Ezekiel 20:6
On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to focus on the "flowing with milk and honey," but the real power here is that God "had searched out" this land for them. This isn't just a nice description; it reveals God's intimate knowledge and intentional design, presenting the land not just as abundant, but as specifically chosen and prepared by Him. This makes Canaan the "glory of all lands" because it was divinely selected.
Ezekiel is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, even as he's about to detail their repeated rebellions. In this passage, God is reminding the people of the solemn promise He made on the day He chose them and brought them out of Egypt, pledging to lead them to a rich and beautiful land. This promise, described as a land flowing with milk and honey and the most glorious of all lands, was the foundation of their covenant relationship with God.
Have you ever felt like God personally picked you out for something special? Ezekiel's prophecy reminds us that God's promises aren't random – they are deeply intentional.
God declared to Israel, 'I had searched out for them a land.' This wasn't a land that just happened to be available; God actively sought it out for His people. He didn't choose the land, and then the people; He chose the people and then deliberately selected and prepared a land specifically for them. This highlights God's personal investment and foresight in His covenant relationship. He has plans, and He meticulously prepares the way for them.
Imagine a land so good it's described with vivid imagery of plenty and beauty. What does this 'land flowing with milk and honey' truly represent?
The phrase 'flowing with milk and honey' is more than just a literal description of a fertile land. It's a powerful metaphor for abundance, provision, and the sweetness of life. It signifies a place where basic needs are easily met, allowing for comfort, prosperity, and a life free from harsh struggle. Furthermore, this land is called 'the most glorious of all lands.' This points not only to its natural beauty and fruitfulness but also to its divine designation as the place where God would dwell with His people, making it uniquely sacred and desirable.
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Understand the original words
nasa' yadi · Hebrew Verb Phrase
An oath or solemn promise, often made by God, confirming His commitment to fulfill His purposes or covenants. It implies binding oneself to an action or a vow.
erets zavat chalav udevash · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Used symbolically to describe a land of great abundance, fertility, and prosperity, promised as a place of rest and provision for God's people.
Ezekiel's reminder of God's foundational promise to bring Israel out of Egypt into a glorious land powerfully contrasts with the exiles' current despair. It underscores that God's faithfulness to His people, even amidst judgment, is rooted in His ancient, gracious covenant.
~1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, fulfilling His promise to Abraham and His ancestors. This event marked the beginning of their journey toward the Promised Land.
~1446-1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
After the Exodus, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. During this time, God continued to provide for them and refine them.
~1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites entered and conquered the Promised Land, a fertile region described as 'flowing with milk and honey.' This was the fulfillment of God's long-standing promise.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's reign, the united kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division marked a period of increasing spiritual decline.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and exiled much of the population. This judgment was a consequence of generations of rebellion against God's covenant.
c. 593 BC
Ezekiel's Prophetic Ministry Begins
Ezekiel, an exiled priest, began his ministry among the exiles in Babylon, delivering messages of judgment and future restoration from God. This verse is spoken during this period of exile.
This passage describes God's intimate knowledge of His people's suffering in Egypt and His provision of a good land, mirroring the promise in Ezekiel.
Deuteronomy 8:7-10It echoes Ezekiel's description of the Promised Land, emphasizing its abundant resources and God's role in providing it, highlighting the fulfillment of the promise.
Jeremiah 3:19This verse speaks of the land of Israel as the 'most glorious inheritance of the host of nations,' directly aligning with Ezekiel's description of the land as the 'glory of all lands'.
Psalm 106:24-27This Psalm recounts Israel's rebellion in the wilderness after God brought them out of Egypt, showing a historical pattern of rejecting God's goodness that Ezekiel was addressing.
Hebrews 3:7-19This New Testament passage directly references the Israelites' experience in the wilderness after the Exodus, warning against unbelief and disobedience, and connecting it to the need for entering God's rest.
ellicottEzekiel 20:6: "In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:"
(6) The glory of all lands. —So Palestine is constantly spoken of, both in the promise and in its fulfilment. (Comp. Daniel 11:16 .) However strange this may seem to us now in regard to parts of the land, after centuries of desolation, misrule, and oppression, it is plain from Joshua 23:14…
cambridgeEzekiel 20:6: "In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:"
6 . the day that I lifted ] On that day I lifted … 7 and I said unto them. On “milk and honey” cf. Exodus 3:8 ; and on the idea of Canaan as the “glory” of all lands, a frequent judgment in late writings, cf. Jeremiah 3:19 ; Daniel 8:9 ; Psalm 48:2 .
It's easy to focus on the "flowing with milk and honey," but the real power here is that God "had searched out" this land for them. This isn't just a nice description; it reveals God's intimate knowledge and intentional design, presenting the land not just as abundant, but as specifically chosen and prepared by Him. This makes Canaan the "glory of all lands" because it was divinely selected.
Ezekiel is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, even as he's about to detail their repeated rebellions. In this passage, God is reminding the people of the solemn promise He made on the day He chose them and brought them out of Egypt, pledging to lead them to a rich and beautiful land. This promise, described as a land flowing with milk and honey and the most glorious of all lands, was the foundation of their covenant relationship with God.
Ezekiel is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, even as he's about to detail their repeated rebellions. In this passage, God is reminding the people of the solemn promise He made on the day He chose them and brought them out of Egypt, pledging to lead them to a rich and beautiful land. This promise, described as a land flowing with milk and honey and the most glorious of all lands, was the foundation of their covenant relationship with God.
"On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands." — It's easy to focus on the "flowing with milk and honey," but the real power here is that God "had searched out" this land for them. This isn't just a nice description; it reveals God's intimate knowl…
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