Ezekiel 39

Scripture

Ezekiel 39:7, 25-29

I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel.....Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.””

Observation-What does it say?

God is saying through Ezekiel that He will take justice against Gog and bury Gog in order to cleanse the nation of Israel. Although God was dealing with the uncleanliness of the nation of Israel, specifically speaking (in this chapter) of taking justice against Gog and burying Gog in order to cleanse that nation, He also spoke about restoring them back to Himself. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.” Hebrews‬ ‭8:12-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This chapter shows the picture of God cleansing a nation, similar to what He did when he sent the flood. However, after the cleansing period, there is a restorative and rebuilding period where He forgets the past and former sin and the nation moves on with the Spirit leading the way.

Life Application

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What do we need to do today to make sure we are in a restorative and rebuilding phase, led by the Holy Spirit instead of falling victim to our past mistakes or the past mistakes done to us? Leave the past behind. Our past does not define who we are and we are not victims of our circumstances. It is the choices we make today and moving forward that count. 

Dear Lord, I pray we would be people who forgive from our heart and don't allow the bitterness and hurt of the past to define our lives in the future. I pray we would be led by Your Spirit instead of our flesh. I pray for a cleansing in our hearts, mind and body in order to experience the joy and peace of your restorative power whether that be in marriage, with our parents, in relationships with brothers and sisters Christ or even our relationship with ourselves. Amen.

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-Michelle Gaddi