REASSURANCE AND RESTORATION
Ezekiel 34-37

Introduction:     God plans a full restoration for His repentant people. Israel will eventually come to her senses and turn from independence to humility and dependence on God. Ezekiel reveals three aspects of God’s character that provide hope for Israel . In His restoration of Israel , we also see the pattern He uses to restore us individually.

I.          THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERD (Chapters 34-35)

Verses 1-10 describe the failure of Israel ’s leadership. Once God removes them from their role, they will need a caring and competent shepherd. God will take this responsibility.

            A.        He Leads (34:11-13a)

Through personal interaction.

·        The Lord must rescue the sheep (v.11).

·        He will lead them back from captivity. He will not scrap His covenant with them for it was based on His character and promise.

            B.         He Satisfies (34:13b-16)

The Good Shepherd will return His sheep to the land.

·        They will lie down in safety (v.15)

·        He will minister to the injured and nourish the weak.

·        He will judge the oppressors.

            C.        He Brings Justice (34:17-22; 25)

One judgment will be between the sheep and the other between the sheep and the goats (v.17). When God gathers His people He will sort them out. The character of the sheep reveals their true nature. Those who have hurt and oppressed the people will face judgment. Some are the evil shepherds (leaders) of Israel ; others are the nations that oppressed Israel .

·        The judgment will take place after the tribulation. God will deliver Israel from all predators national and foreign (v.22).

·        Chapter 35 the Lord chose Edom as a representative of all opposing nations. When God restores Israel , He will judge the nations based on their treatment of Israel using the pattern of Edom .

            D.        He Brings Security (34:23-31)

The Lord will provide security so that His people may dwell in peace. The shepherd He set over them will meet all their needs. The name “David” stands for the son of David, Jesus. He is the shepherd of the downtrodden Who will protect the weak. As David did, Jesus will tend the flock.

·        He promises peace (vv.25-28)

·        Brings changes in the conditions of the earth. Famine will be a thing of the past (v.29)

·        As the Messianic King of the nations, He will supply the leadership they lacked and satisfy them completely.

II.         THE LORD IS OUR HOPE (Chapter 36)

            A.        Reversal Of Fortunes (36:1-15)

God’s judgment devastated the land making it uninhabited.

·        Other nations gossiped about the one powerful nation (36:3)

·        They plundered and ridiculed the land (36:4)

·        God’s promise to restore the land (36:13-15) – The people will return. Most importantly, God will restore the nation’s testimony.

            B.         Renewal Of Heart (36:16-37)

The reversal of fortune is only the beginning. The nations misunderstood God judging His people and thought He was weak. Notice the steps God will take to restore His people and His reputation.

·        He will remove them from captivity and replace them in the Promised Land (v.24).

·        He will regenerate them. He will cleanse them and give them a new heart (vv.25-26). (Note: 1Cor.10:32)

·        He will place the Holy Spirit in them (v.27)

·        He will restore their prosperity (v.28)

Jeremiah calls this the “new covenant” (Jer.31:31-34). As King Jesus rules from the throne in Jerusalem during the coming Millennium, the earth will be restored to conditions like the Garden of Eden (36:35). This new covenant provides an example of God’s faithfulness and grace. He will restore Israel because He has promised to do so. He will renew them because of His grace. Verse 38 signals the fulfillment of God’s great desire for His people.

III.       THE LORD IS OUR LIFE (Chapter 37)

With the possible exception of the “wheel in the wheel” of Chapter 1, this is the most well known section of Ezekiel. Ezekiel’s words paint a picture of the assembling of a great army. We see the whole vision before he gives the interpretation. “Can these bones live?” Our new life in Christ and Israel ’s new life in the Millennium will be no less amazing.

            A.        Spiritual Life (37:1-10)

·        Two Superlatives – very many and very dry.

·        The Question – “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel had learned that God was not limited but from a human perspective this would be impossible.

·        The Message – The prophet preached the message God had directed and with just a pile of bones to work with God began the impossible.

o       First a noise – bones rattling together to form skeletons.

o       Next, full bodies were formed out to the skin.

o       Now only one thing was lacking. LIFE! And God supplied the breath.

·        Eph. 2:1-10 – God raised us from death to life. If not for the rich and free grace of God we all would still be dead.

God began His work in us at our point of need. We lacked life and He supplied it. As with the Church so will it be with Israel . In the face of such a wonderful truth, we should give ourselves wholly to serve Him.

            B.         National Life (37:11-14)

God promised to bring spiritual life to His people, but He also promised to restor their national life.

Conclusion:       Since God is our Shepherd, He will guide and protect us. Since God is our Avenger, He will correct the wrongs done against us. Since God is our Life, He will transform us inwardly for fellowship with Him.