Magnificent Promise

Series: Changes

Ezekiel 36:24-28 MSG

Hebrews 8:10 ESV

The Prophet Ezekiel hit the stage in Israel during the 6th Century Century B.C. at a very difficult time for his people. A good portion of Israel had been captured and taken into exile to Babylon. Generally speaking King Nebuchadnezzar II marched on Israel and captured the brightest and the best and took them to Babylon. Ezekiel was taken with the first group in 597 B.C.

Even though the diaspora or scattering was bad, there was hope for the Hebrew people. Ezekiel was a prophet and a priest in Babylon and Ezekiel had visions and dreams that pointed toward restoration and hope for Israel. For example, it was Ezekiel who ‘saw’ the dry bones and prophesied they would come to life (Ezekiel 37:1-10).

Others who were captured and taken to Babylon were Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel (605 B.C.). Those taken to Babylon were the wealthy, talented craftsmen, and priests. They were taken to serve the Babylonian Empire.

The Babylonian Exile lasted approximately 70 years and those still living were allowed to return to Israel.

In Ezekiel 36:24-28 the prophet foretold, “For here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to take you out of these countries, gather you from all over, and bring you back to your own land. I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!”

The change for Israel (both for those who were taken into captivity and for those who stayed in Israel) was very difficult.

In 538 B.C.E. When the Persians under Cyrus the great took over, the Jews were allowed to return to Israel. However many who were older knew they could not survive the journey so they stayed in Babylon and never saw their homeland again.

Later, a new covenant was described in Hebrews 8:10, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Jesus paid the price for the New Covenant.

The new covenant was one of love, grace, and mercy provided by the sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God.

This covenant was for all and forever.

Through Jesus, Deborah

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