I WILL 1

The Book of Ezekiel was written about 600-650 years before Christ. Israel has many ups-and-downs and this book was written while they were in Babylonian Captivity/Exile. Much is written about the condition concerning Jerusalem and the Israelites and their idolatry. Then in chapter 34 there are fifteen ‘I will’s’ telling of what the Lord ‘will do’ in restoration for the Israelites.

After this in Ezekiel 36, the prophet introduces what will be required for the promises to be fulfilled:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances. You will live in the land that I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:26-28).

The Lord announces through the prophet that a rescue is coming. ‘A new heart and a new spirit.’ There is promise of removing the ‘heart of stone’ that obeys a law of stone and giving a ‘heart of flesh’ that will be filled with the Holy Spirit of God (36:27). A new heart for ‘newness of life’ (Romans 6:4).
A heart filled with grace and freedom.
(To be continued)

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” Jesus