Ezekiel 37:12-14
“Therefore, prophesy. Tell them, ‘GOD, the Master, says: I’ll dig up your graves and bring you out alive—O my people! Then I’ll take you straight to the land of Israel. When I dig up graves and bring you out as my people, you’ll realize that I am GOD. I’ll breathe my life into you and you’ll live. Then I’ll lead you straight back to your land and you’ll realize that I am GOD. I’ve said it and I’ll do it. GOD’s Decree.’”
“Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you To rise again. The I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord. I will put my Spirit I you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!’”
God compares the state of his people in Exile to that of a grave. Israelites considered graves nasty unclean things, defiled by dead bodies. (Numbers 19:11) They must accept they are likewise unclean if they want a new heart and to return to the land. God alone is perfect. We are dead bones beside him. No amount of animal sacrifice or rule obedience will make us good. Praise God, Jesus gives us his goodness when we place ourselves under the umbrella of his cross. It is the only way. It is also the most offensive.
Lord, thank you I can leave the shame of sin behind because you carried it on your shameful cross. Continue to make my heart new, restoring me to fullness of life with you. I want none other.