Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:22-28)
Ezekiel was a prophet of God in the Old Testament. The prophecy of Ezekiel 36:22-28 was given around 592 BC, about 600 years before Christ became a human child on earth and more than 2,500 years from the current conflicts we see in Israel now. Ezekiel prophesied why God would protect and fulfill His promises to Israel. God said: “I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.” This prophet told Israel that God would restore them, not because of their goodness, but because God is a Covenant Keeper!
The covenant God initiated with Abraham remains strong and true, despite the shortcomings of God's chosen people. God, in His mercy, orchestrated a regathering of His people, fulfilling the promise of restoration to their homeland and a cleansing that goes beyond the physical to the spiritual, purifying the hearts and minds of His people. He promised to remove calloused, rebellious hearts and replace them with hearts sensitive to His leading.
Practical Application
Reflect on the power of God's covenant—a covenant based on those who trust in His name. The promises of renewal, redemption, and restoration are just as true for us as it is for the people of Israel. God has a plan to renew and restore those who are in covenant with Him.