Ezekiel 37

Are any of us discouraged? Do we feel spiritually dead? Does our church seem dry and lifeless? Then let us take heart. God can do for us and our churches what He did for those dry bones; He can turn us into an army once more.

One Nation Under one King (37:15–28)

15–23 Ezekiel is next instructed to take two sticks and join them together so that they become one. The first stick represents Judah (the southern kingdom) and the second stick represents Ephraim⁸² (Israel, the northern kingdom). The nation of Israel had been divided into northern and southern kingdoms following the death of Solomon over three centuries earlier(1Kings 12:1–24). Now Ezekiel acts out a prophecy to show the exiles that one day these two kingdoms would be reunited once more—this time under one king, God’s servant David (verses 22,24). Thus Ezekiel’s message in this chapter is not just that Israel will be restored but that it will be restored as one united nation (see Jeremiah 3:18).

Furthermore, when Israel is restored it will be cleansed of its idolatry and other impurities (Ezekiel 36:25); the Israelites will no longer defile themselves (verse 23). Therefore, God will be pleased to accept them as His people, and He will agree to be their God and dwell among them (verse 27). A holy God will only dwell among a holy people.⁸³

24–28 In these verses the Lord repeats some of the promises He has already made in previous chapters (see Ezekiel 34:20–31; 36:24–38). He will appoint a king-His servant David, the Messiah (verse 24)—to rule over the restored Israel (see Ezekiel 34:23). The Israelites will live in their land forever and the Messiah will be their prince forever (verse 25); this affirms the promise God made to David centuries earlier that his kingdom would endure forever (see 2 Samuel 7:12–17 and comment).

In verse 26, God says He will make a covenant of peace with the Israelites (see Ezekiel 34:25); it will be an everlasting covenant (see Ezekiel 16:60). It will be a “new covenant” (see Jeremiah 31:31–34 and comment).

But there is a new promise given here in verses 27–28: God will establish His dwelling place—His sanctuary—among His restored people. He had allowed His former sanctuary (the temple in Jerusalem) to be destroyed; now He promises that there will be a new sanctuary that will be among His people forever. This new sanctuary will be the subject of Chapters 40–48.