Ezequiel 36
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Ezequiel 36
Wiersbe writes that...One of the purposes of the millennial kingdom is that God might fulfill His promises to His people, promises He couldn’t fulfill because of their rebellion and unbelief. In His grace and mercy, God gave Israel a wonderful land, a perfect law, and a glorious Lord. They defiled (His) land by their terrible crimes; they disobeyed (His) Law by adopting pagan practices; and they defied their Lord and tempted Him by resisting His calls to repentance (ED: See "until there was no remedy" - 2Ch 36:15-16+). But during the millennial kingdom, Israel will trust the Lord, obey His Word, worship in His temple as they should, and bring delight to the Lord who will rule from David’s throne (ED: THEY WILL DO THIS BECAUSE ALL THE JEWS WHO ENTER INTO THE MILLENNIUM WILL BE SAVED - Zech 13:8-9+). But there’s a further fulfillment, for the Kingdom Age will “wrap up” all the previous ages in God’s revelation of Himself and His purposes. The land will be like the Garden of Eden (Ezek 36:35), complete with a river of life (ED: compare Zech 14:8+) and trees of life. The promises made to Abraham will be fulfilled and his descendants will possess and enjoy their land. The Law of Moses will be obeyed from the heart,(ED: BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE SPIRIT INDWELLING THEM - Ezek 36:27) and the Lord will be worshiped and glorified. The Messiah that Israel rejected at His first coming will be received and honored and will reign over them (Ezek 43:6-7 ED: SEE "reception" in Zech 12:10+). God will fulfill every kingdom promise found in the pages of the prophets! The mountains of Israel - This exact phrase occurs only in Ezekiel where it is found 16x in 15v - Ezek 6:2,3; 19:9; 33:28; 34:13, 14; 35:12; 36:1, 4, 8; 37:22; 38:8; 39:2, 4, 17. Excursus on The Mountains of Israel - As an aside, one might well ask why address the prophecy to the mountains? What was on the mountains of Israel? On most of the mountains at this time there were "high places" (bamah see Ezek 6:3, cp 1Ki 14:23 = "high places" a phrase that occurs 80x in OT What is the significance of high places in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org), altars to the pagan (so-called) gods, especially Baal (cp Jer 3:6-9, 2:20 Isa 57:7). Judah's idol worship was one of the main reasons God took them from the land and brought them into exile in Babylon (ironically, a land filled with idols). They had failed to obey God's clear instruction (and warning) to destroy the idols in the land of Canaan (Dt 7:5). If the "idol" is another person obviously you don't "destroy" them, but you must not let them take the highest place on the "throne of your heart." Your love for them must not be greater than your love for Jesus (Mt 10:37, Lk 14:26 where "hate" is relative - in other words our love for Jesus makes our love for others is like "hatred". One's devotion to family must take second place to one's devotion to Christ.). Idolatry is detestable to God and will surely bring His hand of discipline to those who fail to heed His command to rid themselves of their idols! THOUGHT - Beloved, do you have any idols, anything that comes between you and God, anything you love more than you love Jesus? If you do, you must (emphasize "must") destroy the idol or idols. As John Owen said "Kill sin, lest it be killing you!" (See Ro 8:13+, Col 3:5+). O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD - In Ezek 35:2 God has told his prophet to set his face against Mount Seir (Edom), but now God addresses the mountains of Israel. The mountains stand for the land. In other words as noted above, Jehovah is addressing the nation of Israel. Warren Wiersbe has a good word of application - God gave the land of Israel to the Jews as a part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:14-18; 15:7-21). That settled their ownership of the land, but their possession and enjoyment of the land depended on their faith and obedience (Lev. 26). The Christian life is similar. We enter God's family by trusting Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9), but we enjoy God's family by believing His promises and obeying His will (2 Cor. 6:18-7:1). Disobedient children have to be chastened (Heb. 12:5-11), and God often had to chasten the people of Israel because of their rebellion and disobedience. (See notes on ownership and possession/enjoyment - see pages 413, 1221, 1318) Ezekiel 36:2 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because the enemy has spoken against you, 'Aha!' and, 'The everlasting heights have become our possession': Because: Eze 36:5 25:3 26:2 even: De 32:13 Ps 78:69 Isa 58:14 Hab 3:19 ours: Eze 35:10 Jer 49:1 Because - This is a term of explanation. For the reason that. For the cause which is explained in the next proposition. For the reason next explained. The conjunction because introduces a series of 5 "therefores" in the next five verses. The basic "complaint" that the LORD has is with the enemies of Israel, for He knew their insults and their aggression toward Israel during the time of the Babylonian invasions and final defeat of Jerusalem. Israel's enemies would be punished for their "anti-Semitism." (cp this same principle in Ge 12:3) This is good principle for all God's children to keep in mind for as Paul wrote... Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19) Comment: And so in this first section of Ezekiel 36, God explains that He will avenge the injustices committed against Israel. The enemy has spoken against you - (See enmity against Israel in Ezek 35:5 and hatred in Ezek 35:11) In context enemy refers especially to the Edomites but also includes the rest of the nations (Ezek 36:5). The enemies had in essence "cursed" Israel which invoked God's immutable promise to Abraham... And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Ge 12:3+) Aha (Job 39:25; Ps 35:21, 25; 40:15; 70:3; Isa 44:16; Ezek 25:3; 26:2; 36:2) - An interjection or cry that imitates or expresses joy or satisfaction (Isa 44:16). In the present context aha is used in the sense of Israel's enemies gloating over Judah's defeat (Ezek 25:3, cp Ps 40:16). In Job 39:25 aha is used figuratively to expresses the satisfied neighing and anticipation of a warhorse anticipating a battle. The English word aha is used to express surprise, triumph, or derision. The everlasting (olam) heights (bamah = "the high places" sites of idol worship) have become our possession - Ezekiel is quoting what Judah's enemies were saying. They were boasting that the high places for the worship of false gods had become their possession, similar to their revilings in Ezekiel 35:12 where they said "‘They are laid desolate; they are given to us for food." Regarding the fact that the enemy considered Israel "our possession" contrast God's opinion about who the land really belongs to in Ezekiel 36:5! In Leviticus God said.. The land (the promised land), moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you (addressing Israel) are but aliens and sojourners with Me. (Lev 25:23, cp My land in Ezekiel 36:5) Ezekiel 36:3 Therefore prophesy and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "For good reason they have made you desolate and crushed you from every side, that you would become a possession of the rest of the nations and you have been taken up in the talk and the whispering of the people.": Because: Heb. Because for because, Eze 13:10 Lev 26:43 they have made: Jer 39:1-18 41:1-18 52:1-34 La 1:1-5:22 swallowed: Ps 35:25 61:1 Pr 1:12 Jer 51:34 La 2:2,5,16 and ye: De 28:37 1Ki 9:7,8 Ps 44:13,14 79:10 Jer 18:16 24:9 33:24 La 2:15 Da 9:16 taken up in the lips of talkers: or, made to come upon the lip of the tongue and are: Job 30:1-10 Ps 35:15,16 69:12 Mt 27:39-44 1Co 4:13 NET Bible - So prophesy and say: 'This is what the sovereign LORD says: Surely because they have made you desolate and crushed you from all directions, so that you have become the property of the rest of the nations, and have become the subject of gossip and slander among the people Therefore - This is a term of conclusion. This conjunction introduces the next 5 passages and 3 more times after that. (Ezek 36:3 Ezek 36:4 Ezek 36:5 Ezek 36:6 Ezek 36:7 Ezek 36:14 Ezek 36:18 Ezek 36:22) Wiersbe explains that "the Lord knew what the enemy was saying and doing, and He determined that there would be serious consequences because of their decisions. That’s why you find the word “therefore” six times in this section (Ezek 36:3-7, 14)." The ESV Study Bible explains the repetition of therefore this way...In Ezek 36:1-7 there are a series of nested “because” and “therefore” statements whose relationships are difficult to disentangle, as apparent outcomes simply introduce further grounds. Three factors are intertwined: the encroachment of Israel’s enemies, the desolation of the land, and the wrath of God. (Borrow - see page 1556) You have been taken up in the talk and the whispering of the people - This is addressed to the mountains of Israel as representative of the entire nation. "They talked publicly and privately about her fate." (Constable) Whispering (dibbah) means slander, a bad report with intent to defame. The picture is of whispering which spreads slander against someone (Ps 31:13, Jer 20:10). In the present context the whispering is strictly speaking not slander for the people are speaking truth about Israel but in a derogatory sense. God had clearly warned (it was actually a prophetic promise) this would happen to Israel when she refused to obey Him... You shall become a horror, a proverb, and a taunt among all the people where the Lord drives you. (Dt 28:37, cp Jer 24:9). Ezekiel 36:4 'Therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD. Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains and to the hills, to the ravines and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes and to the forsaken cities which have become a prey and a derision to the rest of the nations which are round about: mountains: Eze 36:1,6 De 11:11 rivers: or, bottoms, or dales desolate: Eze 36:33-35 6:14 2Ch 36:17-21 Isa 6:11 24:1-12 a prey: Eze 34:28 Ps 79:4 Isa 64:10,11 Jer 25:9-13 29:10 Therefore (term of conclusion) - Because of what Israel's enemies were saying and whispering about Judah's ignominious defeat. O mountains of Israel - Remember that God is using this phrase as a metaphor. Ezekiel is actually speaking to Israel in exile and defeat. By all human estimates, they were in a hopeless state and must have surely wondered whether God would avenge them and restore the nation of Israel. Prey (baz) means booty or spoil. It speaks of plunder which means the taking of good by force (as when the enemies of Israel plundered the land.) In other words, in the present context, the land of Israel had been plundered by Babylon, by Edom and by other surrounding nations. And what God is preparing to tell His exiled, dejected, despondent, defeated people in the following verses is in essence "What goes around, comes around." Baz = 27 verses in the OT (Note that almost 1/2 are in Ezekiel) - Num 14:3, 31; 31:32; Deut 1:39; 2 Kgs 21:14; 2Chr 28:14; Isa 8:1; 10:6; 33:23; 42:22; Jer 2:14; 15:13; Jer 17:3; 30:16; Jer 49:32; Ezek 7:21; 23:46; 25:7; 26:5; 29:19; 34:8, 22, 28; Ezek 36:4-5; 38:12-13 Derision (la'ag) describes mocking or scoffing at someone. Scoffing is a show of contempt by mocking words or deeds which are meant to stress one's disrespect for the party who scoffed. In English mockery describes insulting or contemptuous action or speech, making the mocked one the subject of laughter, derision or sport. La'ag - 7v in OT - Job 34:7; Ps 44:13; 79:4; 123:4; Ezek 23:32; 36:4; Hos 7:16 To the rest of the nations - The point is that Babylon's defeat of Israel was the cause for many other nations to scorn and mock God's people or to "kick 'em while they were down" to use a modern slang saying. The "rest of the nations" would be repaid by God for mocking Israel. Ezekiel 36:5 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Surely in the fire of My jealousy I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who appropriated My land for themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and with scorn of soul, to drive it out for a prey.": Surely: Eze 38:19 De 4:24 Isa 66:15,16 Zep 3:8 Zec 1:15 against the: Eze 36:3 Jer 25:9,15-29 Zep 2:8-10 against all: Eze 25:8-14 35:1-15 Ps 137:7 Isa 34:1-17 63:1-6 Jer 49:7-22 La 4:21 Am 1:11,12 Ob 1:1-9 Mal 1:2-4 appointed: Eze 35:10-12 Ps 83:4-12 Jer 49:1 with the: Eze 35:15 Pr 17:5 24:17,18 Ob 1:12 Mic 7:8 with despiteful: Eze 25:12,15 Am 1:11 Therefore - always pause to ponder this strategic term of conclusion. Ezekiel 34 helps us understand what makes God jealous... Watch (command) yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, (Why is obedience to this command so important?) lest it become a snare (Hebrew = lure or bait placed on a hunter's trap - Beloved, are their any snares you are aware of in your own life?) in your midst. But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down (Read the verbs again!) their Asherim for (term of explanation) you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD (Jehovah), Whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God-- lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they play the harlot with their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and someone invite you to eat of his sacrifice (See also Relationship of idolatry with Immorality) (Exodus 34:12-15) Comment: Keep the context of the preceding passages in mind -- Moses had delayed returning from the mountain and the people convinced Aaron to make a "god who (would" go before" them (Ex 32:1-14, see especially Ex 32:12 - what would that have to do with profaning God's name?) In the fire of My jealousy (Literally "in the fire of My zeal") - Moses warned Israel that God was a consuming fire... So watch (command) yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you (Referring to the Mosaic Covenant, Covenant of Law), and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the Lord your God has commanded you (Ex 20:3,4,5), for (term of explanation) Jehovah your God is a consuming (same verb translated devour in Ezek 36:14) fire, a jealous (zealous) God." (Dt 4:23, 24+) Comment: The adjective jealous (Hebrew = qanna' from the verb qana' = to be zealous) is only used to describe Jehovah as the God who is zealous to protect what belongs to Him. Thus the worship of false gods always arouses His jealousy and anger in judgment against the idol worshipers. He will not tolerate another to have the honor that is due to Him alone (cf. Is 42:8; 48:11). In the following verse God says His jealousy and wrath are because the land (symbolic of Israel) had suffered insults from the idolatrous nations. Jealousy (07068)(qinah or see here) means ardor, jealousy. The picture is that of intense fervor, passion, and emotion. Zeal is an eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something and implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause. The Lxx translated qinah with the word thumos which describes a tumultuous welling up of the whole spirit; a mighty emotion which seizes and moves the whole inner person. With men this can often be a sinful, flesh driven emotion, but with God it is of course a holy, fully justified response.
Ezequiel 36
Wiersbe observes that "God gave the land of Israel to the Jews as a part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Ge 12:1-3; 13:14-18; 15:7-21). That settled their ownership of the land, but their possession and enjoyment of the land depended on their faith and obedience (Lev. 26). The Christian life is similar. We enter God’s family by trusting Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9), but we enjoy God’s family by believing His promises and obeying His will (2 Cor. 6:18-7:1). Disobedient children have to be chastened (Hebrews 12:5-11), and God often had to chasten the people of Israel because of their rebellion and disobedience (Ed comment: Not all of Israel in the OT were God's true children in the sense that He was their Father [cp Jn 1:11, 12, 13]. Only a remnant of all of Israel were genuine believers in the Messiah.) (Borrow Be reverent) The land is the land of Palestine promised to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which is reiterated again and again in the OT (the following is but a sampling of passages in which the land is promised to Jacob or Israel).... Genesis 12:7 "And the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. Comment - This promise to Abraham was repeated in Ge 13:15. The verb "give" appears >1000x in the OT, with greatest frequency in relation to God's giving the land of Palestine to Israel, a truth here announced for the first time but repeated in approximately 150 OT passages from the days of the patriarchs to the return from the exile (Neh 9:35,36) and even incorporated in the Decalogue (Ex 20:12). Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates: Comment - "The boundaries of the Promised Land are now given for the first time. This promise has not yet been fulfilled but will be when Christ returns." (Ryrie) Genesis 17:8 (cp Ge 12:7) God promised Abraham "And I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." Ps 105:9 The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac. 10 Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant, 11 Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan As the portion of your inheritance," Ge 28:4 (Isaac passes the land blessing to Jacob) "May He also give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your descendants with you; that you may possess the land of your sojournings, which God gave to Abraham." Ge 28:13 (Jehovah speaking to Jacob) And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants. Ge 35:12 "And the land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you." Amos 9:14 "Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them, They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit. 15 "I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them," Says the LORD your God. Comment - Notice that this promise applies, not to the return from Babylon, but to the final restoration in the last days (Amos 9:13 = Messianic age, cp Jer 30:3), when they will never again "be pulled up out of their land." COVENANT ONENESS You will be My people, and I will be your God - When all Israel is saved (Ro 11:26) by grace through faith in their Messiah (cp Zech 12:10), they will enter into the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34+, Ezek 36:26-27) and into the new relationship of