Ezekiel 20:35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I will lead you into the desolate places of the nations and confront you directly there. Just as I judged your ancestors in the wilderness of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Lord. I will place you under my authority and bind you to the covenant. I will separate those among you who are transgressors and evildoers: while I will remove them from their land of exile, they will not enter into the land of Israel, and you will know that I am the Lord. What I will do for you who dwell in Babylon and serve idols mirrors what I did for your forefathers in Egypt—I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations and judge you face to face, just as I judged them upon their exodus from Egypt.

I will lead you into the wilderness among the people and there I will confront you directly. Just as I judged your ancestors in the desert of Egypt, so will I also judge you, declares the Lord Adonai. He refers to the wilderness of men as the wilderness of the nations, which lacked divine insight previously. This indicates that when righteousness is revealed to the Gentiles, the Jews will feel shame over the transformation in the once wicked nations and will turn away from idol worship. The phrase "I will judge with you face to face" implies correction through the very actions themselves. In that time, the deeds will testify against you, rebuking your rebellious and sinful heart, in contrast to the faithfulness of the nations that were once devoid of piety. Thus, just as I led your forebears to complete destruction following their judgment in the wilderness, so will I bring punishment upon you. He further clarifies this with the following words: