I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
He continues the same sentiment, namely, that the people’s worship would be acceptable, when those who had formerly been deceived by their superstitions had bidden them farewell, and follow the law only. He uses the word “savor,” according to the customary legal form, not because incense was pleasing to God, but because external ceremonies were no vain discipline for the people when they retained the truth.
They imagine they can befriend both Jerusalem and Babylon by halting between two opinions, but God will cast them from His protection entirely. The power that once guarded them shall now destroy them with a stretched-out arm and fury poured out; there is no shaking off His dominion.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 20:33-44
And ye shall know that I am the Lord,.... The one only Jehovah, that keeps covenant; performs promises; is faithful to his word; is kind, gracious, and merciful, as well as mighty and powerful; and all this they shall experimentally know, and publicly own and acknowledge: when I shall bring you into the land of Israel; which will be the Lord's doing; his hand and...