Is greedy Gog led into a divine trap to make God’s name known to the entire world? Let’s begin in Ezekiel 38.
Does God warn about a confederacy of nations ruled by Gog?
Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I am against you, Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. (Ezek 38:1-3 WEB)
What other nations are described as being in this coalition? Is God setting a trap for Gog?
I will turn you about, set hooks in your jaws, and lead you out, you and all your army, horses and riders, handsomely dressed, all of them, a great assembly, with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords. Persia, Cush, and Put are with you, all of them equipped with shield and helmet. Gomer and all his troops, Beth-togarmah from the far north and all his troops; many peoples are with you. (Ezek 38:4-6 CEB)
Do we now shift focus from assembling the alliance to launching their assault against a peaceful, defenseless Israel?
So keep your troops prepared to fight, because in a few years, I will command you to invade Israel, a country that was ruined by war. It was deserted for a long time, but its people have returned from the foreign nations where they once lived. The Israelites now live in peace in the mountains of their own land. But you and your army will attack them like a fierce thunderstorm and surround them like a cloud. (Ezek 38:7-9 CEV)
Does God reveal the real motive, the greed that drives Gog to invade Israel?
Thus says the Lord God: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme and say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages.
I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,’ to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth.
Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?’ (Ezek 38:10-13 ESV)
Does God want to humble arrogant Gog and reveal that Israel’s ultimate security comes from Him, not a military or forts?
Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog: This is what the Lord God says: On that day when My people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not know this and come from your place in the remotest parts of the north—you and many peoples with you, who are all riding horses—a mighty horde, a huge army?
You will advance against My people Israel like a cloud covering the land. It will happen in the last days, Gog, that I will bring you against My land so that the nations may know Me, when I show Myself holy through you in their sight. (Ezek 38:14-16 HCSB)
Instead of a military victory is Gog walking directly into a judgment that God’s prophets had been foretelling for centuries?
This is what the Lord God says: ‘Surely you’re the one about whom I spoke years ago in the writings of my servants, Israel’s prophets, aren’t you? They predicted back then that I would bring you up after many years, didn’t they? So it will be that on that day, when Gog invades the land of Israel,’ declares the Lord God, ‘my zeal will ignite my anger. (Ezek 38:17-18 ISV)
Does God demonstrate His power through an incredible earthquake?
For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. (Ezek 38:19-20 KJV)
In this explosive climax, is the destruction of Gog’s army through supernatural means, to make God’s name known to the entire world?
“And I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains,” declares Lord Yahweh. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the numerous peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire, and brimstone. And I will magnify Myself, I will manifest Myself as holy, and I will make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am Yahweh.”’ (Ezek 38:21-23 LSB)
Is Gog specifically mentioned in a prophecy at the end of the millennium?
When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. (Rev 20:7–8 NASB)
Is greedy Gog led into a divine trap to make God’s name known to the entire world? You decide!
Bones & Sticks (Ezekiel 37)
What great hope did God give through a valley of dry bones and two sticks? Let’s look at Ezekiel 37.
What remarkable thing did Ezekiel see in the middle of a valley?
The hand of the Lord was on me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them. There were a great many of them on the surface of the valley, and they were very dry. Then He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I replied, “Lord God, only You know.” (Ezek 37:1-3 HCSB)
What did the Lord tell Ezekiel to do regarding these dry bones?
Then the Lord told me, “Prophesy to these bones. Tell them: ‘You dry bones, listen to the message from the Lord: “This is what the Lord God says to you dry bones! ‘Pay attention! I’m bringing my Spirit into you right now, and you’re going to live! I’m going to grow tendons on you, regenerate your flesh, cover you with skin, and make you breathe again so that you can come back to life and learn that I am the Lord.’”’” (Ezek 37:4-6 ISV)
What happened as Ezekiel prophesied to the bones in the valley?
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. (Ezek 37:7-10 KJV)
Who did God say that these bones were, and what did He want Ezekiel to say to them?
Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.
Then you will know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken and done it,” declares Yahweh.’” (Ezek 37:11-14 LSB)
What did Ezekiel taking two sticks and joining them as one represent?
The word of the Lord came again to me, saying, “Now you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, ‘For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.’ Then put them together for yourself one to another into one stick, so that they may become one in your hand.
And when the sons of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?’ say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am going to take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.”’ (Ezek 37:15-19 NASB)
What did God say that He would do with the scattered tribes of Israel?
Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.
There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezek 37:20-23 NIV)
Will they return to the land of their inheritance and live there forever under a new covenant?
