Ezekiel 20:9

9 But I wrought for My name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen among whom they were, in whose sight I made Myself known unto them in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

Ezekiel 20:9 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 20:9

But I wrought for my name's sake
In a way of grace and mercy; did well by thorn, did what he promised to do; not for any merits of theirs, but for his own honour, and the glory of his name: that it should not be polluted before the Heathen, among whom they
[were];
be spoken evil of, which is a polluting it; saying, either that he was not true to his word, in not doing what he promised; or else that it was not in his power to perform; either of which would reflect dishonour on his name, and so defile it: in whose sight I made myself known unto them;
by the wonders he wrought; and who, by one means or another, became acquainted with the promises of God to Israel, that he would bring them out of Egypt, and settle them in the land of Canaan: wherefore for the honour of his name he exerted his power, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt;
as he did, as follows:

Ezekiel 20:9 In-Context

7 then said I unto them: "Cast away every man of ye the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."

8 But they rebelled against Me and would not hearken unto Me. They did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. "`Then I said, "I will pour out My fury upon them, to accomplish My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt."

9 But I wrought for My name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen among whom they were, in whose sight I made Myself known unto them in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

10 Therefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.

11 And I gave them My statutes and showed them My judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.