Ezekiel 20:32

As the heathen. On the desire to be “like all the nations” that are round about see 1 Sam. 8:5, 20. The prophet here reads the secret aspirations of his inquirers and flatly contradicts their sordid ambitions. Possibly they flattered themselves that if they could be released from their spiritual responsibility as Jehovah’s chosen people they would escape the severe punishments that the prophets had threatened. They may have believed that if they simply accepted the state of the heathen, together with correspondingly smaller responsibilities, Jehovah would leave them alone. But as it was, they felt that they were being continually disturbed with judgments on account of their unwillingness to accomplish their divine mission. The answer comes that this will not be at all, for Israel stands in a very different relationship to God from that of the heathen. Men are dealt with according to the light and privileges they have had. God does not easily withdraw these privileges nor lightly abandon those for whom He has planned a high destiny. What He purposes and executes is for the good of those concerned, as they themselves will ultimately be led to admit. God continues to work with any who submit, and accomplishes His designs, though it be but with a remnant. This is the theme of the prophecy that follows.