Ezekiel 36:1-7 - Hear the word of the Sovereign Lord

36:1-3

We now move into the more hopeful passages in Ezekiel. The word is addressed to the “mountains” of Israel. They are seen as representing the nation, and the enemies of Israel had been gloating that they had conquered Israel. “Therefore say ...” The nations were wrong! Many people think the church is done for, they too are wrong. But why are they wrong? Israel was a basket case, the church is often not much better. The reason is God. He would forgive and transform Israel, He forgives and transforms the church. When man forgets God he gets things badly wrong.

36:4-7

Both the nations and Israel herself needed to hear the word of God. The desolate areas needed to hear the word of God. We all need to hear the word of God. When we look at a situation, including looking at ourselves, without the light of the word of God, we will never see the truth. And note that God is fully aware of what the situation was, He knew the land was desolate and bereft. God has spoke and “with burning zeal”. In Is 9:7 it says “the zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.” The mention of Edom in 36:5 shows that chapter 35 is not a later interpolation. The nations with “glee and malice” plundered the land. We need to learn not to be intimidated when the enemies of God make a big noise about their supposed victories or power. What we need to do is to turn to the Lord and listen to Him. We see here the “jealous wrath” of the Lord. The Lord has determined that Israel will become a faithful nation, and the nations that attack Israel will suffer.