In Today's Email:
Ezekiel 35 Notes
In this chapter is a prophecy against Edom.
vs. 1-13 – Edom is identified by their capital in Mount Seir. These descendants of Esau and their long-running hatred of Israel would be severely judged. They fell to the Babylonians in 582 B.C.
vs. 14-15 – There would be no restoration or hope for Edom. They would not reclaim their homeland after Babylon’s victory over them. They slowly fade from history.
Ezekiel 36 Notes
In this chapter is the beginning of prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel.
vs. 1-15 – Back in Ezekiel 6 there was judgment pronounced on the mountains of Israel because of their idolatry. Now we see the deliverance and restoration of the same mountains. This restoration goes beyond the return from the Babylonian Captivity. Israel’s enemies will be judged, and they will be established in the Promised Land.
vs. 16-23 – God reiterates the restoration and glorification of Israel is not something they earned. God did it for His glory, not theirs.
vs. 24-38 – Note the many instances of “I will” or “will I” in these verses. He will deliver Israel. He will restore them. He will cleanse them. These wonderful promises of God toward Israel make this one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture.
Ezekiel 37 Notes
In this chapter is the vision of the valley of dry bones.
vs. 1-10 – The vision of the valley of dry bones. Those bones had no life in them until God regathered them. There was no life until the Spirit filled them. All this is accomplished by the word of the Lord as pronounced by the prophet.
vs. 11-14 – The meaning of the vision is given. It is a picture of the restoration of Israel. They would be brought back, even from utter destruction. They would live again. They would be strong again. They would be physically and spiritually renewed. When does this occur? It is an End Times prophecy leading to their accepting the Messiah and the establishment of His Kingdom. We could be seeing it now in progress. Israel had no homeland for hundreds of years. Now they do. We know that prophecy says they will in the End Times. It is hard not to believe we might just be seeing this vision in action.
vs. 15-28 – The reunification of the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel is foreseen. These will be united under the rule of David’s heir, Christ the Messiah.
Closing Thoughts
One of the greatest proofs of God’s existence is the nation of Israel. Countless other nations have faded from history over the centuries. Go investigate the nations that surrounded Israel and their fates. The same can be said for most of the peoples we read of in Greek and Roman history. Not only do they still exist, but that is despite multiple efforts to wipe them off the face of the earth. There is no reason for the continued existence of Israel except as a testimony to the faithfulness of God.
Hymn for Today
Today’s hymn is ”God of All Power, and Truth, and Grace”, written by Charles Wesley. It contains a prayer for a new heart like that promised to Israel in Ezekiel 36:26.
God of all power, and truth, and grace,
Which shall from age to age endure,
Whose Word, when Heaven and earth shall pass,
Remains and stands for ever sure;
That I Thy mercy may proclaim,
That all mankind Thy truth may see,
Hallow Thy great and glorious name,
And perfect holiness in me.
Thy sanctifying Spirit pour,
To quench my thirst, and make me clean;
Now, Father, let the gracious shower
Descend, and make me pure from sin.
Purge me from every sinful blot;
My idols all be cast aside;
Cleanse me from every sinful thought,
From all the filth of self and pride.
Give me a new, a perfect heart,
From doubt, and fear, and sorrow free;
The mind which was in Christ impart,
And let my spirit cleave to Thee.
O take this heart of stone away!
Thy sway it doth not, cannot own;
In me no longer let it stay,
O take away this heart of stone!
O that I now, from sin released,
Thy Word may to the utmost prove,
Enter into the promised rest,
The Canaan of Thy perfect love