Israel Restored to the Land

Ezekiel 39:17–29
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God tells Ezekiel that He is going to hold a feast on Israel’s mountains and offer sacrifices there (vv. 17-20). He tells him to invite all the birds and wilds animals to come from every direction and eat the meat of the sacrifices and drink the blood (v. 17). He says the birds and animals will feast on the bodies of warriors and foreign rulers and that He will sacrifice them like sheep, goats, and bulls (v. 18). He wants the birds and animals to eat until they are full and drink until they are drunk (v. 19), He states that thy will come to His table and stuff themselves with the flesh of horses and warriors of every kind (v. 20).

Details of God’s purpose in His dealings with Israel are listed in the outline of these verses (vv. 21-29). They are: to show His glory among the nations (v. 21); a deliverance from the king of the north (v. 22); the nations observing God’s purpose of chastening Israel (vv. 23-24); then the nations observing Israel’s regathering (vv. 25-28); and the regeneration of Israel (v. 29). It should be noted that Israel will be saved by God’s mercy, not by their merit; for the Lord will regather Israel for His name’s sake. The regathering of Israel will be one of the great demonstrations of God’s power. As Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was in the past, and the resurrection of Christ from the grave is for the present, so Israel’s regathering and regeneration in the future will eternally magnify the Lord.

Application

As I look back over my life I can remember things that I allowed to creep in that made some stains and brought embarrassment to me. I am so glad that God, through no merit of my own but by His mercy, still provided salvation for me through His Son’s death on the cross of Calvary.