Ezekiel 36:28

Commentary on Ezekiel 36:28 (KJV)

Ezekiel 36:28 is a profound promise of restoration and renewed covenant relationship, spoken by God through the prophet Ezekiel to the exiled Israelites. It encapsulates the culmination of God's redemptive plan for His people after a period of judgment.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Ezekiel 36, which details God's promise to restore Israel from their dispersion among the nations. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 36:24-27) describe God's active role in bringing them back to their land, cleansing them from their idolatry, and giving them a new heart and a new spirit. This spiritual transformation, enabled by God's Spirit, would allow them to obey His laws. Ezekiel 36:28 serves as the glorious outcome of this divine intervention: a restored people in their promised land, living in a renewed covenant relationship with their God. The people had been removed from the land due to their unfaithfulness, and this prophecy looks forward to a future where God's faithfulness triumphs over their sin.

Key Themes

• Restoration to the Land: The phrase "ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers" reiterates God's enduring promise to Abraham and his descendants concerning the land of Israel. It signifies a physical homecoming after the Babylonian exile and a permanent dwelling in the place of their heritage. This promise traces back to Genesis 12:7 and represents the fulfillment of ancient covenants.
• Renewed Covenant Relationship: The core of the verse, "and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God," is a foundational covenant formula found throughout Scripture. It expresses an intimate, exclusive, and mutual relationship between God and His chosen people. Though Israel had broken the old covenant through their disobedience, God, by His grace, promises to re-establish this relationship, signifying a new era of divine faithfulness and human obedience, often associated with the new covenant.
• Divine Faithfulness: This verse powerfully underscores God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His people, even when they have been unfaithful. His intent to restore and renew is driven by His own holy name and His desire to display His glory among the nations.

Linguistic Insights

The declaration, "ye shall be my people, and I will be your God" (Hebrew: 'ammi tihyu, w'ani 'Elohim lakem), is a recurring formula throughout the Old Testament, first appearing explicitly in Leviticus 26:12. It signifies the very essence of the covenant relationship: God's ownership and protection, and the people's devotion and obedience. This phrase is ultimately fulfilled in the New Testament with the establishment of the new covenant through Christ, where believers become part of God's spiritual family, and God truly dwells among them, as echoed in Revelation 21:3.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 36:28 offers profound hope and insight:

• God's Enduring Grace: It reminds us that God's faithfulness transcends our failures. Even when we stumble, His promises remain firm, and He desires to restore us to a right relationship with Him.
• Spiritual Dwelling: While the physical land promise was specific to Israel, the spiritual reality of dwelling "in the land" can be understood as finding rest and security in Christ. Through Him, we are brought into God's presence and given a spiritual inheritance.
• Identity in Christ: The promise "ye shall be my people, and I will be your God" finds its ultimate fulfillment for believers in Christ. Through faith, we are adopted into God's family, becoming His children, and He becomes our Heavenly Father. This new identity is a gift of grace, leading to a life of worship and obedience, as we live out the new creation reality in Christ.