Ezekiel 20:25 says, “Moreover, I gave them statutes that were not good and rules by which they could not have life.” This verse raises an important question – why would God give his people statutes and rules that are “not good” and prevent life? To properly understand this passage, we need to examine the context.
The Context of Ezekiel 20
Ezekiel 20 is a message given by God to the prophet Ezekiel to deliver to the elders of Israel. In this chapter, God gives a lengthy rebuke of Israel for their history of rebelling against Him and worshipping idols. God reviews how he chosen Israel and delivered them out of Egypt, gave them good statutes and commands to follow, provided for their needs, and promised to bring them into the land of Canaan. However, at every step along the way, Israel rebelled against God and refused to listen to His voice. They worshipped idols, practiced child sacrifice, desecrated the Sabbath, and followed after the unrighteous statues of the nations around them (Ezekiel 20:1-26).
It is in this context of chronic rebellion by Israel that God declares in verse 25 that he gave them “statutes that were not good and rules by which they could not have life.” To properly understand this verse, we have to understand it in light of Israel’s repeated pattern of rebellion against God.
Interpretations of Ezekiel 20:25
There are several interpretations of what God means when he says he gave Israel “statutes that were not good”:
- God allowed Israel to follow their own sinful desires. As part of His judgment against them, God withdrew His hand of protection and guidance and allowed Israel to walk in their own ways and follow after statutes that were not good (Psalm 81:11-12). He actively gave them over to their sins as part of His act of judgment.
- God permitted Israel to experience the natural consequences of sin. By rebelling against Him, Israel opened itself up to the corrupting influences of the pagan nations around them. God allowed them to experience the damaging results of following unrighteous statues.
- God commanded punishments appropriate to Israel’s sins. Some argue the “statutes that were not good” refer to punishments God commanded that appropriately matched Israel’s own evil behavior in a system of just retribution.
- God is speaking rhetorically or metaphorically. The language of “giving statutes that were not good” is a rhetorical or metaphorical way of describing how Israel rejected God’s good laws and embraced pagan practices instead.
- The laws of the pagan nations. The “statutes” refer to the evil practices and laws of the Egyptians and Canaanites that Israel adopted through their repeated rebellions against God.
The Best Interpretation
Of these interpretations, the first two options provide the best understanding of this difficult passage. When read in the overall context of Ezekiel 20, it is clear God is recounting Israel’s long history of rebellion against Him, despite His patience and mercy. As part of His act of judgment, He withdraws His protective hand and turns them over to their own sinful desires. The “statutes that were not good” are best understood as the pagan laws and practices that Israel embraced as a result of forsaking God’s good statutes.
Verse 25 highlights a sobering reality – when we reject God’s wise and gracious commands, we open ourselves up to following “rules by which they could not have life.” Forsaking God’s life-giving Word leads only to death and misery. God patiently warns His people of this danger, but when they persist in rebellion, He gradually abandons them to the folly of their own ways.
Ezekiel 20:25 serves as a stark warning that rejecting God’s laws to follow our own sinful desires leads only to judgment and spiritual ruin. Our good and gracious God wants to give us statutes that produce abundant life. But He will not tolerate open rebellion forever. If we forsake Him and grasp for autonomy, we will reap the ugly fruit that results.
This difficult verse reinforces a consistent biblical theme – the importance of clinging to God’s commands, for in them there is life and blessing. Forsaking the Author of life leads to embracing the lies of the enemy that promise freedom but in the end only lead to slavery, dysfunction and death. The only path to life is found in wholehearted obedience to God’s gracious statutes.
The history of Israel provides a clear object lesson to believers today. When we rebel against God and go our own way, we will inevitably start following “rules by which they could not have life.” As the Psalmist declares, “Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments” (Psalm 119:5-6). May we learn from Israel’s mistakes and cling tightly to God’s life-giving Word!
Other Passages About God Giving People Over
While unusual, Ezekiel 20:25 is not the only place in Scripture where God gives people over to the consequences of their sin:
- Psalm 81:11-12 – God gives Israel over to their stubborn hearts.
- Isaiah 66:3-4 – God gives unrepentant Israel over to their sin.
- Romans 1:24-28 – God gives idolatrous people over to impurity and degrading passions.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – God sends a strong delusion to those who refuse to love the truth.
These passages reveal how God sometimes expresses his wrath by withdrawing his grace and protections, allowing people to experience the fruit of their sins. This should motivate us to cling tightly to the Lord, lest we abandon His life-giving commands and experience the horrible consequences.
Conclusion
Ezekiel 20:25 is a sober warning that rejecting God’s good laws only leads to misery. In its context, it highlights Israel’s long history of rebellion and idolatry, and how God finally abandoned them to their sin as judgment. The difficult “statutes that were not good” likely refer to Israel embracing the pagan practices of other nations as they rejected God’s commands. This passage reinforces the importance of obeying God’s gracious laws, through which we experience the blessings of life. May we learn from Israel’s tragic example, cling to the Lord, and delight in His life-giving statutes.