For the Glory of His Name

Read Ezekiel 36:22-32

English Standard Version Chapter 36

22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.

23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.

24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.

25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you.

30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations.

31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations.

32 It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.

Summary of opening of chapter:

The Lord promises that the land will be inhabited by Israel again after his judgment is complete.

The land will be peaceful, and no longer will it swallow those who inhabit it in death. Nations surrounding what was once Canaan knew that a long and bloody history covered that land

The enemies of Israel who had profaned God’s name after seeing the judgment of Israel would experience his wrath. Rather than understanding that Israel’s sin had been judged by a righteous God, they believed God was either too weak to protect his people, or merely throwing a cosmic temper tantrum. The commited the sin of “blaspheming the holy spirit”, accusing God’s power and action of being evil.

A review of Israel’s sins that had led to judgement. Their wickedness in idol worship (spiritual adultery) and the blood they spilt in their evil pursuits (spiritual uncleaness like that of menstruation)

God’s name was dishonored by the appearance of the deported remnant of Israel. The unbelieving nations saw them in distress after they had boasted of the holiness and strength of their God. Their wicked lifestyle was in direct opposition to holiness, and their defeat at the hands of enemy nations seemed to indicate that God was weak and He did not keeps his promises.

The Lord acts to Glorify His Name (Eze. 36:22-24, 32)

In creation

The universe (Gen. 1-2)

The nation of Israel (Isa. 43:7, 1 Chron. 16, Psa. 22:23)

The Church of Christ (Mt. 5:16 Mt. 16:18, 1 Cor. 10:31, Eph. 3:21)

In Judgment

The Fall of Man (Gen 3:1-19)

The Judgment of Egypt (Ex. 7:1-7)

The multiple judgments against Israel (Judges, The Exile)

In Redemption

Leading them out of Egypt

Repeatedly rescuing Israel from it’s enemies

The final redemption through Christ

God’s name is magnified through both wrath and grace (Eze. 32:28-31)

His just wrath in pouring out judgement for sin displays his righteous and holy nature

His grace and mercy to forbear and forgive sin displays His loving nature, even in the midst of disobedience and rebellion

God accomplishes our redemption by restoring our image (Eze. 25-27)

We become what we worship (Rom. 1:22-23)

All humans are depraved - worshipping man leaves us more depraved than we already are.

All creatures lack a spiritual and moral nature - worshipping creatures leaves us without spiritual life or a moral life

All idols are made of dead materials like stone - worshipping dead idols without a beating heart turns ours to stone as well

As dead beings, a living God must give us new life.

We require cleansing with living water to purify the deadly infection of sin. (John 4:14)

We require a new heart, bound to worship a living God (Psalm 51:10, 2 Cor. 5:17-19, Jer. 31:33)

We require a new spirit, breathed into us to animate us to holiness (John 16:7-11, Acts 2:1-5)