Ezekiel 20:11

11 And I gave them my statutes, and I shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them.

Ezekiel 20:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 20:11

And I gave them my statutes
The precepts of his law, the law on Mount Sinai, of which there were not the like among other nations; nor were they given unto them, but were a special gift unto Israel, and greatly to be valued, ( Deuteronomy 4:8 ) ( Psalms 147:19 Psalms 147:20 ) ( 19:8-10 ) ; and showed them judgments:
the nature, use, and excellency of the the necessity and advantage of observing them: the same as before, called "statutes", because appointed, fixed, and certain, being of inviolable and lasting obligation; and "judgments", being according to strict justice and equity: these, though they were originally written on man's heart, yet so obliterated by sin that there was need not only of their being afresh written and published, but of their being taught and made known; or of pointing out the use of them, and obligation to them: which [if] a man do, he shall live in them;
or "by them" F7; in the land of Canaan, enjoying all the blessings of a long and happy life: reference seems to be had to ( Leviticus 18:5 ) . The Targum adds,

``in eternal life;''
but eternal life is not to be obtained by the works of the law, since no man can perfectly obey or fulfil it, but is the pure gift of the grace of God.
FOOTNOTES:

F7 (Mhb) "per ea", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus, Piscator; "propter ea", Pagninus.

Ezekiel 20:11 In-Context

9 But I did otherwise for my name’s sake, that it might not be violated before the nations, in the midst of whom they were, and among whom I made myself known to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
10 Therefore I brought them out from the land of Egypt, and brought them into the desert.
11 And I gave them my statutes, and I shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them.
12 Moreover I gave them also my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them: and that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.
13 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.
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