They
shall say, This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.
Ezekiel 36:35
Ezekiel 36 [30.] I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that you may receive no more the reproach of famine among the nations. Then you shall remember your evil ways, and your doings that were not good; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Nor for your sake do I this, says the Lord Yahweh, be it known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel. Thus says the Lord Yahweh: In the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be built. The land that was desolate shall be tilled, whereas it was a desolation in the sight of all who passed by.
Ezekiel 36 [35.] They shall say, This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited. Then the nations that are left around you shall know that I, Yahweh, have built the ruined places, and planted that which was desolate: I, Yahweh, have spoken it, and I will do it. Thus says the Lord Yahweh: For this, moreover, will I be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them: I will increase them with men like a flock. As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men; and they shall know that I am Yahweh.
Meaning:
This verse is a powerful declaration of God’s promise to restore the land of Israel. It comes from a section of the book of Ezekiel where God reassures His people that despite their sin and the resulting desolation of their land, He will bring about a miraculous restoration. The imagery of a land once desolate and now transformed into something akin to the Garden of Eden is profound, evoking a vision of renewal, abundance, and divine blessing.
- Israel's Rebellion and Consequences:
The Desolation of the Land: Leading up to this promise, Israel had faced severe judgment due to their persistent rebellion against God. Their idolatry, injustice, and disregard for God’s laws had led to their land being laid waste, and their cities destroyed. The people were scattered among the nations, and the land that once flowed with milk and honey was left barren and desolate.
God’s Holiness and His Name: Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God’s commitment to His holy name and His covenant with His people remains steadfast. He declares that He will act not for Israel’s sake, but for the sake of His holy name, which had been profaned among the nations (Ezekiel 36:22). God’s restoration of Israel is ultimately a demonstration of His holiness, mercy, and faithfulness.
- The Promise of Restoration:
New Heart and Spirit: Before the land itself is restored, God promises to renew His people spiritually. He says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26). This spiritual renewal is foundational to the physical restoration that follows.
Renewal of the Land: Following the promise of spiritual renewal, God assures the people that the land will be restored. The desolate land will become fertile and fruitful, and the ruined cities will be rebuilt and inhabited. The transformation will be so dramatic that the surrounding nations will recognize it as the work of God.
Significance
- Transformation from Desolation to Abundance:
The Garden of Eden Imagery: Comparing the restored land to the Garden of Eden evokes a powerful image of abundance, beauty, and divine favor. The Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis, was a place of perfect harmony between humanity and God, a paradise filled with every good thing. By likening the restored land to Eden, God is not just promising a return to normalcy, but a restoration to something far greater—a return to the original blessing of creation.
Reversal of Judgment: The land’s transformation from desolation to Eden-like abundance symbolizes the reversal of judgment. The desolation was a direct result of Israel’s sins, and the restoration is a sign of God’s mercy and forgiveness. It shows that no matter how severe the consequences of sin, God’s grace is sufficient to bring about a complete and glorious restoration.
- God’s Faithfulness and Power:
A Testament to God’s Power: The restoration of the land serves as a testament to God’s power and sovereignty. What was once barren and lifeless is brought back to life by the hand of God. This transformation is not just a physical renewal but a spiritual one as well, showcasing God’s ability to bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and beauty out of ruin.
God’s Faithfulness to His Promises: This verse also highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God remains committed to His word. He had promised to bless Abraham’s descendants and to give them a land of their own. Even when Israel failed to uphold their end of the covenant, God remained faithful, ultimately restoring both the people and the land.
Practical Reflections
- Hope in God’s Restoration:
Personal Restoration: Just as God promised to restore Israel’s land, He offers restoration to us in our personal lives. Whether we face spiritual desolation, broken relationships, or lost opportunities, God’s power to renew and restore is as potent today as it was in Ezekiel’s time. We can trust that God is able to take our most desolate situations and turn them into something beautiful and life-giving.
Renewal Through Repentance: The restoration promised in Ezekiel comes after a period of judgment and repentance. This reminds us that spiritual renewal often begins with repentance—turning away from sin and turning back to God. When we allow God to renew our hearts, He can then bring restoration to other areas of our lives.
- Witness to God’s Power:
Testifying to God’s Work: The transformation of the land in Ezekiel is meant to be a witness to the nations of God’s power and faithfulness. In our own lives, when God brings about restoration, it serves as a testimony to others of His goodness. We can share our stories of transformation as a way to point others to the God who restores and renews.
- Living in Anticipation of Ultimate Restoration:
Looking Forward to the New Creation: Ezekiel’s vision of a restored land foreshadows the ultimate restoration of all creation. As believers, we live in anticipation of the new heaven and new earth, where God will make all things new. This future hope gives us the strength to persevere through present difficulties, knowing that God’s restoration work is not yet complete.
Cross-References:
Isaiah 51:3: "For Yahweh has comforted Zion. He has comforted all her waste places, and has made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Yahweh. Joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." This verse from Isaiah echoes the same promise of transformation. Here too, the desolate places are made like Eden, filled with joy and thanksgiving. It reinforces the theme of God’s restorative power and His ability to turn barrenness into blessing.
Joel 2:25: "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the great locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar, my great army, which I sent among you." Joel speaks of a different kind of restoration—the restoration of time and lost years. Like Ezekiel, this verse underscores God’s ability to restore what was lost or destroyed, whether it be land, time, or opportunities.
Revelation 21:5: "He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' He said, 'Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.'" This promise in Revelation looks forward to the ultimate renewal of all things in the new heaven and new earth. Just as God promised to restore Israel’s land in Ezekiel, He promises to make all things new in the future, completing the work of restoration on a cosmic scale.
Conclusion: Ezekiel 36:35 is a powerful reminder of God’s ability to restore what has been lost or destroyed. The transformation of a desolate land into something like the Garden of Eden speaks to God’s power, faithfulness, and mercy. It invites us to trust in God’s promise of restoration, both in our personal lives and in the broader story of redemption that He is writing throughout history. As we reflect on this verse, we are encouraged to live with hope, knowing that God is always at work to bring about renewal and restoration, both now and in the future.
fearful - quitter - wilderness