Ezekiel 11:17 “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’”
This chapter is about both judgement and restoration. The people have wandered too far from God. He has given them every opportunity to repent and return without drastic measures, but they refused. The first half of this chapter is Ezekiel prophesying about God bringing judgement, but the second part of the chapter promises the hope of God’s redemption.
Ezekiel 11:19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
What a tender, loving God that even in the midst of punishment, He provides hope. His punishment is for a purpose—return and repentance. He doesn’t want pointless pain and destruction. He doesn’t want His people hopeless.
Ezekiel 11:20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
Lord, You are much more nuanced than my childhood memories ever gave You credit for. Thank You for Your complexity. Thank You for Your compassion. Thank You for Your fierce love and boundless hope. Draw me closer. Amen.
Ezekiel 11:21 But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Have a blessed day.