Ezekiel 36:1-21
Q.1.? How will God treat those who have rejoiced over the demise of His people? What was Israel promised? – (Ezk.36:1-12)
Israel’s enemies had exulted and claimed that the everlasting mountains of Israel had become their possession (Ezk.36:1-2). Israel’s desolations were thoroughly deserved (Ezk.36:3-4). Nevertheless, the nations, including Edom had – … appropriated My land for themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and with scorn of soul, to drive it out for a prey (Ezk.36:5). God would retaliate for this arrogance – … Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and in My wrath because you have endured the insults of the nations … I have sworn that surely the nations around you will themselves endure their insults (Ezk.36:6-7). Rather unexpectedly, the Lord would bless Israel once – 8 But you, O mountains of Israel, you will put forth your branches and bear your fruit for My people Israel; for they will soon come. 9 For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you will be cultivated and sown. 10 I will multiply men on you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities will be inhabited and the waste places will be rebuilt. 11 I will multiply on you man and beast; and they will increase and be fruitful; and I will cause you to be inhabited as you were formerly and will treat you better than at the first. Thus, you will know that I am the Lord. 12 Yes, I will cause men—My people Israel—to walk on you and possess you, so that you will become their inheritance and never again bereave them of children’ (Ezk.36:8-12). This is pure grace.
Q.2.? Why had God dealt so severely against His own people? – (Ezk.36:13-21)
The mocking nations had failed to understand the real reason for Israel’s downfall. When their chastisement was completed, God would punish their enemies (Ezk.36:13-15). God had acted because of the degraded way in which His people had profaned His holy name – 18 Therefore I poured out My wrath on them for the blood which they had shed on the land, because they had defiled it with their idols. 19 Also I scattered them among the nations and they were dispersed throughout the lands. According to their ways and their deeds I judged them (Ezk.36:18-19). However, Ezekiel would bring an unexpected prophecy of the restoration of His people.