Ezekiel 36

2 the ancient high places. Or, “everlasting heights”: cp. Gen. xlix. 26; Deut. xxxiii. 15.

3 an infamy. “An evil report,” R.V. “La moquerie du peuple” (French version).

8 shall shoot forth your branches, etc. As though inanimate Nature held out a hand of greeting to welcome the Return. “Israel,” as in other passages of the prophecy, includes the whole covenant people.

13. Thou [land] devourest up men. The position of the land of Canaan between the great continents and monarchies of Asia and Africa, was highly advantageous to a nation which enjoyed Jehovah’s favour and protection, but peculiarly dangerous if these were withdrawn.

VERS. 16-38. In this section Ezekiel is instructed to remind the people of their continued sins, which show that the restoration promised is entirely undeserved (17-21); and to tell them that, as they have profaned God’s name by their sins, He will glorify it by connecting their return to holiness with renewed prosperity (22, 23). He will therefore give them His Spirit to soften and purify their hearts.

20 they profaned My holy name. That is, they caused it to be profaned; even to be blasphemed, through the wickedness of those who bore it: see Rom. ii. 24. “These,” said the heathen, “are the people of Jahveh,” regarding Him as a national god, and attributing to Him a character like that of “His people.”

25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you. An allusion to the methods of purification under the law: see Numb. xix.

37. I will yet for this be inquired of. Cp. xiv. 3. There was a moral state of the people in which

God would not be “inquired of” by them. Now He welcomes their approach, as one result of the “new heart” and “new spirit”; teaching them the further lesson that the people must seek by earnest prayer for the fulfilment of the promise, if they would enjoy it. This suggests a reason why the Jews were not more prosperous after their return from Babylon, and why the Church of Christ is still so depressed.

38 the holy flock (Heb., “flock of holy things”). The animals designed for sacrifice.