“And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. 2 Thus says the Lord God: Because the enemy said of you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The ancient heights have become our possession,’ 3 therefore prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord God: Precisely because they made you desolate and crushed you from all sides, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations, and you became the talk and evil gossip of the people, 4 therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God: Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and the hills, the ravines and the valleys, the desolate wastes and the deserted cities, which have become a prey and derision to the rest of the nations all around, 5 therefore thus says the Lord God: Surely I have spoken in my hot jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave my land to themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, that they might make its pasturelands a prey. 6 Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I have spoken in my jealous wrath, because you have suffered the reproach of the nations. 7 Therefore thus says the Lord God: I swear that the nations that are all around you shall themselves suffer reproach.
8 “But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. 9 For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. 10 And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. 11 And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 12 I will let people walk on you, even my people Israel. And they shall possess you, and you shall be their inheritance, and you shall no longer bereave them of children. 13 Thus says the Lord God: Because they say to you, ‘You devour people, and you bereave your nation of children,’ 14 therefore you shall no longer devour people and no longer bereave your nation of children, declares the Lord God. 15 And I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble, declares the Lord God.”
The Lord's Concern for His Holy Name
16 The word of the Lord came to me: 17 “Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds. Their ways before me were like the uncleanness of a woman in her menstrual impurity. 18 So I poured out my wrath upon them for the blood that they had shed in the land, for the idols with which they had defiled it. 19 I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries. In accordance with their ways and their deeds I judged them. 20 But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that people said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they had to go out of his land.’ 21 But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they came.
I Will Put My Spirit Within You
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.
33 “Thus says the Lord God: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be rebuilt. 34 And the land that was desolate shall be tilled, instead of being the desolation that it was in the sight of all who passed by. 35 And they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.
37 “Thus says the Lord God: This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock. 38 Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 36 ESV
Ezekiel 36: 1-15
This chapter presents the prerequisite regeneration that Israel must experience so they can nationally enter into promised blessings. This chapter must be understood to speak of a literal Israel, a literal land, and a literal regeneration, leading to a literal kingdom under Messiah. "Prophesy to the mountains" Ezekiel addresses Israel's mountains, as symbolic of the whole nation. He promises: 1) to give these mountains again to dispersed Israel (v. 12); 2) to cause fruit to grow on them (v. 8); 3) to rebuild cities and to multiply people there (v. 10); and 4) to bless in a greater way than in the past (v.11). This promise can only be fulfilled in future millennial blessing to Israel that she has not yet experienced, because it includes the salvation of the New Covenant (vv. 25-27, 29, 31, 33). - J Mac Study Bible notes
1-7 Prophesy to the mountains of Israel - I think what Macarthur wrote above is a great overall statement and approach to this chapter. There has been a growing shift within reformed circles to move away from a literal interpretation of Apocalyptic chapters, including those of Daniel and Revelation, notably in the Amillennial and Preterist camps. While I hold a deep regard for many of these men, and I don't see their choice of eschatological interpretation as seated in any dark underlying motives, yet I find it a confusing departure from normal interpretation. I want to present the Scripture first, and then my notes as I look for the Author's intent, which will always point back to Scripture, the sovereignty of the Author, and Him not being a God of disorder and confusion, nor a man that He should lie. These mountains are the land God promised to give to Abraham's seed. This land belongs first and foremost to the Creator of the land, and is therefore His to do with as He wishes. The mountains of Israel had long been defiled by the people of Israel, who made the high places to worship their idols, for which sin God now removed them from these mountains. The temple of God itself sat upon Mt. Moriah, which was the threshing floor purchased by David.
1Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” 3So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.… Genesis 22: 1-3
Some attack the principle of literal interpretation of Scripture by stating that this method denies the Bible's use of figurative language (including types, symbols, figures of speech, etc). Dr Charles Ryrie counters such specious reasoning noting specifically that literalism
does not preclude or exclude correct understanding of types, illustrations, apocalypses, and other genres within the basic framework of literal interpretation… (Literal interpretation) might also be called plain interpretation so that no one receives the mistaken notion that the literal principle rules out figures of speech.
