Ezekiel 20:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What I aimed to accomplish for the sake of righteousness, I refrained from executing out of immense compassion, so that My name would not be dishonored and it wouldn’t be seen that I was unable to fulfill My promises to Israel. Thus, I protected My name, preventing those nations, among whom I was revealed in Egypt, from having the opportunity to speak ill of Me. The prophet then recounts the cherished promises made to them during their time in Egypt, their immediate provocation of My anger, and the thoughts God held against them that He ultimately chose not to enact. The subsequent words were spoken following their departure from Egypt.

God intended, He declares, to discipline the unfaithful without delay; however, due to their identification as My people, I chose not to correct them in the sight of those who angered Me. I did this to avoid My name being dishonored among the nations with whom they dwelt, so that the chastisement of the Israelites would not serve as an excuse for the Gentiles to speak ill of Me. By extending kindness to some, I aimed to transform the perspectives of others as well. The Book of Exodus clarifies this point further, as the revered Moses recounts how the entire nation held him accountable for the divine messages he delivered to Pharaoh (Ex. 5:21, 6:9). Therefore, says God, in His great patience, He has led My people out of Egypt.