# 02 2016 Devotional Ezekiel 11:19-20 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Ezekiel 11:19-20
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them: I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”
Ezekiel is known as the prophet of doom, telling about the judgment of Israel and other nations but he also foretells God’s grace and salvation for his people(Ch.33 -34). While Jeremiah predicts the exile, Ezekiel is taken into exile and prophesies from Babylon. Chapter 11 is about judgment but verses 16 -25 is about God’s promise to return the people to the land. This is the “Promised Land” v. 15, no self respecting Israeli wants to be away from the land. This still goes on today, many Jew are returning to the land of Israel and some Christians promote and encourage this return with prayer and funds as if this prophecy is still being fulfilled. It has been fulfilled and ended with the return of the exiles from Babylon beginning in 538 BC.
This prophecy is a sign and a for-shadowing of what is to come with the covenant of Jesus’ blood. This pericope Eze. 11:16-25 has three layers of meaning that become clear from verses 19-20.
First, Ezekiel indeed speaks of the returning exiles from Babylon, verses 16-25 that has been fulfilled.
The second level of meaning, while applying to the returning exiles, also points to the coming of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Verse 19 speaks of an undivided heart, a new Spirit and I will replace their heart of stone with a heart of flesh (II Cor 3:2-6). That has begun to be fulfilled but not yet complete.
The third level of meaning, while applying to the returning exiles, also points to the New Heaven and the New Earth. Verse 20 peaks about God’s precepts carefully kept and “They will be my people, and I will be their God” He is our God completely now but still in limited scope (see Rev 21:3-5) and not yet complete. I am sure you have heard the saying: “The New Testament is in the Old contained and the Old Testament is in the New explained” something to keep in mind as we apply God’s Word to our lives. Praise Him!
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