Restoration and Revival of Israel: The Nation of God Prophecy-Ezekiel 36-37

The Restoration of the Nation of God Israel - Prophesied in Ezekiel 36-37

Physical Rejuvenation of the Land and Spiritual Renewal of the People

Ezekiel 36, 37 prophesy the comprehensive restoration of Israel, covering both physical rejuvenation of the land and spiritual renewal of the people.

God's Promise to the Mountains of Israel: From Desolation to Flourishing

God addresses the mountains of Israel, promising that the desolate, ruined land will be inhabited again, crops will flourish, and the reproach of surrounding nations will end.

Need For Restoration - Spiritual Cleansing and A New Heart (Ezekiel 36:16-32)

Why Israel Was Scattered: Sin and Pollution of the Promised Land (36:17-19)

Israel was displaced from the Promised Land because of sin. (36:17-19) Due to Israel polluting the land, they were scattered. God promises to gather them, bring the exiled Israelites back, sprinkle clean water on them and cleanse them, replace their "stony hearts" with "hearts of flesh" through His Spirit in them, so they may follow His laws, and rebuild ruined cities to prosper once more.

Two Reasons For Restoration

1- To punish the foes of Israel (Ezekiel 36:1-7)

2- To vindicate the Holy Name of God (Ezekiel 36:20-23)

Vision Explaining Restoration - Valley of Dry Bones - Understanding Ezekiel 37:1-14

What Do the Dry Bones Represent? The Whole House of Israel

In a vision, Ezekiel sees a valley of dry bones, representing the "whole House of Israel". 

God Commands and Ezekiel Prophesies -  37:7-8

God commands him to prophesy: Ezekiel speaks to a valley filled with dried bones (37:1-6)

In response, the bones join together and are covered with flesh (37:7-8)

The Breath of Life Enters: A Vast Army Stands (37:9-14)

He speaks again and the breath of life enters their bones and their bodies, which then live and stand as a "vast army"...

Ezekiel Prophesies - National Revival of Israel Through God's Spirit

..symbolizing the national revival of Israel. (37:9-14)

Symbol of Restoration - The Two Sticks Prophecy: Reunification of Judah and Israel (Ezekiel 37:15-28)

God instructed Ezekiel to join two sticks- Ezekiel carves the name Judah on one stick and Ephraim on another (37:15-16) - representing the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel into one, symbolizing the unification of the nation under a single Davidic shepherd/king. 

He then holds both sticks in one hand indicating God would someday reunite all twelve tribes (37:17-20)

Results of Restoration - What God Promises -Repopulation and Recognition

Restored Land Will Resemble Garden of Eden

The nations will know that the Lord has rebuilt the ruins. The population will increase like a, flock, and God will be inquired of to bring this to pass.

Ten Covenant Blessings for Restored Israel (Ezekiel 36-37)

Israel will...

once again become God's people (36:28; 37:27)

be sprinkled with clear water (36:25)

be indwelt with the Holy Spirit (36:27)

be given new hearts (36:26)

have a new Temple (37:26,28)

be ruled over by David (37:24)

be justified among the nations (36:30)

have abundant crops (36:29-30, 34-36)

repopulate Jerusalem and other waste cities (36:38) 

occupy the Holy Land forever (37:25)

The New Jerusalem: God's Restoration Plan for Today

Heaven Coming Down to Earth: The Ultimate Restoration

How Ezekiel's Prophecy Points to the New Jerusalem

God is setting up the earth right now for the New Jerusalem to come down and for heaven to now be on earth.

"I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked"  Just as God promised to restore Israel and walk among His people in Ezekiel 37:27—"My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people"—we can walk in the footsteps of Jesus today. This beloved hymn, " I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked," beautifully captures the longing to follow Christ's path and experience His presence in our daily lives.

For a deeper study of the valley of dry bones vision - read the complete exposition: One Kingdom, One King Forevermore ~ Ezekiel 37