covenant with Jehovah - they are His and He is theirs. This is covenant language and speak of oneness and identity. Related study - The Oneness of Covenant I will be your God - This promise was first given in the Abrahamic Covenant in Ge 17:8 = "And I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." This promise is repeated in Jer 24:7 = "I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart." This promise was repeated in the promise of the New Covenant (Jer 31:31) = "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." (Jer 31:33+) And again in Jer 32:38+ = "And they shall be My people, and I will be their God" Again in Ezekiel 37:23, 27 = "And they will be My people, and I will be their God....."My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people." Again in Zech 8:8 = "And I will bring them back, and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem, and they will be My people and I will be their God in truth and righteousness." NET Note adds that "This was their highest privilege (cf. Ex 6:7, Lev 26:12; Jer 24:7) but also their greatest responsibility (cf. Jer 7:3; 11:4). It is a formula referring to a covenant relationship in which God pledges to protect, provide, and be present with His people and they in turn promise to be loyal and obedient to him (see Dt 26:17–18; 29:10–13)." Ezekiel 36:29 "Moreover, I will save you from all your uncleanness; and I will call for the grain and multiply it, and I will not bring a famine on you.: save: Eze 36:25 Jer 33:8 Ho 14:2,4,8 Joe 3:21 Mic 7:19 Zec 13:1 Mt 1:21 Joh 1:7-9 Ro 6:14 11:26 Tit 2:14 call : Eze 36:8,9 Eze 34:27-29 Ps 105:6 Hos 2:21-23 Mt 6:33 I will - Three I will's in one verse! Remember that I will is a key phrase in this chapter where it is found 21x in 15 verses. Ezek 36:9, 10, 1, 12, 15, 23-30, 33, 37. These prophesies will come to pass because of the faithfulness of the One who repeatedly declares "I will!" I will save you - Save is Hebrew yasha' meaning to deliver, to help, to defend. The main idea is bring one to a place of safety or broad pasture as opposed to a narrow strait (distress, danger). The Septuagint (Lxx) uses the great Greek verb sozo [word study] which means to rescue from peril, danger, loss or suffering, to heal, to make whole, to protect, to keep alive and to preserve physical and/or spiritual life. Saved (delivered) (03467)(yasha') (See also yeshua from which we get our word "Jesus") is a verb which means to help, to save, to deliver. The root in Arabic is "make wide" which underscores the main thought of yasha ' as to bring to a place of safety or broad pasture in contrast to a narrow strait which symbolizes distress or danger." Yasha' - Occurs 198x in the OT and 3x in Ezekiel - Ezek 34:22; 36:29; 37:23 TWOT adds that the concept of wide "connotes freedom from distress and the ability to pursue one’s own objectives. To move from distress to safety requires deliverance. Generally the deliverance must come from somewhere outside the party oppressed. In the OT the kinds of distress, both national and individual, include enemies, natural catastrophies, such as plague or famine, and sickness. The one who brings deliverance is known as the “savior.” (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press) From all your uncleanness - Note the adjective ALL! That means all! Israel will finally be the holy people God had originally called them to be. Now they will have the indwelling Spirit (having been "born again," having entered by faith in Messiah into the New Covenant in His blood) Who will enable them to keep the commandments and abstain from defilement and uncleanness! Uncleanness (02932)(tumah) It is translated by the Septuagint (Lxx) with the word akatharsia is a broad term referring to moral defilement or uncleanness in thought, word, and deed and often describes sexual sin (Ro 1:24-note). Strictly speaking akatharsia refers worthless material, waste, filth or refuse. Sin defiles and produces corruption and degradation of the soul of the sinner. A sinner is never a winner! Hosea gives a similar promise... Hosea 2:21-23 “It will come about in that day that I will respond,” declares the LORD. “I will respond to the heavens, and they will respond to the earth, 22 And the earth will respond to the grain, to the new wine and to the oil, And they will respond to Jezreel. 