Ezekiel 20:38 — English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)
And the others—the rebels and all those who sin against me—I will purge from among you. They shall not enter Israel, but I will bring them out of the countries where they are in exile. And when that happens, you will know I am the Lord.
What Does This Mean?
This verse says that God will remove the rebels and those who disobey him from among the people. These rebels will not enter the land of Israel. God says this to show his authority and that he is the Lord.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a group of friends, and some of them don't follow the rules of your game. God is like the leader of a big game, and he says he will take away those who don't follow the rules and won't let them play in the special playground called Israel.
Historical Background
Ezekiel wrote this around 593-571 BCE, when the Israelites were in exile in Babylon. God was speaking to Ezekiel, who then conveyed this message to the people of Israel, emphasizing their need for obedience and purification.
Living It Out Today
In a modern scenario, this can be seen as a reminder for a community or organization to remove those who consistently disrupt the harmony and refuse to follow the guidelines, ensuring the group's integrity and purpose.
