Ezekiel 36:16-39:29: Transformation and Restoration
Introduction
1. Jerusalem has fallen and Ezekiel’s preaching has been
vindicated. The previous section prepared for renewal.
2. Now the prophet who preached judgment so long can turn
his attention to Israel’s hope of restoration.
I.
Israel Renewed (36:16-38)
A.
God’s Name Slandered (36:16-21)
1.
Jehovah takes time again and again to explain Israel’s error and defend
His actions to them.
a)
In this chapter, Jehovah describes the defilement of His name and His
response to it.
b)
Jehovah would act to vindicate His holy name and would renew Israel as a
spiritual nation.
2.
Prior to the captivity, Israel had defiled the land by bloodshed and
idolatry. 36:16-19
a)
Their sin made the land impure like a woman during her menstrual period.
b)
So God’s holy wrath was poured out and the people were scattered among
the nations.
3.
Once the Israelites went into captivity, another dishonor was done to
God’s name. 36:20-21
a)
The Gentiles blasphemously assumed that Israel’s captivity was due to
Jehovah’s weakness.
b)
Israel’s sin made punishment necessary, but their expulsion exposed God’s
name to slander.
4.
Application: Two important principles need to be observed about
our sin and God’s name.
a)
Sin defiles a nation and incurs God’s wrath. Where does our
nation stand? (idolatry,
blood)
b)
Our chastening profanes God. What do we do to our Father when He must
punish us?
B.
God’s Name Sanctified (36:22-38)
1.
Jehovah was going to act in the interests of His name, though Israel did
not deserve it. 36:22-23
a)
There would be no basis for pride or self-righteousness in the
restoration; it was about God!
b)
He would sanctify His great name (i.e. set it apart) and be proven holy
in the return.
2.
For the captives who would return, God made specific promises and
prophecies. 24-38
a)
He would bring them out of the nations where they had been scattered.
b)
He would cleanse them from the filthiness of their sin and idolatry.
c)
He would renew them within by putting His Spirit in them to bring forth
obedience.
d)
He would establish them in the land, bless them with great abundance, and
multiply them.
3.
Meanwhile the captives would:
a)
Faithfully obey God and walk in His ways. 36:27
b)
Remember their sin with great loathing and regret. 36:31
c)
Know that Jehovah is God. 36:38
4.
Application: There are important lessons here about God’s glory
and God’s grace.
a)
God’s name is great and holy. What is our highest interest: our welfare
or God’s name?
b)
God’s grace is action undeserved. Is our salvation about us or about God?
(Eph. 2:7; 3:9-10)
II.
Dry Bones Revived (37:1-14)
A.
The Vision and Its Meaning
1.
This may be the best known prophecy in Ezekiel; it is simple and
straightforward in its meaning.
a)
The valley of dry bones was another interactive, prophetic vision given
to Ezekiel.
b)
In this vision, the prophet was taken to a valley full of dry, separated
bones.
2.
Ezekiel was told to prophesy to the bones, and when he did so, the bones
came together.
a)
Sinew appeared on the newly formed skeletons, then tissue and skin.
b)
Ezekiel again prophesied and breath came into the bodies and they lived,
a great army.
3.
Jehovah told Ezekiel the meaning of the vision: hope for Israel who
appeared hopeless. 37:11-14
B.
Application
1.
Though life in the valley seemed impossible, Ezekiel’s faith took nothing
for granted. 37:3
2.
God can bring life out of death and can resurrect hope from the grave
where it has been laid.
3.
Even today, the gospel has the power to change lives that seem beyond
repair. 1Ti. 1:15-16
4.
We may feel as hopeless as these bones, but God can restore life when we
turn to Him.
III.
Two Sticks Reunited (37:15-28)
A.
The Illustration (37:15-17)
1.
This is the last action parable that Ezekiel performed.
2.
The prophet was told to take two sticks and write the names of Judah and
Ephraim on them.
3.
He was then to hold the two sticks in one hand as though the two had been
joined.
B.
The Interpretation (37:18-28)
1.
The interpretation of this parable was given by Jehovah; it is
straightforward and clear.
a)
Israel and Judah had been separated into two kingdoms, but one day they
would be rejoined.
b)
They would no longer be two nations with their own kings and idolatrous
practices.
2.
The two peoples would be one again, and David would be their King,
referring to the Messiah.
a)
This clearly refers to the Messianic kingdom when God would have one
covenant people.
b)
They would be obedient, established, at peace (with God), and God would
dwell with them.
3.
Application: Believers should be aware of the misuse Mormons make
of this passage.
a)
The LDS teach that this passage predicts the union of the Bible and the
Book of Mormon.
b)
This interpretation contradicts that given in the text and other
references. Jude 3; Ga. 1:8-9
IV.
Gog’s Army Routed (38:1-39:29)
A.
Gog and Her Allies
1.
Chapters 38-39 contain one of the most controversial prophesies within
Ezekiel.
a)
Gog of Magog,
prince of Rosh (or chief prince) of Meshech
and Tubal, raises an army.
b)
This ferocious, enormous army comes against Israel but is completely
routed and destroyed.
2.
In ch.38, we see Gog’s preparation and
motivation along with the invasion and confrontation.
a)
The Lord prepares a great army from all around Israel to attack in the
latter days. 38:7-9
b)
They intended to plunder Israel who was peaceful and completely
unprepared. 38:10-12
c)
But God had known of this enemy for a long time, and God would be ready.
38:17
d)
God would bring a great earthquake, flooding rain, hailstones, fire, and
brimstone. 38:18-23
3.
In ch.39, we see the complete destruction of Gog’s
forces and Israel’s ultimate vindication.
a)
God would lead them on and cause them to fall on Israel’s mountains.
39:1-6
b)
Israel would use Gog’s weapons as firewood
for seven years and spare their forests. 39:9-10
c)
Two scenes depict the size and defeat of Gog’s
army: their burial and God’s feast.
(1)
It would take seven months with every Israelite helping to bury the
enemy. 39:12-13
(2)
Then God would call the beasts to feast on the defeated enemy.
39:17-20
d)
The final verses confirm Jehovah’s exaltation in the restoration of His
people. 39:21-29
B.
Interpretations and Applications
1.
Interpreting this section is challenging; James E. Smith gives four main
views as follows: (483)
a)
Historical/Preterist – Describes restoration/intertestamental period
(e.g. Antiochus Epiphanes)
b)
Literal Futurist – Literal enemy of Israel; battle yet to occur
(Rosh=Russia; Gog=Russian leader)
c)
Prophetic Parable – Illustrates great truth of victory/security, no
specific enemy or battle
d)
Future Idealistic – Symbolic of final climatic struggle between good and
evil (cf. Re. 20:7-9)
2.
Of these views, the literal futurist is the popular, premillennial
view and also the most forced.
a)
This is an apocalyptic prophecy, and its elements are figurative in
nature.
b)
Will Gog’s weapons and their use as firewood
be literal? Will the burial be literal?
c)
How can the beasts eat the enemy forces after they have been buried?
d)
Where do these enemies come from since this occurs after the millennium?
3.
Whether this anticipates a literal enemy or not, the message is clear.
38:23; 39:6-7, 21-29
a)
God would be magnified, sanctified, and known before the eyes of the
world.
b)
The same images are used in Revelation to describe God’s ultimate
triumph. Re. 20:7-9
Conclusion
1. Though Ezekiel can certainly be challenging, much of the
difficulty is created by forcing literal theories.
2. Be content to let the text to
speak for itself; look for the interpretation God provides, and learn its
lessons.