Ezekiel 36 Commentary
The first section deals with the restoration of the mountains of Israel. The LORD promises to settle people on the mountains and prosper them – more than before.
Of course, the mountains have had a rough ride! The second section explains it. The people of Israel defiled the land with their ungodliness. So the LORD poured out His wrath on them.
But what exactly is happening here? Yes, there is the promise of restoration. Have the people of Israel ‘undefiled’ the land? Is there repentance? Is it a natural process that the shrubs have blossomed and the LORD can love the flowers again?
Ezekiel explains it clearly. When the name of the LORD is profaned, scattering happens. What name? Jealousy? Just? Probably yes. Yet and probably because of yet another name, probably Love or Compassion, the LORD gathers Israel back.
The saint does well to remember that their calling has nothing to do with a personal decision to clean up and live righteously. It is the work of the Spirit of the LORD. And we have the details of this process.
There is the cleansing of Israel from her impurities. Then the LORD gives her a new heart and a new spirit. “And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws…. This land that was laid waste has become like the Garden of Eden.”
The hope of chapter 36 is the hope of humanity. Can we get back to the blessing of Genesis 1 verse 28? Is Eden still a possibility? We need to look to Ezekiel’s future and find someone who spoke about being born again – someone who gave individuals a new lease of life. It is the work of the Spirit of the LORD Jesus Christ that individuals can still call upon the LORD and be saved even today.
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