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Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 20 - Verse 14

20:14
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

Meaning

In this verse, God is expressing His motivation for saving the Israelites and bringing them out of Egypt. By stating that He acted "for my name's sake," God is emphasizing His desire to maintain His reputation and honor among the nations. He wanted to demonstrate His power and faithfulness to the surrounding heathen nations, showing them that He is a God who delivers His people. If the Israelites were to rebel and live in disobedience, God's name would be "polluted" or dishonored before the eyes of the heathen. Therefore, God's actions were not just for the benefit of the Israelites, but also for the glory of His own name. This verse serves as a reminder that God's actions are ultimately motivated by His commitment to His own character and reputation as a faithful and powerful God.

Theological Overview

In this verse, the phrase "I wrought for my name's sake" emphasizes God's actions being motivated by His own glory and honor. God's concern for His name not being polluted before the heathen reveals His desire for all people, including those who do not know Him, to see His power, faithfulness, and righteousness through His dealings with His people. The term "polluted" in this context carries the idea of God's reputation being tarnished or defiled by the actions and attitudes of His chosen people. By ensuring that His name remains untarnished, God demonstrates His commitment to upholding His character and reputation in the eyes of all nations, conveying that He is a God worthy of worship and obedience. The mention of bringing the Israelites out before the heathen highlights God's desire to display His sovereignty and faithfulness to all people, inviting them to know and recognize Him as the one true God. Overall, this verse underscores the importance of God's name and reputation, portraying Him as a God who acts for the sake of His glory and the honor of His name among all nations.

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