink offerings as part of their rituals.

This verse highlights the disobedience and unfaithfulness of the Israelites even after God had led them into the Promised Land. They turned away from the worship of the true God and instead embraced the practices of the pagan nations around them, offering sacrifices and engaging in idolatry.

Ezekiel’s message throughout this passage and the book as a whole is a call to repentance and a warning of the consequences of disobedience. It serves as a reminder that God desires the faithfulness and exclusive worship of His people and that turning to idols and false gods will lead to judgment.

Overall, Ezekiel 20:28 teaches us about the importance of remaining faithful to God’s commandments and resisting the temptation to follow after false gods or engage in idolatrous practices. It serves as a cautionary reminder to maintain our devotion to the true and living God.