David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” ’ (Ezek 37:24-28 NKJV)
Does Revelation describe a similar thing happening to the two final witnesses?
But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. (Rev 11:11 NLT)
What great hope did God give through a valley of dry bones and two sticks? You decide!
What remarkable thing did Ezekiel see in the middle of a valley?
The hand of the Lord was on me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them. There were a great many of them on the surface of the valley, and they were very dry. Then He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I replied, “Lord God, only You know.” (Ezek 37:1-3 HCSB)
What did the Lord tell Ezekiel to do regarding these dry bones?
Then the Lord told me, “Prophesy to these bones. Tell them: ‘You dry bones, listen to the message from the Lord: “This is what the Lord God says to you dry bones! ‘Pay attention! I’m bringing my Spirit into you right now, and you’re going to live! I’m going to grow tendons on you, regenerate your flesh, cover you with skin, and make you breathe again so that you can come back to life and learn that I am the Lord.’”’” (Ezek 37:4-6 ISV)
What happened as Ezekiel prophesied to the bones in the valley?
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. (Ezek 37:7-10 KJV)
Who did God say that these bones were, and what did He want Ezekiel to say to them?
Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.
Then you will know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken and done it,” declares Yahweh.’” (Ezek 37:11-14 LSB)
What did Ezekiel taking two sticks and joining them as one represent?
The word of the Lord came again to me, saying, “Now you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, ‘For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.’ Then put them together for yourself one to another into one stick, so that they may become one in your hand.
And when the sons of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?’ say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am going to take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.”’ (Ezek 37:15-19 NASB)
What did God say that He would do with the scattered tribes of Israel?
Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.
There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezek 37:20-23 NIV)
Will they return to the land of their inheritance and live there forever under a new covenant?
David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” ’ (Ezek 37:24-28 NKJV)
Does Revelation describe a similar thing happening to the two final witnesses?
But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. (Rev 11:11 NLT)
What great hope did God give through a valley of dry bones and two sticks? You decide!
Restoration (Ezekiel 36)
Did God graciously promise to restore Israel, defend His holy name, and provide inner spiritual transformation? Let’s look at Ezekiel 36.
Why does God command Ezekiel to speak a message of comfort and restoration to the land, mountains, hills, valleys, and ruined cities of Israel?
Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say: Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord God says: Because the enemy has said about you, ‘Good! The ancient heights have become our possession,’ therefore, prophesy and say: This is what the Lord God says:
Because they have made you desolate and have trampled you from every side, so that you became a possession for the rest of the nations and an object of people’s gossip and slander, therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God. This is what the Lord God says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and abandoned cities, which have become plunder and a mockery to the rest of the nations all around. (Ezek 36:1-4 HCSB)
Does God express anger against surrounding nations—specifically Edom—for mocking and plundering the desolate land of Israel, vowing judgment of shame and disgrace?
Because this is what the Lord God says: “Motivated by my burning zealousness, I have spoken against the rest of the surrounding nations, including Edom, who confiscated my land, taking possession of it with joyful enthusiasm and with animal-like malice, in order to plunder Israel’s pastures.’ “Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and speak to its mountains, hills, ravines, and valleys.
Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Pay attention! In my zealous anger I’m speaking because you’ve had to endure the mockery of the world’s nations.”’” Therefore this is what the Lord God says: “I hereby raise my hand to swear this oath: the nations that surround you will have their own mockery to endure!” (Ezek 36:5-7 ISV)
Does God promise that the devastated land of Israel will grow branches and bear fruit once again because the exiled Israelites are about to return home?
But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come. (Ezek 36:8 KJV)
Did God promise to restore Israel after their exile in Babylon, far greater than before?
For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you will be cultivated and sown. I will multiply men on you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities will be inhabited, and the waste places will be rebuilt. I will multiply on you man and beast; and they will multiply and be fruitful; and I will cause you to be inhabited as you were formerly and will treat you better than at the first.
Thus you will know that I am Yahweh. And I will cause men—My people Israel—to walk on you and possess you so that you will become their inheritance and never again bereave them of children.’ (Ezek 36:9-12 LSB)
Does God refute the cruel taunts of surrounding nations that the land of Israel "devours its people" and leaves the nation childless?
“The Lord God says this: ‘Since they say to you, “You are a devourer of people and have bereaved your nation of children,” for that reason you will no longer devour people and no longer bereave your nation of children,’ declares the Lord God. I will not let you hear insults from the nations anymore, nor will you suffer disgrace from the peoples any longer, nor will you make your nation stumble any longer,” declares the Lord God.’” (Ezek 36:13-15 NASB)
Why did God punish Israel with exile? Why was God’s reputation at stake among foreign nations?
