Study Desk

But the people of Israel still say, ‘What the Lord does isn't fair.' People of Israel, I am fair. It is what you do that is not fair.

Say to them: ‘This is what the Lord God says: When I chose Israel, I made a promise to the descendants of Jacob. I made myself known to them in Egypt, and I promised them, "I am the Lord your God."

I said to them, "Each one of you must throw away the hateful idols you have seen and liked. Don't make yourselves unclean with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

I also gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between us so they would know that I am the Lord who made them holy.

I am the Lord your God. Live by my rules, obey my laws, and follow them.

Keep my Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between me and you. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God."

I let the Israelites make themselves unclean by the gifts they brought to their gods when they sacrificed their first children in the fire. I wanted to terrify them so they would know that I am the Lord .'

I will get rid of those who refuse to obey me and who turn against me. I will bring them out of the land where they are now living, but they will never enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord .

I will accept you like the pleasing smell of sacrifices when I bring you out from the foreign nations and gather you from the lands where you are scattered. Then through you I will show how holy I am so the nations will see.

When I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I promised your ancestors, you will know that I am the Lord .

I will deal with you for the sake of my name, not because of your evil ways or unclean actions. Then you will know I am the Lord , people of Israel, says the Lord God .'"

Say to that forest: ‘Hear the word of the Lord . This is what the Lord God says: I am ready to start a fire in you that will destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. The flames that burn will not be put out. Every face from south to north will feel their heat.

Say to Israel: ‘This is what the Lord says: I am against you. I will pull my sword out of its holder, and I will cut off from you both the wicked and those who do right.

Because I am going to cut off the wicked and those who do right, my sword will come out from its holder and attack all people from south to north.

But you, yourself, will be dishonored in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am the Lord .'"

So this is what the Lord God says: ‘Because you have become useless like scum, I am going to put you together inside Jerusalem.

Israel's priests do cruel things to my teachings and do not honor my holy things. They make no difference between holy and unholy things, and they teach there is no difference between clean and unclean things. They do not remember my Sabbaths, so I am dishonored by them.

"This is what the Lord God says: You became tired of your lovers, but I am going to hand you over to those men you now hate.

You will be punished for your sexual sins and the sin of worshiping idols. Then you will know that I am the Lord God ."

"Human, I am going to take your wife from you, the woman you look at with love. She will die suddenly, but you must not be sad or cry loudly for her or shed any tears.