23 “I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, And I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they will say, ‘You are my God!’” Ezekiel 36:30 "I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field, so that you will not receive again the disgrace of famine among the nations.: disgrace of famine: De 29:23-28 Joe 2:17,26 So that - term of purpose or result - The result of the multiplication (~clear evidence of national prosperity and blessing) is that Israel will not be suffer need and be disgraced again among the nations (the Gentiles). You will not receive again the disgrace of famine among the nations - The nations thought their pagan gods bestowed fertility (e.g., Ba'al was the supreme male god among the Canaanites and Phoenicians, worshiped as a fertility god and also known as a storm god). Famine in Israel was a viewed as a disgrace to their God. Ezekiel 36:31 "Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations.: you will: Eze 6:9 16:61-63 20:43 Lev 26:39 Ezr 9:6-15 Ne 9:26-35 Jer 31:18-20 Da 9:4-20 loathe: Job 42:6 Isa 6:5 64:6 Zec 12:10-11 Lu 18:13 Ro 6:21 2 Co 7:10,11 ISRAEL'S SELF-LOATHING Then - a strategic expression of time - Always be alert to this "time sensitive" conjunction, especially in prophetic passages as it marks a clear succession of events. To what time does Ezekiel refer? In context this refers to the end times when all Israel (more accurately the remnant because only 1/3 of Jews will believe - cp Zech 13:8) will be saved (Ro 11:26-27-note). When Messiah returns they will remember their evil ways. Zechariah writes... “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. 11 “In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. (Zec 12:10-11) F F Bruce writes that "divine grace produces an awareness of past ingratitude." (Ibid). Beloved, is this not a principle that applies to our life. I sin presumptively. I come to my senses and confess and repent. God forgives me completely. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for His mercies and grace! Loathe themselves - Cooper notes that "This terminology was used in Ezek 6:9 to describe Israel’s repentance in exile. Here and in Ezekiel 20:43 (Ed: In context [Ezek 20:41, 42, 44] this will occur in the Age of the Messiah) it describes their feeling of revulsion after the return when they would recall their former life-style. " (Ibid) Ezekiel 36:32 "I am not doing this for your sake," declares the Lord GOD, "let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel!": I am not doing this for your sake,: Eze 36:22 De 9:5 Da 9:18,19 2Ti 1:9 Titus 3:3-6 be ashamed: Eze 16:63 Ezr 9:6 Ro 6:21 1Pe 4:2,3 Related Passages: Ezekiel 36:22-23 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. 23 “I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations (GENTILES) will know that I am the LORD,” declares the Lord GOD, (WHEN WILL THE GENTILES KNOW?) “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. Psalms 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. Romans 1:5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, Daniel 9:18; 19 “O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. 19 “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” I am not doing this for your sake - Israel did not earn or merit such beneficent treatment (as do none of us beloved!) It is all grace upon grace, amazing grace in and through Yeshua (cp Jn 1:14+, Jn 1:16+). Jehovah repeats His statement in Ezek 36:22 "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name." So the question is - Why is God doing all of this spiritual cleansing in the nation of Israel? Recall that Ezek 36:22-23 Jehovah said "It is not for your sake , O house of Israel , that I am about to act, but (critical contrast - in this context actually serving to explain what He is going to pour out grace on Israel in the future) for My holy Name." Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel!": Two commands calling for acknowledgment of their evil toward God which would be humbling. Be ashamed (command)(0954) (bosh) is from a root meaning “to become pale” or “to blush.” When failure or sin occurs, there is a disconcerting feeling, a flushing of the face. It conveys the idea of shame of utter defeat which pervades one's mood. (Ezra 9:6; Isa 1:29; 30:5; Jer 2:36; 9:19). Confounded (command) (kalam) means to be disgraced, humiliated or put to shame. Lxx uses entrepo which means literally to turn back or about and figuratively means to cause one to turn away because of shame (Keep in mind that the Middle East is a shame-honor culture) We all know this feeling! Ezekiel 36:33 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places will be rebuilt.: cause: Zec 8:7,8 waste: Eze 36:10 Isa 58:12 Jer 32:43 33:10 50:19,20 Am 9:14,15 Thus says the Lord GOD "On the day - This specific expression of time should prompt you to pause and interrogate with the 5W/H'S. Jeremiah gives us the answer... And I (God) will bring Israel back to his pasture and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan, and his desire will be satisfied in the hill country of Ephraim and Gilead. 