Again the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by their conduct and their actions. Their conduct was like a woman’s monthly uncleanness in my sight. So I poured out my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols.
I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions. And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the Lord’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’ I had concern for my holy name, which the people of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone. (Ezek 36:16-21 NIV)
Did God restore and save His people not because they deserve it?
Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. (Ezek 36:22-24 NKJV)
What does sprinkling symbolize? Does God promise a deep spiritual transformation and inner renewal for His people rather than just external obedience to rules?
Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezek 36:25-27 NLT)
Did God pledge to restore Israel to their homeland, cleanse them from idolatry, and transform their hearts from the inside out?
You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and will multiply it, and lay no famine on you. I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field, that you may receive no more the reproach of famine among the nations.
“Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. I don’t do this for your sake,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel.” (Ezek 36:28-32 WEB)
Did God promise the complete physical and spiritual restoration of Israel from exile, transforming a ruined and deserted land into a paradise like the Garden of Eden?
The Lord God proclaims: On the day that I cleanse you of all your guilt, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The desolate land will be farmed, and it won’t be like it was when it seemed a wasteland to all who passed by.
They will say, “This land, which was a desolation, has become like the garden of Eden.” And the cities that were ruined, ravaged, and razed are now fortified and inhabited. The surviving nations around you will know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt what was torn down and have planted what was made desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it. (Ezek 36:33-36 CEB)
Does God promise to dramatically increase and restore the population of Israel in response to their prayers, filling previously ruined cities with people?
I will once again answer your prayers, and I will let your nation grow until you are like a large flock of sheep. The towns that now lie in ruins will be filled with people, just as Jerusalem was once filled with sheep to be offered as sacrifices during a festival. Then you will know that I am the Lord. (Ezek 36:37-38 CEV)
Does God save believers based entirely on His mercy rather than any righteous deeds or human effort? What kind of washing is important to God?
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5 ESV)
Did God graciously promise to restore Israel, defend His holy name, and provide inner spiritual transformation? You decide!
Why does God command Ezekiel to speak a message of comfort and restoration to the land, mountains, hills, valleys, and ruined cities of Israel?
Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say: Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord God says: Because the enemy has said about you, ‘Good! The ancient heights have become our possession,’ therefore, prophesy and say: This is what the Lord God says:
Because they have made you desolate and have trampled you from every side, so that you became a possession for the rest of the nations and an object of people’s gossip and slander, therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God. This is what the Lord God says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and abandoned cities, which have become plunder and a mockery to the rest of the nations all around. (Ezek 36:1-4 HCSB)
Does God express anger against surrounding nations—specifically Edom—for mocking and plundering the desolate land of Israel, vowing judgment of shame and disgrace?
Because this is what the Lord God says: “Motivated by my burning zealousness, I have spoken against the rest of the surrounding nations, including Edom, who confiscated my land, taking possession of it with joyful enthusiasm and with animal-like malice, in order to plunder Israel’s pastures.’ “Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and speak to its mountains, hills, ravines, and valleys.
Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Pay attention! In my zealous anger I’m speaking because you’ve had to endure the mockery of the world’s nations.”’” Therefore this is what the Lord God says: “I hereby raise my hand to swear this oath: the nations that surround you will have their own mockery to endure!” (Ezek 36:5-7 ISV)
Does God promise that the devastated land of Israel will grow branches and bear fruit once again because the exiled Israelites are about to return home?
But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come. (Ezek 36:8 KJV)
Did God promise to restore Israel after their exile in Babylon, far greater than before?
For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you will be cultivated and sown. I will multiply men on you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities will be inhabited, and the waste places will be rebuilt. I will multiply on you man and beast; and they will multiply and be fruitful; and I will cause you to be inhabited as you were formerly and will treat you better than at the first.
Thus you will know that I am Yahweh. And I will cause men—My people Israel—to walk on you and possess you so that you will become their inheritance and never again bereave them of children.’ (Ezek 36:9-12 LSB)
Does God refute the cruel taunts of surrounding nations that the land of Israel "devours its people" and leaves the nation childless?
“The Lord God says this: ‘Since they say to you, “You are a devourer of people and have bereaved your nation of children,” for that reason you will no longer devour people and no longer bereave your nation of children,’ declares the Lord God. I will not let you hear insults from the nations anymore, nor will you suffer disgrace from the peoples any longer, nor will you make your nation stumble any longer,” declares the Lord God.’” (Ezek 36:13-15 NASB)
Why did God punish Israel with exile? Why was God’s reputation at stake among foreign nations?
