Israel's Idolatry.

6. Israel's Idolatry.

"Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (7) But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt : then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt." - Ezekiel 20:7-8

It would be preposterous to say that God directed their minds so they would not put away their idols after He had already commanded them to do so.  One would have to conclude this, if God elected them and imposed His will over their free will.  We know it was God's will, even before creation, that all the Christians "should be without blame and Holy before Him in love" (Ephesians 1:4).  Ezekiel 20:7-8 reveals God's will--as God commanded them to put away their idols.  They could have only rebelled against the Lord if they possessed a free will, which they did.