And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
You warned them so you could bring them back to following your law. But they acted with pride and wouldn't listen to your commands. They sinned against your guidelines (which give life to anyone who follows them). They turned away stubbornly, became hardheaded, and refused to listen.
God repeatedly warned His people to return to His ways, but they proudly refused to listen and turned away from Him despite His life-giving laws.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from Ezra's long prayer of confession on behalf of the Jewish people who had returned from Babylonian exile. He was recounting their nation's history of disobedience despite God's repeated warnings through prophets and judges. The phrase about withdrawing the shoulder refers to an ox that refuses to bear its yoke, symbolizing rebellion against God's authority.
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