Again the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by their conduct and their actions. Their conduct was like a woman’s monthly uncleanness in my sight. So I poured out my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols.
I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions. And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the Lord’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’ I had concern for my holy name, which the people of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone. (Ezek 36:16-21 NIV)
Did God restore and save His people not because they deserve it?
Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. (Ezek 36:22-24 NKJV)
What does sprinkling symbolize? Does God promise a deep spiritual transformation and inner renewal for His people rather than just external obedience to rules?
Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezek 36:25-27 NLT)
Did God pledge to restore Israel to their homeland, cleanse them from idolatry, and transform their hearts from the inside out?
You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and will multiply it, and lay no famine on you. I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field, that you may receive no more the reproach of famine among the nations.
“Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. I don’t do this for your sake,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel.” (Ezek 36:28-32 WEB)
Did God promise the complete physical and spiritual restoration of Israel from exile, transforming a ruined and deserted land into a paradise like the Garden of Eden?
The Lord God proclaims: On the day that I cleanse you of all your guilt, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The desolate land will be farmed, and it won’t be like it was when it seemed a wasteland to all who passed by.
They will say, “This land, which was a desolation, has become like the garden of Eden.” And the cities that were ruined, ravaged, and razed are now fortified and inhabited. The surviving nations around you will know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt what was torn down and have planted what was made desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it. (Ezek 36:33-36 CEB)
Does God promise to dramatically increase and restore the population of Israel in response to their prayers, filling previously ruined cities with people?
I will once again answer your prayers, and I will let your nation grow until you are like a large flock of sheep. The towns that now lie in ruins will be filled with people, just as Jerusalem was once filled with sheep to be offered as sacrifices during a festival. Then you will know that I am the Lord. (Ezek 36:37-38 CEV)
Does God save believers based entirely on His mercy rather than any righteous deeds or human effort? What kind of washing is important to God?
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5 ESV)
Did God graciously promise to restore Israel, defend His holy name, and provide inner spiritual transformation? You decide!
Gloating (Ezekiel 35)
What does God think about malice, opportunistic greed, and gloating over the downfall of others? Let’s look at an example in Ezekiel 35.
Did God pronounce judgment against Mount Seir in Edom, the descendants of Esau, because of their violence against Israel and Judah during the Babylonian captivity?
Again a message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, turn and face Mount Seir, and prophesy against its people. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: ‘I am your enemy, O Mount Seir, and I will raise my fist against you to destroy you completely. I will demolish your cities and make you desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” (Ezek 35:1-4 NLT)
What does God pronounce upon the people of Edom because of their perpetual hostility?
“Because you have had a perpetual hostility, and have given over the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end, therefore, as I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “I will prepare you for blood, and blood will pursue you. Since you have not hated blood, therefore blood will pursue you.
Thus I will make Mount Seir an astonishment and a desolation. I will cut off from it him who passes through and him who returns. I will fill its mountains with its slain. The slain with the sword will fall in your hills and in your valleys and in all your watercourses. I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.” (Ezek 35:5-9 WEB)
What divine oracle of judgment did God pronounce against Edom (Mount Seir) for trying to seize the land of Israel and Judah during their exile while speaking arrogant words against God?
You said, “These two nations and these two territories are mine. We will take possession of them even if the Lord is there.” Therefore, the Lord God proclaims: As surely as I live, I will act according to the anger and zeal you displayed when you dealt with them so hatefully.
When I judge you, I will make myself known to them, and you will know that I am the Lord. I’ve heard the lies and libels that you uttered against Israel’s highlands when you said, “They are laid waste. They’ve been given to us to consume.” With your mouths you exalted yourselves against me and spoke your words against me. I myself heard it! (Ezek 35:10-13 CEB)
Is this a divine prophecy of strict retribution and poetic justice against Edom?
Everyone on earth will celebrate when I destroy you, just as you celebrated when Israel was destroyed. Your nation of Edom will be nothing but a wasteland. Then everyone will know that I am the Lord. (Ezek 35:14-15 CEV)
Did the author of Hebrews warn against becoming a godless person like Esau (Edom)?
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Heb 12:15–17 ESV)
What does God think about malice, opportunistic greed, and gloating over the downfall of others? You decide!
Did God pronounce judgment against Mount Seir in Edom, the descendants of Esau, because of their violence against Israel and Judah during the Babylonian captivity?
