Ezekiel 20:14

14 But instead, I acted for the sake of my name so that it wouldn't be degraded in the sight of the nations who saw me lead them out of Egypt.

Ezekiel 20:14 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 20:14

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be
polluted before the Heathen (See Gill on Ezekiel 20:9); who would be ready to say it was for want of power, or faithfulness, or, goodness, that he did not bring them into the promised land; or there was no such land to bring them to God's own glory was concerned, and that is his ultimate end in all he does; and is of more weight with him than any other argument whatever: in whose sight I brought them out;
from Egypt, into the wilderness; this was done publicly in the sight of the Egyptians, they urging them to be gone.

Ezekiel 20:14 In-Context

12 I also gave them my sabbaths as a sign between us that I, the LORD, have set them apart for my purpose.

13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the desert. They didn't follow my regulations and rejected my case laws, which bring life to all who observe them. They completely degraded my sabbaths. So I declared that I would pour out my anger against them and destroy them in the desert.

14 But instead, I acted for the sake of my name so that it wouldn't be degraded in the sight of the nations who saw me lead them out of Egypt.

15 So in the desert I swore another solemn pledge, that I wouldn't bring them to the land that I had given to them, a land full of milk and honey, a land more splendid than any other,

16 because they rejected my case laws, didn't follow my regulations, and degraded my sabbaths. They had their hearts set on their idols.