Ezekiel 36:33-36 -- On Ruin and Restoration

"Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it."
Ezekiel 36:33-36


This chapter is about the last days, and it is talking about cleansing the Lord's people. Verses 26-27 are great about giving us new hearts and spirits, but then in verse 32 it says "Not for your sakes I do this, saith the Lord," which made me wonder... okay, why not?, and these verses are the beginning of the answer.

God isn't saying he doesn't care about us, but his purpose here is that he wants the people outside the gospel to understand how he takes care of his people, so that they will understand and want to be part of us as well... he is trying to bring in the prodigal son. :)  They will see that the Lord can take the ruined and desolate places and people and restore them to life... turn them into the very image of perfection, like the garden of Eden.

The end of the answer is in verse 38 where God explains "... and they shall know that I am the Lord."  So much of his effort is just to get us (everyone) to realize that, to understand that he is who he says he is and that he is trying to help, lift, guide, and bless us.  Today, let's accept his love in our lives, and let's also understand his need to show love and to help the people around us, through our example.  Let's be an example of the believers and a positive force in the lives of others.