(Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study.)
Chapters 36-39
Chapter 36 — Past sins must be judged and forgiven.
Verses 1-7 – More than any other nation, the Edomites hated Israel. They,
as well as the Amonites, the Moabites and the Phillistines laid claim to the
country. But God had given the country to Israel and proclaimed that it would
be theirs. They would be treated as they had treated Israel. (Matthew 7:1)
Verses 8-12 – God promises that when Israel is returned to the country,
they will prosper.
Verses 13-15 – The world continues to hate the Jews. But when Lord completes his plan to bring his people home to Israel,
all this will stop. At that future time, they will no longer suffer shame.
Verses 16-23 – Israel had spoiled
their country and worshiped false gods. God would bring them back in order to
reveal His character of forgiveness to them and to exalt His holy name. God
does not show His loving kindness because people deserve it. Those who sin
against God deserve eternal death. But God forgives those who turn to Him
through Christ.
Verses 24-38 – Here is God’s promise of a glorious future for Israel:
Israel shall be restored, redeemed, and the land shall become like the Garden
of Eden. He promises to put a new heart in Israel (verse 26). “A new heart” is equivalent to being “born
again.” It is a reference to the New
Covenant in which God’s word will be written on His people’s hearts.
Chapter 37 Resurrection of Israel
Verses 1-4 – In a vision, Ezekiel is taken to a valley of dry bones. The
bones are identified as “the whole house of Israel” (verse 11).
Verses 5-10 – Note the three stages of development of the bones: (1)
Scattered and very dry (verse 2); (2) They come together and covered with flesh,
but without life, only corpses (verse 8) and (3) Life comes into the dead
bodies by God’s breath (Genesis 2:7). In Ezekiel’s day, Israel was scattered
and dry. In our day, Israel has become a nation (1948) — with no spiritual
life, but a national entity. In the future, Israel will turn back to God. Also
the Old Testament saints will be raised for the Millennium.
Verses 12-14 – God says, “I will open your graves. I will cause
you to come up out of your graves. Then I will bring you, my people, into the
country called Israel. Then, my people, you will know that I am the LORD.
You will know this when I open your graves. I will bring you up from your
graves. Does
this bring to your mind what will happen in the rapture?
verses 15-28 — The two sticks typify the northern and southern kingdoms
which will again become one nation. David will be raised to rule over it (verse
24). From the line of David will come Messiah.
Chapter 38
Verses 1- 16 – Gog was the leader of Magog. He will make plans to annihilate
Israel. Many others have planned to do the same. God promises, however, that He
will provide for Israel (and the rest of creation). Gog will attack Israel and
the world will know that the Lord God is holy. He will defeat Gog.
Verses 17-23 – Gog will be destroyed by earthquakes, diseases, strange
weather, ice and fire with sulfur. This is a picture of what will happen to
Satan’s domain, the world in the end times. Does it look anything like the
world today?
Chapter 39
Verses 1-10 – People who are against Israel are enemies of the Lord.
Verses 11-20 – Israel will clear dead bodies from the country and will
make it clean again.
Verses 21-39 – The main purpose God has is to show forth His glory. The
fullness of God’s glory is manifested in the person of Jesus, Christ, the
Messiah.
In the end, those who trust in, and only in, the finished work of Christ
at the cross of Calvary will live forever in the presence of God. God will
restore Israel and He will restore anyone who will turn to Him in repentance
and in faith, believing in His gift of salvation.
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