Again a message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, turn and face Mount Seir, and prophesy against its people. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: ‘I am your enemy, O Mount Seir, and I will raise my fist against you to destroy you completely. I will demolish your cities and make you desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” (Ezek 35:1-4 NLT)
What does God pronounce upon the people of Edom because of their perpetual hostility?
“Because you have had a perpetual hostility, and have given over the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end, therefore, as I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “I will prepare you for blood, and blood will pursue you. Since you have not hated blood, therefore blood will pursue you.
Thus I will make Mount Seir an astonishment and a desolation. I will cut off from it him who passes through and him who returns. I will fill its mountains with its slain. The slain with the sword will fall in your hills and in your valleys and in all your watercourses. I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.” (Ezek 35:5-9 WEB)
What divine oracle of judgment did God pronounce against Edom (Mount Seir) for trying to seize the land of Israel and Judah during their exile while speaking arrogant words against God?
You said, “These two nations and these two territories are mine. We will take possession of them even if the Lord is there.” Therefore, the Lord God proclaims: As surely as I live, I will act according to the anger and zeal you displayed when you dealt with them so hatefully.
When I judge you, I will make myself known to them, and you will know that I am the Lord. I’ve heard the lies and libels that you uttered against Israel’s highlands when you said, “They are laid waste. They’ve been given to us to consume.” With your mouths you exalted yourselves against me and spoke your words against me. I myself heard it! (Ezek 35:10-13 CEB)
Is this a divine prophecy of strict retribution and poetic justice against Edom?
Everyone on earth will celebrate when I destroy you, just as you celebrated when Israel was destroyed. Your nation of Edom will be nothing but a wasteland. Then everyone will know that I am the Lord. (Ezek 35:14-15 CEV)
Did the author of Hebrews warn against becoming a godless person like Esau (Edom)?
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Heb 12:15–17 ESV)
What does God think about malice, opportunistic greed, and gloating over the downfall of others? You decide!
Good Shepherd (Ezekiel 34)
How does the history of human leadership contrast with that of the Good Shepherd? Let’s begin in Ezekiel 34.
What did God say against corrupt leaders, who exploited Israel for personal gain instead of caring for the people?
The Lord’s word came to me: Human one, prophesy against Israel’s shepherds. Prophesy and say to them, The Lord God proclaims to the shepherds: Doom to Israel’s shepherds who tended themselves! Shouldn’t shepherds tend the flock? You drink the milk, you wear the wool, and you slaughter the fat animals, but you don’t tend the flock. (Ezek 34:1-3 CEB)
Did God sharply condemn Israel’s national leaders as shepherds that cruelly neglect, exploit, and fail to protect the people?
You have never protected the weak ones or healed the sick ones or bandaged those that get hurt. You let them wander off and never look for those that get lost. You are cruel and mean to my sheep. They strayed in every direction, and because there was no shepherd to watch them, they were attacked and eaten by wild animals. So my sheep were scattered across the earth. They roamed on hills and mountains, without anyone even bothering to look for them. (Ezek 34:4-6 CEV)
Did God condemn national leaders for exploiting the people and leaving them neglected, abused, and scattered?
Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. (Ezek 34:7-10 ESV)
Does God promise as the Good Shepherd to find, gather, and care for His scattered, neglected people?
For this is what the Lord God says: See, I Myself will search for My flock and look for them. As a shepherd looks for his sheep on the day he is among his scattered flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a cloudy and dark day.
I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will shepherd them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the land. I will tend them with good pasture, and their grazing place will be on Israel’s lofty mountains. There they will lie down in a good grazing place; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. (Ezek 34:11-14 HCSB)
Did God promise to step in as the true Shepherd of Israel, remove evil leadership and provide justice, rest, and protection?
I will feed my sheep and give them rest,’ declares the Lord God. ‘I’m going to seek both the lost as well as the scattered, and bring them both back so their broken bones can be set and the sick can be healed. But in righteousness I’ll exterminate the fat and the stiff-necked.’
Now as for you, my flock, this is what the Lord God says: ‘Watch out! I’m going to judge between one sheep and another, and between the rams and the goats. Is it such an insignificant thing to you that you’re feeding in good pastures but trampling down the other pastures with your feet? Or that as you’re drinking from the clear streams you’re muddying the rest with your feet? My flock is grazing on what you’ve been treading down with your feet and they’re drinking what you’ve been making muddy with your feet!’ (Ezek 34:15-19 ISV)
Will God step in to judge self-serving, powerful people within the nation who mistreat and exploit the vulnerable?
