Ezekiel 20:43

And there shall yee remember your wayes, & all your doings, wherein ye haue bene defiled, and ye shal lothe your selues in your owne sight, for all your euils that ye haue committed. Ezekiel 20:43 (KJV)

The verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel where the prophet rebukes the people of Israel for their disobedience and idolatry. In this context God speaks through Ezekiel, calling the Israelites to reflect on their past actions, acknowledge their sins, and experience a sense of disgust or loathing towards themselves for the evil they have committed.

Ezekiel 20 recounts the history of Israel’s rebelliousness and idolatry, highlighting their persistent transgressions throughout the years. Despite God’s faithfulness and the numerous opportunities He gave them to turn away from their wickedness, the Israelites continued to follow the practices of the nations around them and worship false gods. The preceding verses speak of God bringing His people out of Egypt, leading them through the wilderness, and giving them His statutes and judgments, yet the people rebelled, refused to obey, and defiled themselves with the abominable practices of the surrounding peoples.

In verse 20:43 God calls for a moment of introspection. He instructs the people to remember their ways and all their doings, recognizing the depths of their spiritual pollution, so that they would come to loathe themselves in their own sight. The passage also says, “And I will bring you again into the wilderness of the peoples, and there shall ye be loathed, and there will I cause you to dwell in a desert place,” underscoring that the people will be loathed in the wilderness as a stark illustration of the judgment awaiting them because of their defilement. This external contempt underscores the severity of their sin and the need for genuine repentance.

The verse emphasizes the importance of repentance and self‑reflection. Genuine repentance involves a change of heart, a deep sorrow for one’s sins, and a desire to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness. God desires His people to be remorseful for their transgressions, to recognize the consequences of their actions, and to turn away from their wickedness.

Furthermore, despite the Israelites’ repeated disobedience, God does not abandon them completely. In the subsequent verses God declares that He will purify and gather His people, bringing them back to the land of Israel and establishing a new covenant with them. This reveals God’s mercy and grace even amid judgment.

In summary, Ezekiel 20:43 serves as a warning of the contempt the Israelites will face due to their sinful ways. It reminds them of the seriousness of their transgressions and urges them to repent, seek forgiveness, and turn back to God, while also demonstrating God’s willingness to extend mercy and grace to His people despite their shortcomings.