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)
It's easy to read "the glory of all lands" as just a poetic description of Canaan's bounty. But here, it's more about God's choice – this land, which He personally scouted out and selected, was not just fertile, it was divinely designated as superior to all others. This highlights God's active role in providing not just a home, but the absolute best for His people.
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)
Ezekiel is recounting God's covenant faithfulness, reminding Israel of the dramatic Exodus from Egypt and the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. This memory is crucial because it contrasts with their present rebellion and idolatry, setting the stage for the rest of the chapter where God addresses their repeated unfaithfulness. The verse serves as a foundational promise God made, which the people subsequently failed to uphold through their actions.
God didn't just stumble upon Canaan; He chose it for Israel. What does that tell us about His intentional love?
God's promise to bring Israel out of Egypt wasn't a casual thought. He 'had searched out' a land specifically for them. This wasn't a default option but a deliberate, chosen place.
A Land Prepared
Think of it like God scouting out the ultimate vacation spot, knowing exactly what His people would need. He saw all the other lands, but He set His heart on Canaan. It was a land 'flowing with milk and honey'—a picture of abundance and provision, literally and figuratively.
The Best of the Best
This land was 'the most glorious of all lands.' This wasn't just about fertile soil; it was about God's special blessing and presence. It was the place He intended for them to thrive and worship Him. This shows us God’s deep desire for His people to experience the fullness of His provision and blessing.
God didn't just promise Israel a new home; He sealed it with a solemn oath. What does this tell us about His faithfulness, even when we falter?
The phrase 'I swore to them' is incredibly significant. In the ancient world, an oath was the highest form of binding commitment. When God swears, He is demonstrating the absolute certainty of His promise.
God's Vow
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This oath was a foundational act, establishing His covenant with Israel. It wasn't based on their merit, but on His sovereign choice and gracious purpose. He was pledging Himself to them.
A Foundation for Trust
Even though Ezekiel is writing to a people who have repeatedly broken their covenant, God reminds them of this original, unbreakable vow. It serves as a reminder of God's steadfast love and faithfulness, a benchmark against which Israel's unfaithfulness is starkly contrasted.
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 is reminding the exiles of God's foundational act of grace: the Exodus and His oath to bring them into a perfect land. This serves as a powerful reminder that despite their current suffering and rebellion, God's initial intention was always blessing, and His faithfulness remains.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Exodus from Egypt
God led the Israelites out of their oppressive bondage in Egypt, fulfilling His promises to Abraham and his descendants. This event marked the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
For forty years, the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness. During this time, God revealed His law and tested their faithfulness, preparing them for life in the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites entered and conquered the land of Canaan, which God had promised to them. This marked the fulfillment of God's oath to their ancestors.
c. 1050-931 BC
United Monarchy
The tribes of Israel were united under kings like Saul, David, and Solomon, establishing a powerful kingdom and Jerusalem as its spiritual and political center.
931 BC
Divided Kingdom
Following Solomon's reign, the kingdom split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division led to further spiritual and political decline.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Jerusalem and deported thousands of Judeans, including many of the elite and skilled workers, into exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, completing the Babylonian conquest and scattering the remaining Judeans, plunging them into despair.
This passage echoes the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey, emphasizing God's compassionate awareness of His people's suffering and His plan to deliver them into a good and spacious land.
Deuteronomy 11:10-12Here, the description of the promised land as one 'flowing with milk and honey' is directly linked to God's active care and provision for His people, highlighting that its richness was a gift from Him, unlike the land of Egypt.
Jeremiah 3:19This verse speaks of the 'most glorious of all lands' in the context of Israel's relationship with God, suggesting that the land's true glory was tied to their obedience and God's presence, not just its natural bounty.
Psalm 48:1-3This psalm describes Zion as 'the joy of all the earth' and 'the city of the great King,' connecting the land's glory to God's dwelling place and His majestic presence among His people.
Acts 7:51Stephen recounts how Israel's fathers repeatedly resisted the Holy Spirit, paralleling Ezekiel's message that even from the Exodus, the people demonstrated rebellion despite God's gracious promises and provision.
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 read "the glory of all lands" as just a poetic description of Canaan's bounty. But here, it's more about God's choice – this land, which He personally scouted out and selected, was not just fertile, it was divinely designated as superior to all others. This highlights God's active role in providing not just a home, but the absolute best for His people.
Ezekiel is recounting God's covenant faithfulness, reminding Israel of the dramatic Exodus from Egypt and the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. This memory is crucial because it contrasts with their present rebellion and idolatry, setting the stage for the rest of the chapter where God addresses their repeated unfaithfulness. The verse serves as a foundational promise God made, which the people subsequently failed to uphold through their actions.
Ezekiel is recounting God's covenant faithfulness, reminding Israel of the dramatic Exodus from Egypt and the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. This memory is crucial because it contrasts with their present rebellion and idolatry, setting the stage for the rest of the chapter where God addresses their repeated unfaithfulness. The verse serves as a foundational promise God made, which the people subsequently failed to uphold through their actions.
"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 read "the glory of all lands" as just a poetic description of Canaan's bounty. But here, it's more about God's choice – this land, which He personally scouted out and selected, was n…
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Last reviewed October 2026