'In those days and at that time,' declares the LORD, 'search will be made for the iniquity of Israel, but there will be none; and for the sins of Judah, but they will not be found; for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant. (Jeremiah 50:19-20) Comment: This time will be the day "all Israel is saved" (Ro 11:26-note). that I cleanse you from all your iniquities - I will cleanse (02891)(taher) commonly refers to ritual purity or cleanness in the OT. In fact except for Job 37:21 and Mal 3:3, taher almost exclusively of ritual or moral purity. To be clean, be pure, innocent, righteous. The Septuagint (Lxx) translates taher in this verse with the verb katharizo which describes cleansing from ritual contamination or impurity (Acts 10:15). Katharizo was used of cleansing lepers from ceremonial uncleanness (Mt 8:2-3, et al) Iniquities (guilt) (05771)('avon) which has an interesting basic meaning of to bend, twist or distort. In simple terms 'avon is a twisting of God's standard or deviation from it. The waste places will be rebuilt - This repeats the promise of Ezekiel 36:10. Amos repeats the promise... Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit. 15 "I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them," Says the LORD your God. (Amos 9:14-15+) Zechariah also reiterates God's promise ... Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; 8 and I will bring them back, and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem, and they will be My people and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.' (Zechariah 8:7,8) Ezekiel 36:34 "The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by.: Eze 6:14 De 29:23-28 2Ch 36:21 Jer 25:9-11 Related Passages: Ezekiel 6:14 “So throughout all their habitations I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land more desolate and waste than the wilderness toward Diblah; thus they will know that I am the LORD.”’” PROMISE OF FUTURE BLESSING OF LAND OF ISRAEL The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by.: - Ezekiel 6:14 explains why God made the land of Israel desolate. The Hebrew word for desolation stresses horror, consternation, astonishment caused by desolation of judgment. Desolation (08077) (shemamah) A feminine singular noun meaning desolation, waste. This noun can be used to refer to many things such as land, cities, or houses (Ex. 23:29; Lev. 26:33; Isa. 1:7). Most often it is used in conjunction with a passage describing what did happen to the land of Israel after God judged His people and sent them into exile. This shows the totality of the destruction that Israel endured. Nothing was to be saved from this destruction. Fields and vineyards were turned into wastelands and desolate fields after God's judgment (Jer. 12:10). God allowed such desolation as a punishment for the sins of His people because they refused to repent. This punishment could even fall on people of other nations, such as the Edomites (Ezek. 33:28, 29; 35:3). (Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament) 53 verses - Exod. 23:29; Lev. 26:33; Jos. 8:28; Isa. 1:7; Isa. 6:11; Isa. 17:9; Isa. 62:4; Isa. 64:10; Jer. 4:27; Jer. 6:8; Jer. 9:11; Jer. 10:22; Jer. 12:10; Jer. 12:11; Jer. 25:12; Jer. 32:43; Jer. 34:22; Jer. 44:6; Jer. 49:2; Jer. 49:33; Jer. 50:13; Jer. 51:26; Jer. 51:62; Ezek. 6:14; Ezek. 7:27; Ezek. 12:20; Ezek. 14:15; Ezek. 14:16; Ezek. 15:8; Ezek. 23:33; Ezek. 29:9; Ezek. 29:10; Ezek. 29:12; Ezek. 32:15; Ezek. 33:28; Ezek. 33:29; Ezek. 35:3; Ezek. 35:4; Ezek. 35:7; Ezek. 35:9; Ezek. 35:14; Ezek. 35:15; Ezek. 36:34; Joel 2:3; Joel 2:20; Joel 3:19; Mic. 1:7; Mic. 7:13; Zeph. 1:13; Zeph. 2:4; Zeph. 2:9; Zeph. 2:13; Mal. 1:3 Ezekiel 36:35 "They will say, 'This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.': they will say: Ps 58:11 64:9 126:2 Jer 33:9 like the: Eze 37:13 Ge 2:8,9 13:10 Isa 51:3 Joe 2:3 FUTURE ISRAEL LIKE A GARDEN OF EDEN They will say - Who is they? Probably the nations (aka the Gentiles) given the fact that the following passage (context) mentions nations. They see the "garden of Eden" like conditions in the land of Israel and they come to understand that this is something only Jehovah could accomplish. Like the garden of Eden - This is a wonderful description (see terms of comparison simile metaphor) of the utopian, idyllic conditions that will prevail in the coming age, during the one thousand year righteous reign of the Righteous One,Israel's Messiah, in His Messianic Kingdom. For a beautiful description of the Edenic-like conditions read Isaiah 35:1-10 (then read the commentary). Henry