THE PROMISE OF A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT

The nation of Israel was God’s chosen people. When Adam and Eve transgressed the law of God in the beautiful Garden of Eden, God immediately began unveiling His plan to redeem the crown of His creation (Gen. 3:15). This plan was in the mind of God before He ever laid the foundations of the world or created man. The apostle John speaks of “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). In connection with the redemptive plan and the coming of the Messiah was the kingdom or church, which exists according to God’s eternal plan (Eph. 3:9-11).

To bring this announced plan to fruition, God needed a seed line through whom the Promised Seed of Genesis 3:15 would emerge. Thus, the calling of Abraham, and the promise that through his posterity all families of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:3). The primary fulfillment of this promise was realized in Christ (Gal. 3:26-29). Abraham became the father of the Hebrew nation, and the seed line ran through Issac, Jacob, Judah, and the royal family of David.

King David was the greatest king in the history of the Israelite nation. Historically, the kingdom later divided and the ten tribes to the north were given to Jeroboam (I Kgs. 11:31), and the southern kingdom of Judah was given to Rehoboam (I Kgs. 11:32). In approximately 722 B.C. the northern kingdom went into Assyrian captivity, never to return. A little over century later the southern kingdom was taken into exile by the Babylonians and King Nebuchadnezzar.

Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied during the dark days hovering over the southern kingdom. Jeremiah reminded the nation of Judah of God’s goodness and graciousness (Jer. 2:5-7). He pleaded with them to return to “the old paths” and enjoy “rest” for their souls, but they defiantly responded, “we will not walk in it” (Jer. 6:16). As a result of their impenitence, they would go into captivity for seventy years. The promise made by the Lord was as follows, “After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place” (Jer. 29:10). In this lesson, we want to examine what the prophet Ezekiel had to say about the nation’s return from exile and the changes that were to be forthcoming in the lives of those who had gone into captivity.

INTERPRETATION OF THE TEXT

Ezekiel graphically details the sins of God’s covenant people. They had “defiled” the land “by their own ways and deeds” (Ezek. 36:17) and were charged with idolatry and the shedding of blood (Ezek. 36:18). As a result of their sinful ways, God declared, “I poured out My fury on them” and “scattered them among the nations” (Ezek. 36:18-19). Sadly, Israel had profaned God’s holy name because of their sinful ways (Ezek. 36:20).

As a result of their captivity, the surrounding idolatrous nations attributed the removal of Israel from the land to the weakness of their God. Their return to the land was not due to the fact they deserved it, rather it was to preserve God’s holy name (Ezek. 36:22). Thus, the prophet declared, “And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the LORD God, when I am hallowed in you before their eyes” (Ezek. 36:23).

The preservation and restoration of Israel to the land of promise was for the purpose of accomplishing the grand and glorious plan of redemption through the seed line of Abraham. The remnant that returned to the land would be required to undergo purification. The Lord said, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezek. 36:26-26). The change of heart or attitude would result in their being brought back into fellowship with God, who had been so good and gracious to them time and again throughout their history as a nation of people.

APPLICATION OF THE TEXT

The nation of Israel fulfilled their purpose in God’s redemptive plan. Jesus, the Promised Seed, made His entrance into the world through the blood line of Abraham, and all who obey the gospel are “heirs” of the promise made to that illustrious patriarch 4,000 years ago (Gal. 3:26-29). Many people in the religious world today have the mistaken notion that fleshly Israel is still God’s chosen people, and that He is not finished with them, per se. God’s chosen nation today is not limited by geographical boundaries. Palestine is no more God’s chosen land than Memphis or Birmingham. God’s nation is comprised of people who are in the spiritual institution known as the church or kingdom. Jesus promised to build the church or kingdom and later purchased it with His divine blood (Matt. 16:13-19; Acts 20:28). The church is “the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). With this information in hand, let us now turn our attention to some lessons that can be gleaned from our study.

