“‘But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, and I will cause many people to live on you—yes, all of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord."

Ezekiel 36:8-11

In Ezekiel 34-35, God’s answer is phrased in poetic language that addresses Mount Seir (symbolic of Edom, southeast of Israel) and the mountains of Israel (i.e., God’s people) in turn. It describes God’s punishment of the former and the restoration of the latter.

While the consequences of sin and God’s discipline may be severe, the Lord is still concerned for his people who endure shame and scorn. How much more so when Christians suffer persecution, disadvantages, and derision for no fault of their own but only because they profess Christ! We are a people not forgotten by God, even as his sinful children.

Ezekiel prophesies Israel’s renewal in the first instance as a restoration in the land, with plentiful harvest, rebuilt cities, and a growing population (36:8–12). The repeated phrase that the land will never again deprive them of their children (36:12, 13, 14) may refer to loss through famine, plague, war, or an outworking of the covenant curses on disobedient Israel. While we’re not to take God’s promise here as a guarantee of material prosperity, his restoration does involve the whole person. What amazing generosity from the Lord!

Closing Prayer

Father, I pray for our churches and their leaders that they may resist temptation and bring honor to you. Thank you for your generous grace that can restore us when we fail (edited from Encounter with God).