Ezekial 36:24-28
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. – Ezekial 36:26
Click to Read
During the time of the prophet Ezekiel, the people of Israel rebelled against the Lord; even the temple was defiled, seriously violating the holy covenant. This triggered the covenant curse: Moses had warned them, “When you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you” (Leviticus 18:28). Therefore, because of their sins, the people were driven out of their homeland and taken captive to Babylon. Even the holy city Jerusalem could not escape destruction. What grieved the prophet most was that the glory of God gradually departed from the people and from Jerusalem.
While in a foreign land, facing a hopeless situation, the prophet declared the word of God:
“For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.” (v.24)
To the exiled people, this was almost unbelievable. One day, they would be set free and return from captivity; one day, God would once again lead them back to the promised land. The return that the prophet proclaimed here was not merely political or geographical, but a spiritual renewal. Yet before that, God would do a marvellous work among them—to build them up, restore them, and make them once again His people.
1. Cleansing
“I will sprinkle clean water on you… and you will be clean from all your impurities and from all your idols.” (v.25)
2. A New Heart “I will give you a new heart… remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (v.26)
In Hebrew culture, the “heart” includes one’s thoughts, will, and emotions—it is the deepest part of a person’s being. A “heart of stone” refers to a hard, dull, and indifferent heart. A “new heart” or “heart of flesh” refers to a soft heart that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The prophet declared that God would perform this heart-transplant work in His people, giving them a new heart that could respond to His love.
3. The Giving of the Spirit “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (v.27)
4. Restored Relationship “…You will be my people, and I will be your God.” (v.28)
Aren’t these four steps foretold by the prophet all fulfilled in Jesus Christ? This “change of heart” can only happen when the Spirit of God enters a person’s life and begins to transform them from the inside out. This is the work of the Holy Spirit—it is the promise of being “born again.” As the Lord Jesus said in the Gospel of John: “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5)
Being born again is not through human effort, but completely through God’s power. The restoration promised by the prophet is the new creation in Christ. Only when we receive the Spirit from the Lord can our hardened, dull, and cold hearts be softened and made sensitive by the love of Christ. Then we become willing to change and to respond to God. Only those who open themselves to allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within can truly confess Jesus Christ as Lord—our Father, our God.
Through the redemption of Jesus Christ, the relationship between God and humankind is restored. Through His redemption, we can enter the kingdom of God and become His true children.
Reflection:
Let us examine our hearts and reflect on our actions. Am I still walking in disobedience? Or am I willing to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit within me and live a life that pleases God?
Prayer:
Lord who gives us new life, when I am unwilling to obey, may Your Spirit help and change me. Remove my hard and rebellious heart, and thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit, so that within me there may once again be a right spirit—able to respond to Your love and truly be Your child. In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Click to Read
During the time of the prophet Ezekiel, the people of Israel rebelled against the Lord; even the temple was defiled, seriously violating the holy covenant. This triggered the covenant curse: Moses had warned them, “When you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you” (Leviticus 18:28). Therefore, because of their sins, the people were driven out of their homeland and taken captive to Babylon. Even the holy city Jerusalem could not escape destruction. What grieved the prophet most was that the glory of God gradually departed from the people and from Jerusalem.
While in a foreign land, facing a hopeless situation, the prophet declared the word of God:
“For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.” (v.24)
To the exiled people, this was almost unbelievable. One day, they would be set free and return from captivity; one day, God would once again lead them back to the promised land. The return that the prophet proclaimed here was not merely political or geographical, but a spiritual renewal. Yet before that, God would do a marvellous work among them—to build them up, restore them, and make them once again His people.
1. Cleansing
“I will sprinkle clean water on you… and you will be clean from all your impurities and from all your idols.” (v.25)
2. A New Heart “I will give you a new heart… remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (v.26)
In Hebrew culture, the “heart” includes one’s thoughts, will, and emotions—it is the deepest part of a person’s being. A “heart of stone” refers to a hard, dull, and indifferent heart. A “new heart” or “heart of flesh” refers to a soft heart that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The prophet declared that God would perform this heart-transplant work in His people, giving them a new heart that could respond to His love.
3. The Giving of the Spirit “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (v.27)
4. Restored Relationship “…You will be my people, and I will be your God.” (v.28)
Aren’t these four steps foretold by the prophet all fulfilled in Jesus Christ? This “change of heart” can only happen when the Spirit of God enters a person’s life and begins to transform them from the inside out. This is the work of the Holy Spirit—it is the promise of being “born again.” As the Lord Jesus said in the Gospel of John: “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5)
Being born again is not through human effort, but completely through God’s power. The restoration promised by the prophet is the new creation in Christ. Only when we receive the Spirit from the Lord can our hardened, dull, and cold hearts be softened and made sensitive by the love of Christ. Then we become willing to change and to respond to God. Only those who open themselves to allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within can truly confess Jesus Christ as Lord—our Father, our God.
Through the redemption of Jesus Christ, the relationship between God and humankind is restored. Through His redemption, we can enter the kingdom of God and become His true children.
Reflection:
Let us examine our hearts and reflect on our actions. Am I still walking in disobedience? Or am I willing to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit within me and live a life that pleases God?
Prayer:
Lord who gives us new life, when I am unwilling to obey, may Your Spirit help and change me. Remove my hard and rebellious heart, and thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit, so that within me there may once again be a right spirit—able to respond to Your love and truly be Your child. In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.