Ezekiel 11:15-20
“‘Well, tell them this, ‘This is your Message from GOD, the Master. True, I sent you to the far country and scattered you through other lands. All the same, I’ve provided you a temporary sanctuary in the countries where you’ve gone. I will gather you back from those countries and lands where you’ve been scattered and give you back the land of Israel. You’ll come back and clean house, throw out all the rotten images and obscene idols. I’ll give you a new heart. I’ll put a new spirit in you. I’ll cut out your stone heart and replace it with a red-blooded, firm-muscled heart. Then you’ll obey my statutes and be careful to obey my commands. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!’”
“‘Therefore, tell the exiles, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. I, the Sovereign LORD, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again.’ “When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.’”
This is one of the most beautiful promises in the Old Testament. God provides for his exiled people while in other lands. I love the words, “temporary sanctuary,” a safe haven from the confusing language and customs of a foreign land. He helped them sustain their uniqueness as people of the living God and maintain the rituals of their faith in the midst of a pagan society.
The best part of the promise follows; to exchange the outward confession of faith, observing the law, for an inward, obedient heart. It will be so lovely to be freed from my inner war between sin and righteousness. Imagine seeing the whole, true person in all I love and meet, unmarked by sin and suffering. Each one perfectly bearing the image of their creator, delighting me with more of the One I love. In this life I have a foretaste in the indwelling of God’s Spirit. In future the promise will be fully realized. Unimaginable blessing.
Lord, my heart sings in contemplation of this blessed future. Thank you for loving me, finding me, redeeming me. I am so small and broken, you so big and loving. Let me live this, speak this to others, by your power, according to your will. I am yours.