“‘As I entered
Into judgment
With your ancestors
In the wilderness
Of the land of Egypt,
So I will enter
Into judgment
With you.’
Says Yahweh God.
‘I will make you pass
Under the staff.
I will bring you
Within the bond
Of the covenant.
I will purge out
The rebels
Among you.
I will purge out
Those who transgress
Against me.
I will bring them out
Of the land
Where they reside,
As aliens.
But they shall not
Enter
The land of Israel.
Then you will know
That I am Yahweh.”
Yahweh, via Ezekiel, said that he had judged their ancestors in the Egyptian wilderness. Now, he was going to judge them. They would have to pass under the staff of the shepherd who counted sheep. He was going to bring them under the covenant again. He was going to purge out the rebels among them, anyone who had transgressed against him. He was going to go to all the countries where they had lived as aliens. Although he was going to take them out of these countries, they were not guaranteed a place in Israel. They had to know that he was Yahweh.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 