Ezekiel 11:17-20

Ezekiel 11:17-20 (ESV): “17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ 18 And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. 19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them.”

The unconditional covenant promises of God to Abraham and David are eternal. The land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people, and the throne of David is everlasting through Christ. God never forsakes His promises.

Ezekiel received a word from the Lord about the people of Israel being restored to their land. This restoration was not because they deserved it, but because God had made an unconditional covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:2; 15:7). God promised to make Abraham a great nation and to give him and his descendants a land to possess. He also promised David that his throne would be everlasting. And here, God promises to establish a New Covenant that would provide a new Spirit and a new heart. All of these promises find their fulfillment in Christ! He is the “yes” and “amen” to all of God’s promises.

How incredible it is that we, too, are recipients of the New Covenant originally promised to the Jewish people. The promise to Abraham—that all nations would be blessed through him—points directly to the New Covenant in the Messiah, Jesus. Praise God that the Lord keeps His promises! This also means that Israel remains the rightful homeland of the Jewish people. Period.

Father, we thank You that You are a covenant-keeping God. We rest in the New Covenant and in the promise of eternal life, knowing that You are faithful to Your Word. All glory to You, we pray in Jesus’ name, amen.