E R Craven adds that "The Literalist (so called) is not one who denies that figurative language, that symbols are used in prophecy, nor does he deny the great spiritual truths are set forth therein; his position is, simply, that the prophecies are to be normally interpreted (i.e., according to received laws of language) as any other utterances are interpreted-that which is manifestly literal being regarded as literal, that which is manifestly figurative being so regarded. (From a Note appended to the bottom of the page - See Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Moore, E., Craven, E. R., & Woods, J. H. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures : Revelation, 1872) - Taken from Precept Austin
Aha...the ancient heights have become our possession - In chapter 35 Ezekiel had addressed another mountain, Mt. Seir, which was Edom, who had rejoiced in Israel's demise, desired it, as many nations do today. Edom and Israel's other neighbors, who worshiped these gods of the high places, now thought the land was being handed over to them. They would now own these lofty places, yet God sees the title to the land differently.
…20For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful schemes against those who live quietly in the land. 21They gape at me and say, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!” 22O LORD, You have seen it; be not silent. O Lord, be not far from me.… Psalm 35: 20-22
23The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me. 24Thus for every piece of property you possess, you must provide for the redemption of the land.… Leviticus 25: 23-24
Evil gossip of the people - It was not that what they said wasn't true about Israel, but it was hypocritical because their peoples all came from the same blood, all had turned away from the true God long ago. God was kicking Israel out of the land for committing the same sins that the people before her were removed for, since He is just, yet Edom and the other nations are in no way disgusted by sin, just opportunistic. It is like me saying, "God redeem me, but take my neighbor to hell, for I am worthy and he is not, oh, and I like his property." It is difficult to say how much they knew about Israel's religion, for the Assyrians had assumed that they did when they thought Jerusalem would be easily taken because their king had done what was right in removing the high places. Sennacherib mistakenly thought that this would anger their God or the gods, leaving them without aid. God sent one angel to kill 185,000 Assyrians.
Whispering (dibbah) means slander, a bad report with intent to defame. The picture is of whispering which spreads slander against someone (Ps 31:13, Jer 20:10). In the present context the whispering is strictly speaking not slander for the people are speaking truth about Israel but in a derogatory sense. - Precept Austin
Therefore - This means God is about to act or pass judgement.
Who gave my land to themselves - Now, what would happen in a case like this, if I decided to set up on someone else's property? They want it to be about Israel, about this particular people that they know, and that they have seen removed, and who they also helped hunt the fugitives of, for obviously dubious and self seeking reasons. God had a covenant with this people that they could live in this land if they did not behave like the people who were being kicked out, so ultimately it is His land, and if you were not invited then you were squatting. The land was given to Israel with stipulations; God holds the deed to what He created, which includes life itself.
18You are to keep My statutes and carefully observe My judgments, so that you may dwell securely in the land. 19Then the land will yield its fruit, so that you can eat your fill and dwell in safety in the land. 20Now you may wonder, ‘What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not sow or gather our produce?’… Leviticus 25: 18-20
…32You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. 33They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.” Exodus 23: 32-33
29When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations you are entering to dispossess, and you drive them out and live in their land, 30be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” 31You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.… Deuteronomy 12: 29-31
…15Then the LORD appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent. 16And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them. 17On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’… Deuteronomy 31: 15-17
Make its pasture lands a prey - Again, they were not upset that Israel sinned against God, only happy that the few left would not be able to resist them in plundering the land. They could all be likened to Ahab, whose wife, Jezebel, sent to have Naboth killed in order for her husband to possess Naboth's ancestral land, which was apportioned to the tribes, and not for sale.
Prey (baz) means booty or spoil. It speaks of plunder which means the taking of good by force (as when the enemies of Israel plundered the land.)
In other words, in the present context, the land of Israel had been plundered by Babylon, by Edom and by other surrounding nations. And what God is preparing to tell His exiled, dejected, despondent, defeated people in the following verses is in essence "What goes around, comes around." - Precept Austin
I swear that the nations that are all around you shall themselves suffer reproach - Through Israel came the word of God, the covenants, the miraculous events in their redemption from Egypt, yet God was not an idol created by them to worship in the hope of their wants. Now they would surely like such a relationship, as revealed in their idolatry, yet God was no genie in a lamp. This was another lamp, God's chosen people, who would reveal His word and character, for He has placed His word with His name. If God says, "do this and you shall live", well what if His own people don't? He is true to His word, and He punishes the sin, and this should be a reproach to all of us, that even given the best of soil, rain from heaven, the law of God, yet we would not keep it either, and the nations around them did not honor God, nor did they rightly view Israel's state.
…34“Have I not stored up these things, sealed up within My vaults? 35Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” 36For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.… Deuteronomy 31: 34-36
8-15 For they will soon come home - Imagine the smile on Ezekiel's face when he now shifts from God's judgment to words of His coming grace. A portion of the promises here are realized under Babylon's defeat by Persia, and under Persian rule a portion of the people returned to Israel and rebuilt a more modest version of the prior temple.