Therefore thus saith the Lord God unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. (Ezek 34:20-22 KJV)
Does God promise to replace corrupt, self-serving leaders with a righteous descendant of David to care for His people?
Then I will establish over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will shepherd them; he will shepherd them himself and be their shepherd. And I, Yahweh, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I, Yahweh, have spoken. (Ezek 34:23-24 LSB)
Does God promise ultimate peace, safety, and abundance after rebuking corrupt, self-serving leaders?
And I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful animals from the land, so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing.
And I will make showers fall in their season; they will be showers of blessing. Also the tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its produce, and they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have saved them from the hand of those who enslaved them. (Ezek 34:25-27 NASB)
Does God contrast abusive human leadership with His own tender care of His people as the Good Shepherd?
They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid. I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations. Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord. (Ezek 34:28-31 NIV)
What makes Jesus stand apart from any human leadership?
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (John 10:11-15 NKJV)
How does the history of human leadership contrast with that of the Good Shepherd? You decide!
What did God say against corrupt leaders, who exploited Israel for personal gain instead of caring for the people?
The Lord’s word came to me: Human one, prophesy against Israel’s shepherds. Prophesy and say to them, The Lord God proclaims to the shepherds: Doom to Israel’s shepherds who tended themselves! Shouldn’t shepherds tend the flock? You drink the milk, you wear the wool, and you slaughter the fat animals, but you don’t tend the flock. (Ezek 34:1-3 CEB)
Did God sharply condemn Israel’s national leaders as shepherds that cruelly neglect, exploit, and fail to protect the people?
You have never protected the weak ones or healed the sick ones or bandaged those that get hurt. You let them wander off and never look for those that get lost. You are cruel and mean to my sheep. They strayed in every direction, and because there was no shepherd to watch them, they were attacked and eaten by wild animals. So my sheep were scattered across the earth. They roamed on hills and mountains, without anyone even bothering to look for them. (Ezek 34:4-6 CEV)
Did God condemn national leaders for exploiting the people and leaving them neglected, abused, and scattered?
Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. (Ezek 34:7-10 ESV)
Does God promise as the Good Shepherd to find, gather, and care for His scattered, neglected people?
For this is what the Lord God says: See, I Myself will search for My flock and look for them. As a shepherd looks for his sheep on the day he is among his scattered flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a cloudy and dark day.
I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will shepherd them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the land. I will tend them with good pasture, and their grazing place will be on Israel’s lofty mountains. There they will lie down in a good grazing place; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. (Ezek 34:11-14 HCSB)
Did God promise to step in as the true Shepherd of Israel, remove evil leadership and provide justice, rest, and protection?
I will feed my sheep and give them rest,’ declares the Lord God. ‘I’m going to seek both the lost as well as the scattered, and bring them both back so their broken bones can be set and the sick can be healed. But in righteousness I’ll exterminate the fat and the stiff-necked.’
Now as for you, my flock, this is what the Lord God says: ‘Watch out! I’m going to judge between one sheep and another, and between the rams and the goats. Is it such an insignificant thing to you that you’re feeding in good pastures but trampling down the other pastures with your feet? Or that as you’re drinking from the clear streams you’re muddying the rest with your feet? My flock is grazing on what you’ve been treading down with your feet and they’re drinking what you’ve been making muddy with your feet!’ (Ezek 34:15-19 ISV)
Will God step in to judge self-serving, powerful people within the nation who mistreat and exploit the vulnerable?
Therefore thus saith the Lord God unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. (Ezek 34:20-22 KJV)
Does God promise to replace corrupt, self-serving leaders with a righteous descendant of David to care for His people?
Then I will establish over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will shepherd them; he will shepherd them himself and be their shepherd. And I, Yahweh, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I, Yahweh, have spoken. (Ezek 34:23-24 LSB)
Does God promise ultimate peace, safety, and abundance after rebuking corrupt, self-serving leaders?
And I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful animals from the land, so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing.
And I will make showers fall in their season; they will be showers of blessing. Also the tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its produce, and they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have saved them from the hand of those who enslaved them. (Ezek 34:25-27 NASB)
Does God contrast abusive human leadership with His own tender care of His people as the Good Shepherd?
They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid. I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations. Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord. (Ezek 34:28-31 NIV)
What makes Jesus stand apart from any human leadership?
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (John 10:11-15 NKJV)
How does the history of human leadership contrast with that of the Good Shepherd? You decide!
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