Question 1

Why did God scatter the house of Israel among the nations?

Accepted Answer

God scattered Israel because they defiled the land with their ways, their violence, and their idols. Their sin is pictured as serious uncleanness, so He poured out His anger and judged them according to their conduct. Being sent among the nations was not random bad luck but a direct result of their choices. God had given them the land, but their bloodshed and false worship made it unclean, so He removed them from it. This shows that God takes sin seriously and does not ignore injustice or idolatry.

Question 2

What does it mean that Israel profaned God’s holy name among the nations?

Accepted Answer

Israel profaned God’s name when their sin and exile gave the nations the wrong idea about Him. Other peoples saw them driven out of their land and said, “These are the people of the Lord, and are gone out of His land.” Instead of honoring God, Israel’s behavior made it look like their God was either weak or unfaithful. By living in open sin and then being judged, they dragged God’s name through the mud in front of others, instead of showing His holiness and faithfulness.

Question 3

What does God mean when He says He restores Israel for His name’s sake, not for their sakes?

Accepted Answer

When God says He is not doing this for their sakes but for His holy name, He is reminding them that they did nothing to earn this kindness. They had profaned His name, yet He chooses to act to show who He is. He wants the nations to see His holiness, mercy, and faithfulness. This keeps Israel from boasting and calls them to humility. Their hope rests on God’s character, not their record. His promise shows that grace is rooted in who God is, not in human merit.

Question 4

What does “I will sprinkle clean water upon you” mean in this passage?

Accepted Answer

“I will sprinkle clean water upon you” is a picture of God Himself washing His people from their spiritual filth. It points to cleansing from sin and from idols, not just to outward washing. God is saying He will remove their uncleanness and make them fit to belong to Him again. This is more than ritual washing; it is an inner renewal that He does. He takes people who are dirty in heart and life and makes them clean so they can walk with Him and honor His name.

Question 5

What is the new heart and new spirit that God promises to give?

Accepted Answer

The new heart and new spirit describe a deep inner change that God gives. Their old heart is called a heart of stone, cold and stubborn toward God. God promises to remove that and give a heart of flesh, soft and responsive to Him. He also puts a new spirit within them, so they are not just cleaned up on the outside but changed on the inside. This change affects their desires, so they want to follow God, not just feel forced to obey from the outside.

Question 6

How does God’s Spirit cause people to walk in His statutes?

Accepted Answer

God says He will put His Spirit within His people and cause them to walk in His statutes. This means obedience comes from His power at work in them, not from their strength alone. The Spirit changes what they love and want, so they begin to desire what pleases God. His laws are no longer just rules on stone but are written in their hearts. This leads to real, practical obedience: they keep His judgments and do them because the Spirit makes them willing and able to live in a new way.

Question 7

What physical blessings does God promise along with spiritual renewal?

Accepted Answer

Along with cleansing and a new heart, God promises to restore the land. He will call for the grain, increase it, and remove famine. The trees and fields will be fruitful. Desolate cities will be rebuilt and filled with people again. The land that was ruined will look like the garden of Eden. These outward blessings show His favor and make it clear to those watching that God Himself has rebuilt what was ruined and planted what was desolate, keeping His word to His people.

Question 8

Why does God say Israel will loathe themselves for their sins after He restores them?

Accepted Answer

After God cleanses and restores them, He says they will remember their evil ways and loathe themselves for their iniquities and abominations. This is not empty self-hatred but true repentance. When they see how kindly God has treated them, even after all they have done, they feel deep shame for their past rebellion. They recognize how unworthy they were of such mercy. This honest grief over sin goes together with gratitude, and it keeps them humble before God.

Question 9

What does this passage teach about God’s character and His name?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God is holy, just, and merciful. He judges sin and does not ignore bloodshed or idolatry. Yet He is also deeply concerned for His holy name and will not let it be trampled forever. For the sake of His name, He gathers, cleanses, and renews His people. He wants both Israel and the nations to know that He is the Lord who keeps His word, restores what He has torn down, and changes hearts. His own character is the foundation of hope for His people.

Question 10

How can the promises in this passage encourage believers today?

Accepted Answer

These promises remind believers that God can restore what sin has ruined. He is able to cleanse from deep uncleanness, break the grip of idols, and give a new heart and spirit. Obedience is not about trying harder on our own but about relying on God’s Spirit within. When life feels barren, this passage shows that God can make desolate places flourish again. It also encourages humility, since all grace comes from God’s desire to honor His name, not from our worthiness.

Ezekiel 36:16

¶ Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

A New Heart and a New Spirit

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Ezekiel 36:16

¶ Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

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A New Heart and a New Spirit

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