Eze 20:26 | NETfull | STEP | I declared them to be defiled because of their sacrifices – they caused all their first born to pass through the fire – so that I would devastate them, so that they will know that I am the Lord .’

Ezekiel 20:26

26 I declared them to be defiled because of their sacrifices ^{▼▼ Or “gifts.”} – they caused all their first born to pass through the fire ^{▼▼ This act is prohibited in Deut 12:29–31 and Jer 7:31; 19:5; 32:35. See also 2 Kgs 21:6; 23:10. This custom indicates that the laws the Israelites were following were the disastrous laws of pagan nations (see Ezek 16:20–21).} – so that I would devastate them, so that they will know that I am the Lord.’ ^{▼▼ God sometimes punishes sin by inciting the sinner to sin even more, as the biblical examples of divine hardening and deceit make clear. See Robert B. Chisholm, Jr., “Divine Hardening in the Old Testament,” BSac 153 (1996): 410-34; idem, “Does God Deceive?” BSac 155 (1998): 11-28. For other instances where the Lord causes individuals to act unwisely or even sinfully as punishment for sin, see 1 Sam 2:25; 2 Sam 17:14; 1 Kgs 12:15; 2 Chr 25:20.}