“For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:24-27)

Ezekiel prophesied God’s unilateral promise to redeem repenting Israel (Ezekiel 18:30-32), but only after they embraced their Messiah in faith, turning from their sin to serve the living God (Jeremiah 31:31). In the book of Ezekiel, the phrase “they will know I am Yahweh” is repeated 35 times to refer to punishment.

But beginning with chapter 34, Ezekiel’s tone turns from severe judgment to unilateral new covenant blessings. “They will know I am Yahweh” is repeated six times to denote Yahweh’s blessing of steadfast love (Ezekiel 34:27-30; 36:11, 38; 38:23; 39:6, 28). But don’t miss Yahweh’s reason for this deliverance—that His children would now walk in His statutes and follow His rules (36:27).

Likewise, grafted-in believing Gentiles are also recipients of these same new covenant promises (Romans 11:17). As former slaves to sin, believers in Christ become slaves to righteousness with changed hearts (Romans 11:26-27). Each day, we now awaken and pray that Yahweh would cause us to walk in obedience.

What a privilege and wonder that Yahweh states to His children, “Ye shall be my people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:28). CCM

Days of Praise Podcast is a podcast based on the Institute for Creation Research quarterly print devotional, Days of Praise. Start your day with devotional readings written by Dr. Henry Morris, Dr. Henry Morris III, Dr. John Morris, and others to strengthen and encourage you in your Christian faith.