I will seek the lost and bring back the strays; I will bandage the injured and strengthen the sick, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them—with judgment!
Ezekiel 34:16
Into the Text
Imagine being sent away to a new land with a new language, new customs, new worship, and new people. This is what happened to the people of Israel and Judah. Israel was conquered by Assyria first. Assyria was then conquered by Babylon, and Babylon conquered Judah.
While the northern kingdom of Israel was totally destroyed, God promised the southern kingdom of Judah that He would leave a faithful remnant who would follow Him wholeheartedly. He would protect them and bring them back home after seventy years.
Even though the people of Judah were far from home physically, God continued to care for His people. He raised up men and women like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Esther who found favor with the rulers of the day.
God was giving them hope in the midst of a tough season. He also promised a New Covenant in which the coming Savior would make all things new, and the people would be able to follow God with a new heart rather than merely adhering to the law outwardly.
Being on this side of the Old Testament, we are able to live out the fulfillment of God’s promise in Ezekiel 36. We are given new hearts through faith in Jesus. We can now have the hope that the people of Israel longed to see and are enabled to live fully surrendered and obedient lives by the power of God’s Spirit.
Prayer
God, thank you for being the God of all hope. Thank you for giving me a new heart that is able to love you and love others. Help me to steward my days for your name and glory. Amen.