Ezekiel 20:11

11 I gave them my laws and made my rules known to them. If people obey them they will live.

Ezekiel 20:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 20:11

And I gave them my statutes
The precepts of his law, the law on Mount Sinai, of which there were not the like among other nations; nor were they given unto them, but were a special gift unto Israel, and greatly to be valued, ( Deuteronomy 4:8 ) ( Psalms 147:19 Psalms 147:20 ) ( 19:8-10 ) ; and showed them judgments:
the nature, use, and excellency of the the necessity and advantage of observing them: the same as before, called "statutes", because appointed, fixed, and certain, being of inviolable and lasting obligation; and "judgments", being according to strict justice and equity: these, though they were originally written on man's heart, yet so obliterated by sin that there was need not only of their being afresh written and published, but of their being taught and made known; or of pointing out the use of them, and obligation to them: which [if] a man do, he shall live in them;
or "by them" F7; in the land of Canaan, enjoying all the blessings of a long and happy life: reference seems to be had to ( Leviticus 18:5 ) . The Targum adds,

``in eternal life;''
but eternal life is not to be obtained by the works of the law, since no man can perfectly obey or fulfil it, but is the pure gift of the grace of God.
FOOTNOTES:

F7 (Mhb) "per ea", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus, Piscator; "propter ea", Pagninus.

Ezekiel 20:11 In-Context

9 But I acted so that my name would not be dishonored among the nations where they were living. While other nations were watching, I made myself known to them by bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.
10 "'So I brought the Israelites out of Egypt and led them into the desert.
11 I gave them my laws and made my rules known to them. If people obey them they will live.
12 I also gave them certain days to worship me as a sign between us so that they would know that I, the LORD, made them holy.
13 "'But the people of Israel rebelled against me in the desert. They didn't live by my laws, and they rejected my rules. If people obey them, they will live. They dishonored the days to worship me. So I was going to pour out my fury on them in the desert and completely wipe them out.
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