EZEKIEL 33-39. CHANGES AND PREPARATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE BLESSED FUTURE. Now that the security of Israel for the days to come is guaranteed by the destruction of the foreign nations, the mood of the prophet changes the old rebellious house (Ezekiel 2:5) gives place to the children of my people (Eze... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RESTORATION AND RENEWAL OF ISRAEL'S LAND. This chapter is brilliant with hope and promise. First comes a fine apostrophe (Ezekiel 36:1), tremulous with emotion (_cf._ Ezekiel 36:4), to the mountain land of Israel (contrast ch. 6). Mocked and desolated as it had been by the enemy, and especially... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CLEANSING AND RENEWING OF THE PEOPLE. This is a passage of peculiar interest and importance, carrying us as it does far into the mind and theology of Ezekiel. First, we are reminded that Israel's sins of bloodshed (whether child sacrifice or judicial murder) and idolatry had obliged Yahweh to dr... [ Continue Reading ]