Eze 36:16 | KingComments | STEP | The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel ( ). The LORD reminds him of the time Israel lived in their land and what they did then ( ). Their ways they have gone and their deeds they have done are clearly before Him. They have defiled themselves, so He has had to treat them like a woman who is a secluded one because of her uncleanness. This means that He has had to break off dealings with this people ( ). Instead of being able to show His love to the people, He had to pour out His wrath on them ( ). They caused it by their violence and their idolatry. Therefore, He removed them from their land and scattered among the nations and dispersed them throughout the lands ( ; ; ). It is the judgment they have deserved by their ways and by their deeds. Among the nations to which they were scattered and dispersed, they behaved no better than in their land ( ). There, too, they profaned the holy Name of the LORD ( ; ). From the exile and scattering, the nations draw the conclusion that God has dealt faithlessly with His people and has been unable to protect His people. Thus they profaned the Name of the LORD. But the cause lies with Israel, which has turned away from the LORD in such a way that He did have to deal with them in this way. However, the LORD Himself will take care for the holiness of His Name before the nations ( ). Therefore, He will not give up His people, however guilty they may be, to extermination. That would result in new and greater slander from the nations. However, He will remove all ground for reproach by being merciful to His people, that is, a remnant, by sparing them and redeeming them.

‏ Ezekiel 36:16

Concern for His Holy Name

The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Eze 36:16). The LORD reminds him of the time Israel lived in their land and what they did then (Eze 36:17). Their ways they have gone and their deeds they have done are clearly before Him. They have defiled themselves, so He has had to treat them like a woman who is a secluded one because of her uncleanness. This means that He has had to break off dealings with this people (Lev 15:19-27).

Instead of being able to show His love to the people, He had to pour out His wrath on them (Eze 36:18). They caused it by their violence and their idolatry. Therefore, He removed them from their land and scattered among the nations and dispersed them throughout the lands (Eze 36:19; Eze 20:23; Lev 26:33). It is the judgment they have deserved by their ways and by their deeds.

Among the nations to which they were scattered and dispersed, they behaved no better than in their land (Eze 36:20). There, too, they profaned the holy Name of the LORD (Rom 2:24; Isa 52:5). From the exile and scattering, the nations draw the conclusion that God has dealt faithlessly with His people and has been unable to protect His people. Thus they profaned the Name of the LORD. But the cause lies with Israel, which has turned away from the LORD in such a way that He did have to deal with them in this way.

However, the LORD Himself will take care for the holiness of His Name before the nations (Eze 36:21). Therefore, He will not give up His people, however guilty they may be, to extermination. That would result in new and greater slander from the nations. However, He will remove all ground for reproach by being merciful to His people, that is, a remnant, by sparing them and redeeming them.