First, the nation of Israel’s captivity was a result of sin. The problems they faced were self-inflicted. Prior to his death, Moses warned the children of Israel and said in effect that if they obeyed God He would richly bless and prosper them, but if they disobeyed Him, they would be cursed (Deut. 30:11-20). Because they ignored his warnings, they became captives in a foreign land. Spiritually speaking, all who are living in the wasteland of sin are in bondage or captivity. Jesus said, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (Jo. 8:34). Many people think that a life of sin is liberating and provides freedom from some type of binary code. However, the hard truth is that all who are living in sin are in spiritual bondage. The apostle Paul speaks of those who have “been taken captive by the devil to do his will” (II Tim. 2:16). Peter, who knew something about falling prey to temptation and sin, writes about those who “have forsaken the right way and gone astray” (II Pet. 2:15). He goes on to say, “by whom a person is overcome, by him he also he is brought into bondage” (II Pet. 2:19). Many of us have seen individuals who are addicted to alcohol and various other chemical substances. Because the addiction is so strong, they are always thinking about the next drink or fix. Sadly, they will sometimes lie, steal, kill, cheat, beg, or borrow to support their habit. What a terrible life of bondage or slavery. The wise man observed, “the way of transgressors is hard” (Prov. 13:15, KJV).

It needs to be understood that the devil is the master of deceit and bondage. He is constantly trying to ensnare people in his web of lies and trickery. John the apostle correctly identified him as the one who “deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9). Satan has various schemes and methodologies he employs to allure people into a life of sin and slavery (Eph. 6:10-12; Jas. 1:13-15). The apostle Peter warned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Pet. 5:8). Therefore, he counseled, “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (I Pet. 5:9).

A second important lesson to be gleaned from Israel’s captivity is that we reap what we sow in life. The nation paid a heavy price for her idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. When Obadiah prophesied of the judgment that would fall on Edom, he said, “As you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your on head” (Obadiah 15). Centuries later, the apostle Paul said, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Gal. 6:7-8). The law of sowing and reaping is true in the natural realm as well as in the spiritual realm. As a matter of fact, Moses said in his narration of God’s work in creation that every seed “yields fruit according to its kind” (Gen. 1:11). When the prodigal son left home with a pocket full of money and the bright lights of the city before him, it’s safe to assume he never imagined he would hit rock bottom. However, after wasting his resources, “a severe famine arose in that land, and he began to be in want” (Lu. 15:14). The bottom fell out and the next thing you know this young fella is grazing with the swine (Lu. 15:16). What a sad reality, and yet the young son had no one to blame but himself for his misfortune. Is it possible that we sometimes think we are the exception to the law of sowing and reaping? Could it be that that we believe we can sow bad seed and reap a good harvest?

A third key lesson we glean from the text is the change in attitude or heart that would come about in the lives of the children of Israel. The prophet said, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezek. 36:26. Wayne Jackson states, “The Lord pledged that he would give them (through the influence of his word) a ‘new heart’ (disposition), in contrast to the ‘stony heart’ they previously had developed. This was not, however, independent of their own change of mind, emotions, or intentions” (Jackson, 311). The gospel message is aimed at the intellect and is intended to bring about a change of thinking followed by a change in actions. This is called repentance. It is a prerequisite to obeying the gospel (Acts 2:38).

The gospel of Christ demands a radical change take place in the life of a believer. There is a contrast between the old man or person of sin and the new man or person in Christ. To the church at Colosse, Paul said, “you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Col. 3:9-10).

As children of God, we are challenged by the world and the forces of darkness. Rather than allowing the world to conform us or pour us into her mold, we are to “be transformed by the renewing” of our mind (Rom. 12:2). The heart or mind is to be a depository for divine truth. We are counseled with these words, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col. 3:16). The idea being conveyed by the inspired writer is that the word of God is to find a home in our heart. This is central to the new covenant envisioned by the prophet Jeremiah when He said on behalf of God, “I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jer. 31:33).

