Eze.36:1-38, Complete Restoration (New Heart Transplantation by the Ho…

Eze.36:1-38, Complete Restoration (New Heart Transplantation by the Holy Spirit)

 God is the One who completely restores after judgment. The text promises that God, who judged Israel, will restore the land and people of Israel and completely restore them through a new heart transplantation.

1. Restoration of the Land (1-15): From Desolation to Life
 The Israelites sinned and incurred God's wrath. As a result, they were taken captive to Babylon, and the land (mountains) and the temple were desolate and became a target of plunder and ridicule for foreign nations(2-5). The surrounding nations looked upon the desolation and despised and slandered them. However, God promises restoration for Israel. "For you have been put to shame"(6-7). He promises, "You will be together again, plowed and planted, and the fruit will be abundant and the people will multiply." This means that beyond physical restoration, there will be mental and spiritual restoration, and God's presence and blessings will come again.
*Application: There are desolations and mockery in our lives too. Sometimes it may be due to our faults or sins. However, God knows our circumstances and restores us for His name and glory. Do not be discouraged. God can restore our desolate hearts and the foundation of our lives.

2. Restoration of God’s Name(16-24): From Blasphemy to Holiness
 Because of their sins, Israel’s covenant relationship with God was broken and they were destroyed, and God was  blasphemed His holy name. As they were scattered among the nations, the land they lived in was defiled by their sins (17). They were ridiculed as “these are the people of the Lord, but they have left His land”(20). However, God was sorry for the holy name that the Israelites had defiled(21). The restoration that will now be given is not for Israel, but only for His holy name and glory(24).
*Application: As Christians, we live with God’s name. Our words, actions, and lifestyles can either glorify God’s name or, on the contrary, dishonor it. Am I not a loser to God’s name and glory, and am I becoming a virtuous person? How should I live?

3. Restoration of the new Spirit and a new heart(25-38): From disobedience to complete obedience
 The people had stubborn hearts. God washes away our sins and fundamentally resolves this problem. “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols”(25).    Furthermore, “I will give you a new heart and put the new Spirit within you. I will take away the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh”(26). He removes the hard heart of stone that could not keep the law and gives a soft heart like flesh that can obey the word of God. This is an amazing internal change that is brought about by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God dwells in believers, enabling them to keep and obey the word(27).

 Ultimately, Israel achieves complete restoration with the help of God(the Holy Spirit). The covenant relationship with God is also restored, and they become noble as the people of God. All the land will be restored and become like the Garden of Eden, and the people will be completely restored with a new heart and a gentle heart in their God.

4. Application Questions: What areas of my life are devastated and in need of restoration? Has God’s name been defiled by my sins or wrongdoings? Do I have a “hard heart” right now? Do I want the Holy Spirit to operate on me with a new heart right now? Then what should I do?
Now, I pray that we all truly repent before the God of restoration and experience complete restoration and inner change as disciples of Jesus and blessed people who undergo the operation of a new heart through the Holy Spirit.

5. Prayer: Loving God, thank you for helping us realize the amazing grace of your restoration through your Word. Please have mercy on our lives that have been devastated by our sins and weaknesses. Not for our sake, but only for your holy name’s sake, cleanse us, and new Spirit(God), operate on us with a new heart. So, let us keep the word of the Lord and live as a holy people whom the Lord is pleased with. Through all these things, let only God, the nation, and the church be glorified. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.