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"Nevertheless I withdrew My hand"

Text: Ezekiel 20:22

THE FAILURE OF THE NEXT GENERATION

Every opportunity was given to the second generation to do better. Sadly, the second generation did not do better at all.

“Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against Me;
they did not walk in My statutes,
and were not careful to observe My judgments,
‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them’;
but they profaned My Sabbaths.
Then I said I would pour out My fury on them
and fulfil My anger against them in the wilderness.
Nevertheless I withdrew My hand and acted for My name’s sake,
that it should not be profaned in the sight of the Gentiles,
in whose sight I had brought them out.
Also I raised My hand in an oath to those in the wilderness,
that I would scatter them among the Gentiles
and disperse them throughout the countries,
because they had not executed My judgments,
but had despised My statutes, profaned My Sabbaths,
and their eyes were fixed on their fathers’ idols.”
Ezekiel 20:21-24

1. Listing of problems of the second generation.

a) They rebelled against God.

b) They did not walk in His statutes.

c) They were careless in observing His judgments.

d) They profaned His Sabbaths.

2. God’s initial response.

a) That He would pour out His anger against them.

b) That He would fulfil His anger by punishing them as they deserve.

3. God withdrew His hand.

a) God withheld His threat to chastise severely.

b) He guarded His name that it might not be profaned among the Gentiles.

4. God’s word of warning.

a) He would scatter them.

b) His people would have to make a living in foreign lands.

c) They would be dispersed from their homeland.

5. Reasons for this line of action.

a) They had not executed His judgments.

b) They had despised His statutes.

c) They had profaned His Sabbaths.

d) Their eyes were fixed on the idols of their fathers.