Question 1

What does it mean that God will bring again the captivity of Jacob?

Accepted Answer

When God says He will "bring again the captivity of Jacob," He is promising to reverse what happened to His people. They had been scattered among many nations because of their sins. Here God says He will gather them back from those lands and return them to their own land. It is not only a change in location but also a change in their situation. Instead of being under judgment, they will again live under His care. This shows God does not forget His people, even when He has corrected them for a long time.

Question 2

Why does God say Israel must bear their shame before He restores them?

Accepted Answer

God says Israel will bear their shame and all their trespasses before the restoration. This means they will deeply feel and own the guilt of their sins. They remember how they sinned against God even when they lived safely in their land and no one made them afraid. Now, in exile and trouble, they see how wrong they were and are ashamed of it. This humble sorrow is part of true repentance. God’s promise comes after this, showing that He restores people who confess their sin and take the blame instead of making excuses.

Question 3

What does it mean that God is jealous for His holy name in this passage?

Accepted Answer

When God says He will be jealous for His holy name, it means He cares deeply about His honor and how people think of Him. Israel’s sin and exile had made it look like their God was weak or unfaithful. By restoring them, forgiving them, and making them holy, God shows the nations that He is righteous, faithful, and powerful. His name is “holy” because He is set apart from all others. His jealousy is not petty; it is His strong commitment that His character will not be mocked or misunderstood, either by His people or by other nations.

Question 4

Why does God say He both sent Israel into captivity and then gathered them back?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, God makes it clear that He was the one who caused Israel to be led into captivity among the nations and that He is also the one who gathers them back. Their exile was not an accident or just the strength of their enemies. It was His response to their sins. In the same way, their return is not just good fortune or politics, but His mercy. This helps Israel understand that both their troubles and their comfort come from God’s hand. They are called to see His justice in their punishment and His kindness in their restoration.

Question 5

What does it mean that God will be sanctified in Israel in the sight of many nations?

Accepted Answer

God being "sanctified in them in the sight of many nations" means that through what He does for Israel, other peoples will see that He is holy and set apart. During Israel’s exile, some may have thought their God was powerless. When God gathers them out of their enemies’ lands, changes them, and blesses them, people will see that He is real and righteous. His name will no longer be dragged down by their sins, but lifted up by their repentance and His mercy. Israel’s story becomes a public display of God’s justice and grace.

Question 6

What does it mean that God will no longer hide His face from Israel?

Accepted Answer

Earlier, God had "hidden His face" from Israel, meaning He withdrew His favor and protection because of their uncleanness and transgressions. In this promise He says, "Neither will I hide my face any more from them." That points to a lasting change in their relationship with Him. Instead of distance and judgment, there will be nearness and favor. He will be attentive to them and not turn away. This lasting openness is tied to the next line: He has poured out His Spirit on the house of Israel, so they will not turn away from Him again.

Question 7

How does God pouring out His Spirit relate to Israel’s future faithfulness?

Accepted Answer

God ends this promise by saying He has poured out His Spirit on the house of Israel. This shows that their future faithfulness is not something they produce by their own strength. His Spirit living and working among them will keep them from going back to the same patterns of sin that led to exile. Because of this, He will not need to hide His face again. The Spirit’s work in their hearts matches God’s outward kindness to them. It is a picture of both inner change and outer blessing coming from God’s own hand.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about the link between repentance and restoration?

Accepted Answer

This passage ties repentance and restoration closely together. Israel first bears their shame, remembers their trespasses, and feels the weight of how they sinned while they lived in safety. Then God speaks of bringing back the captivity, having mercy on the whole house of Israel, and gathering them from their enemies’ lands. The order matters. God is not ignoring their sin; He is forgiving and healing a people who have been humbled. It shows that when God’s people truly turn back to Him, He is ready to show mercy and to rebuild what their sins had broken.

Question 9

How can this promise to Israel encourage believers who feel far from God today?

Accepted Answer

This passage speaks first to Israel, but the pattern can encourage anyone who feels far from God. It shows that God may allow hard times because of sin, but His purpose is not to crush forever. When people face their shame, admit their wrongs, and turn back to Him, He does not leave them there. He restores, brings near, and pours out His Spirit. It also reminds us that both discipline and comfort come from His hand. So if someone is burdened by their past, this promise shows that God is able to both correct and then kindly bring back those who return to Him.

Ezekiel 39:25

Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

Israel to Be Restored

Israel Restored

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Ezekiel 39:25

Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

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Israel to Be Restored

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