A fourth lesson that emerges out of our study is the cleansing that comes about through obedience to the gospel of Christ. To those returning from Babylonian captivity, God said through the prophet Ezekiel, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols” (Ezek. 36:25). Their cleansing or purification was an essential part of their return to the land from captivity. This verse serves as a backdrop to what the New Testament teaches concerning the cleansing of sin and the power of the blood of Christ. In Ephesians 5:26, Paul states that we are sanctified and cleansed “with the washing of water with the word,” which is clearly a reference to baptism for the remission of sins. In his letter to Titus, the inspired writer speaks of “the washing of regeneration” which again points to the cleansing by the blood of Christ when we are baptized.

There are multitudes of people in the religious world that misunderstand the importance of New Testametnt baptism. In their minds, “baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace.” Nowhere is this concept taught in the Scriptures. Baptism is the step from without to within the body of Christ. It is preceded by faith in Jesus (Jo. 8:24), repentance (Acts 17:30), and confession (Rom. 10:9-10). Baptism is essential in contacting the blood of Jesus. The only way to contact the blood of Christ is to go where it was shed. John the apostle states Jesus shed His blood in death (Jo. 19:34-35). That is why Paul said, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). When we are baptized into Christ, we appropriate the blood of Christ and enjoy the washing away of our sins (Acts 22:16) and “salvation” (Mk. 16:16). Furthermore, we are then added to the church and numbered among the saved (Acts 2:47; I Co. 12:13; Eph. 5:23).

A fifth important lesson to be learned is that our fellowship with God is predicated on our willingness to honor His word. Such was the case with the nation of Israel. Following their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, God said “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:5-6a). The unfaithfulness of the northern kingdom led to their being taken captive by the Assyrians. Sadly, the northern kingdom fared no better. Rather than learning from her sister, Judah forsook the Lord and suffered a similar fate.

Many people in the religious world today are under the impression that once they are saved, they are always saved. Nowhere is this doctrine supported in the Scriptures. The apostle Paul mentioned Hymenaeus and Alexander as two brothers who suffered a shipwrecked faith (I Tim. 1:18-20). He later spoke of another brother named Demas that had at one time been a faithful fellow-laborer in the kingdom but abandoned the faith for the world (Phil. 24; II Tim. 4:10). The apostle Peter said there were some who had “forsaken the right way and gone astray” (II Pet. 2:15). He went on to warn of the dangerous spiritual condition of a child of God that becomes unfaithful in these sobering words, “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (II Pet. 2:20). The picture is that of a person who obeys the gospel and then gets entangled in the web of the world once again. Now note carefully the continuation, “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, a dog returns to his own vomit, and a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire” (II Pet. 2:21-22). Those who die in an unfaithful state will spend eternity severed from the presence of God and His people. We can only wonder about the mental vexation they will experience knowing they had it all, only to lose it all (Lu. 16:25; Matt. 16:26).

As a Christian, we must maintain faith and fidelity to the Lord, come what may. Otherwise, there will be a breach in our fellowship with the Lord and His people (II Jo. 9-11). The keys to remaining faithful to God are as follows :(1) Stay in the word of God. Remember the words of the Psalmist, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119). Jesus combated the overtures of the devil by quoting the Scriptures (Matt. 4:1-11). Since He is our great example, we would do well to do likewise. (2) Stay in worship to God. Worship affords us the opportunity to be in the presence of people who are of “like precious faith” (II Pet. 1:1). Periods of worship afford us the opportunity to refocus and draw encouragement from one another (Heb. 10:25). (3) Stay in the work of God. The old cliché is true, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” We have been saved to serve the Lord. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Our work in the kingdom brings honor and glory to God the Father (Matt. 5:16).

CONCLUSION

The apostle Paul wrote, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. The Old Testament provides us with a vast repository of lessons that help us see more clearly the new covenant under which we live today. We are grateful for the opportunity to examine the various types, shadows, and prophecies of the Old Testament, which enables us to have a richer and deeper understanding of the New Testament and the blessings of our loving God. May we strive to live with a heart consecrated to the Lord (II Cor. 5:14-15).

REFERENCES

Jackson, Wayne. The Prophets: An Old Testament Commentary, Vol. IV. Christian Courier Publications, 2015.