Ezekiel 36:8-15 - They will soon come home!

36:8-12

While the surrounding lands would become desolate wastelands, the mountains of Israel would become fruitful. There is a link between the godliness of the people and the health of the environment. In fact, the most useful thing that the world could do to help the environment is to repent and turn to the Lord! God is concerned for the land, and that it should be fruitful and dwelt on by many people. There are a number of key differences here with the teachings of some environmentalists (these are inevitably generalisations). Humanistic environmentalism often sees man as the problem, and has periodically taught that there are too many people. God sees man as the problem, but only because we have rebelled against Him! The world was created to be inhabited by people! So God will increase the number of people. When man lives in harmony with God, he will also live in harmony with nature, and nature will live in harmony with man.

36:13-15

One of the consequences of the blessing of the Lord is living in peace and without fear of enemies. This is what will ultimately happen to Israel. There will come a time when she is no longer threatened, when she is no longer the taunt of nations. Clearly this day has not arrived yet, and will only arrive when she turns to the Lord, recognising Jesus for who He is.