Analysis of Ezekiel Chapter 36
In Ezekiel Chapter 36, the prophet delivers a message from God concerning the restoration of Israel. This chapter is a pivotal part of the Book of Ezekiel, as it transitions from the themes of judgment found in the earlier chapters to themes of hope and restoration. God’s promise to restore Israel is not only physical, with a promise of returning them to their land, but also spiritual, with a promise of a new heart and spirit.
Verses 1-7: Prophecy Against the Mountains of Israel
The opening verses of this chapter are directed toward the mountains of Israel. In ancient times, mountains often represented the strength and stability of a nation, and they were also places where high places and altars to various gods were erected.
- “Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD.
- This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The enemy said of you, “Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession.”’
- Therefore prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because they ravaged and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people’s malicious talk and slander,”
- Therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign LORD: This is what the Sovereign LORD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and the deserted towns that have been plundered and ridiculed by the rest of the nations around you—
- This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made my land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland.”
- Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I speak in my jealous wrath because you have suffered the scorn of the nations.”
- Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I swear with uplifted hand that the nations around you will also suffer scorn.
In these verses, the mountains are personified and addressed directly. God acknowledges the scorn and derision that the land has suffered at the hands of other nations. These nations took pleasure in Israel’s desolation and sought to take possession of their land. This taunting and exploitation provoke God’s jealous wrath. It is noteworthy that God speaks of a “jealous wrath,” which underscores His passionate commitment to His people and His land.
The emphasis on God’s burning zeal and jealous wrath indicates the intensity of His love and concern for Israel. This zeal is not a capricious anger but rather a righteous indignation against the injustices inflicted upon His people and His land. It’s a testament to God’s faithfulness and His unwillingness to let His covenant people be obliterated.
Verses 8-15: Promise of Restoration to the Mountains of Israel
Following God’s anger toward the nations, the tone shifts to one of promise and hope:
- But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home.
- I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown,
- and I will cause many people to live on you—yes, all of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.
- I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
- I will cause people, my people Israel, to live on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance; you will never again deprive them of their children.
- “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because some say to you, ‘You devour people and deprive your nation of children,’
- therefore you will no longer devour people or make your nation childless, declares the Sovereign LORD.
- No longer will I make you hear the taunts of the nations, and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples or cause your nation to fall, declares the Sovereign LORD.’”
In these verses, God promises restoration and fruitfulness to the mountains of Israel. The imagery of mountains producing branches and fruit symbolizes not only agricultural prosperity but also the renewal of life and abundance. This blessing is directly tied to the return of the Israelites to their land. God reassures the mountains that they will no longer be places of desolation and ruin but will be inhabited and cultivated again.
The restoration is comprehensive, encompassing population growth, rebuilding of towns, and increased prosperity. Verse 11, in particular, emphasizes that this restoration will result in a deeper knowledge of God: “Then you will know that I am the LORD.” This knowledge of God is not merely intellectual but deeply experiential, rooted in witnessing His deeds of mercy and restoration.
Moreover, God addresses the accusations that the land “devours people and deprives your nation of children.” This is likely a reference to the suffering and deaths that occurred, making the land appear cursed. God promises to reverse this stigma and ensure that the land will no longer cause harm to its inhabitants. This restoration will silence the taunts of the nations and vindicate God’s name and His people’s reputation.
Verses 16-21: The Reason for Israel’s Exile
God provides the rationale behind Israel’s previous suffering and exile:
- Again the word of the LORD came to me:
- “Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by their conduct and their actions. Their conduct was like a woman’s monthly uncleanness in my sight.
- So I poured out my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols.
- I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions.
- And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the LORD’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’
- I had concern for my holy name, which the people of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone.
These verses provide a sobering reflection on the reasons for Israel’s exile. The root of their suffering lies in their conduct and actions, described as defiling the land. The comparison to a woman’s monthly uncleanness indicates a state of ritual impurity that necessitated separation. The shedding of blood and idolatry are highlighted as specific sins that prompted God’s wrath.
The scattering of the Israelites among the nations was a direct result of their defilement of the land. Yet, this dispersion had another consequence: it led to the profaning of God’s holy name. When the nations saw Israel in exile, they scornfully noted that these were supposed to be God’s people, yet they were displaced. This brought dishonor to God because it appeared as though He had failed to protect His people or was not powerful enough to keep them in their land.
God’s concern for His holy name is a crucial theme here. The exile was not just a punishment for Israel but also a teaching moment for all nations regarding the holiness and justice of God. God’s reputation among the nations is something He cares deeply about, and the restoration of Israel serves the purpose of sanctifying His name among the peoples.
Verses 22-32: The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit
God emphasizes that the restoration is meant to bring glory to His name, not just to benefit Israel:
- “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.
- I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
- For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.
- I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.
- I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
- And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
- Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
- I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you.
- I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.
- Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.
- I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!
God makes it clear that the restoration is primarily for the sake of His holy name. The nations will recognize God’s holiness and power through the restoration of Israel. This is a powerful demonstration of divine sovereignty and grace. God’s actions are driven by His own character and the desire to sanctify His name among the nations.
In these verses, we also see a spiritual transformation promised to Israel. God will cleanse them with “clean water,” symbolizing purification from their impurities and idols. This act of cleansing is a precursor to the giving of a new heart and spirit. The heart of stone, which signifies stubbornness and unresponsiveness to God’s will, will be replaced with a heart of flesh, indicating a responsive and obedient heart. Moreover, God will place His Spirit within them to enable them to follow His decrees and laws.
This spiritual renewal is comprehensive and transformative. It goes beyond mere external observance of the law to an internal transformation that aligns the people’s will with God’s will. Verses 26 and 27 are especially significant as they prefigure the New Covenant, which is later fully realized with the coming of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on believers. Under this New Covenant, God’s Spirit indwells believers, enabling them to live according to God’s will.
God’s provision will also ensure physical prosperity and protection from famine, thus removing the disgrace among the nations. This holistic restoration—spiritual, physical, and communal—underscores God’s comprehensive plan for redemption and renewal. However, Israel is also called to remember their past ways and be ashamed of their sinfulness, which is part of their repentance and return to God.
Verses 33-38: Future Prosperity and Rebuilding
The chapter concludes with a reiteration of God’s promise to rebuild and restore Israel:
- “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt.
- The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it.
- They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.”
- Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the LORD have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.’
- This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Once again I will yield to Israel’s plea and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep,
- as numerous as the flocks for offerings at Jerusalem during her appointed festivals. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”
In these closing verses, the imagery of a restored Garden of Eden emphasizes not only physical restoration but also a renewal of divine blessing and harmony. The transformation of desolation into a flourishing garden serves as a powerful testament to God’s redemptive power. The onlookers, the nations who pass by, will witness this transformation and recognize the hand of the LORD in the rebuilding and replanting of Israel.
God’s determination and assurances are reiterated: “I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.” This affirmation emphasizes the certainty and faithfulness of God’s promises. The people’s multiplication and prosperity are compared to the flocks of sheep during Jerusalem’s festivals, symbolizing abundance, joy, and divine favor.
In conclusion, Ezekiel Chapter 36 presents a profound message of restoration and hope, rooted in God’s covenantal faithfulness. It addresses past transgressions and the consequent exile, but it also looks forward to a holistic renewal of both land and people. This chapter not only promises a return to physical and agricultural prosperity but more importantly, it forecasts a stunning spiritual renewal through a new heart and spirit bestowed by God. This transformation is aimed at glorifying God’s holy name among the nations, demonstrating His sovereignty, holiness, and unparalleled grace.