Ezekiel 20:44

44 Then you will know that I am the LORD, because I will deal with you for the sake of my name. I will not deal with you based on the evil and corrupt things that you have done, nation of Israel, declares the Almighty LORD.'"

Ezekiel 20:44 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 20:44

And ye shall know that I am the Lord
Jehovah their righteousness, their Redeemer and Saviour, Lord and King; they shall know Christ, and him crucified, and God in Christ as their covenant God; (See Gill on Ezekiel 20:42); when I have wrought with you for my name's sake; in the thorough conversion of them; not that there is any cooperation with God in that work; ministers indeed are coworkers, not as efficients, but instruments; persons converted are wholly passive in the first work of conversion or regeneration; and in all later actings move as they are acted, turn being turned, walk and run being drawn, not being able to do anything as of themselves: but the phrase signifies a working in favour of them; doing great things for them, and good things in them, well pleasing in his sight, and good unto them; plucking them as brands out of the burning; taking them out of the hands of Satan; calling them out of darkness into light, and bringing them out of bondage into liberty; and all this for his own name's sake,
of his own will and pleasure, according to his abundant mercy, and for the glory of his rich grace: not according to your wicked ways, not according to your corrupt
doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord God;
had he, they must have perished in their sins, and been miserable for ever; but he neither proceeds according to the bad works nor the good works of men, in calling and converting them, but according to his own purpose and grace, ( 2 Timothy 1:9 ) , their evil works do not hinder his grace when he is resolved to work, and their good works do not merit it; he acts freely, and in a sovereign way.

Ezekiel 20:44 In-Context

42 Then you will know that I am the LORD, because I will bring you to the land of Israel, the land that I promised to give your ancestors.
43 There you will remember the way you lived and everything you did to dishonor yourselves. You will be disgusted by every wrong thing that you did.
44 Then you will know that I am the LORD, because I will deal with you for the sake of my name. I will not deal with you based on the evil and corrupt things that you have done, nation of Israel, declares the Almighty LORD.'"
45 The LORD spoke his word to me. He said,
46 "Son of man, turn to the south, preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest in the Negev.
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