I will turn to you - Much better than the five "I wills" of Lucifer, whose statements were a testament to the self delusion brought on by pride. There is only One God and what He says has created worlds, surely it will come to past regardless of our belief. When you are actually God, the omnipotent, omniscient Creator, it is not wishful speaking, positive thinking or bragging, but glorious reality, of what will happen because God has spoken it. This is the God, Who also humbled Himself in obedience to God the Father, became a servant and gave Himself at the cross.
Gaebelein refers to "I will" as God's "word of sovereign grace." Twenty one times Jehovah says what He will do. They are the “I wills” of Israel’s Hope and coming Glory." Some say God said and I believe it so that settles it. Even better is God said it, that settles it, whether I believe it or not! - Precept Austin
You shall be tilled and sown - This is how it will produce fruit, and the prophet speaks to the mountains because there are no people there. Some discuss the sharpness of the transitions within this passage, yet everything that happens to the land will also happen to the people. It brings to mind the parable of the seed and the sower, and as we shall see, that regeneration that must take place within the heart. We must remove the rocks before planting, and the high places must be torn down.
…5Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.
…6But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings, and they yielded no crop. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprouted, grew up, and produced a crop—one bearing thirtyfold, another sixtyfold, and another a hundredfold.”… Mark 4: 5-8
The whole house of Israel, all of it - This is not just Judah, but the twelve tribes, who have been dispersed throughout all of the world. They had a small taste of those returning from Babylon, but this will draw the Jews from all over the world, which there has been some movement of in recent times. Israel has become a nation again, and they have taken in their brothers from areas of holocaust, from Europe, Russia and even Africa. The Hebrew language has been revived, and Israel has become a stronghold of scientific discoveries. This looks even beyond that, to a corporate confession, no longer disjointed in unbelief, but this time accepting their Messiah, looking back upon Him Whose hands were pierced.
10Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 11On that day the wailing in Jerusalem will be as great as the wailing of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.… Zechariah 12: 10-11
And do more good to you than ever before - They had some pretty rich times under David, and then massive amounts of wealth during Solomon's reign, a magnificent temple, freedom to worship, protection and peace from their enemies. There was no famine then, yet what is described for the future exceeds this, and they will have the great King, Jesus, the Messiah in their midst. Israel has not known a time of national peace, riches, monetary or spiritual, or unity since Solomon's grievous errors as a shepherd, and the splitting of the kingdom under his son. This all looks forward to a Millennial reign.
And you shall be their inheritance - Hence the promised land. Israel has never received the fullness of this land which was promised to Abraham.
You (the land) will become their (Israel's) inheritance - The land of Israel will belong to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (See Exodus 33:1) Notice it does not say My people Israel will possess you because they are so good, so kind, so righteous! No, it is because Jehovah in His manifold grace wills it to be so, ultimately a reflection of His steadfast faithfulness to His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Anything good we in the New Covenant "possess" is based on the same foundation - Jehovah's faithfulness to His covenant promises in Christ Jesus. This truth should cause us to continually experience a healthy humility! - Precept Austin
No longer bereave your nation of children - They will no longer be taken into captivity, there will be peace with their neighbors, and even between the child and the Adder. No more famine, so no more starving children, the mountains will be fruitful.
…15So you will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror to the nations around you, when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and raging fury. I, the LORD, have spoken. 16When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food. 17I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.”… Ezekiel 5: 15-17
…31But the men who had gone up with him replied, “We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!” 32So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land that they had spied out: “The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are great in stature. 33We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”… Numbers 13: 31-33
No longer bear the disgrace of the peoples -
I will not let you hear insults from the nations anymore - When will this be fulfilled? It can only be when Messiah rules the nations with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9, Rev 19:15-note). Then and only then will there be no more ''insults from the nations''. Look at our day (these notes are revised April, 2020). Israel is constantly caused to hear insults from the nations of the world and this anti-Semitism will crescendo until it reaches a fever pitch in the time of Jacob's trouble or distress (Jer 30:7-commentary - read what follows this time - Jer 30:8, 9-note = The Messiah's Millennial Reign), which is synonymous with the last 3.5 years of Daniel's Seventieth Week, the horrible time that Jesus called "The Great Tribulation." - Precept Austin
Now you may wonder, "how can these things be? How can this people live in a land where they were kicked out of for disobeying God? Does God no longer hate sin, has He changed His mind?" This should all become very clear, so stay tuned till the next episodes.
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