Ezekiel's concern was that God’s harsh dealing with His people would leave the land of Israel without people. In response to his distress, God then assured him that He had His true people in place. God told the prophet that those taken into exile were his kinsmen and truly His people. Those, who remained in Jerusalem arrogantly considered themselves to be the chosen ones. They thought that they were secured in Jerusalem just because that was where the temple was located there. So, they sneered at those in exile and considered them as being forsaken by God and cast away in a foreign land. But God thought otherwise. Although in exile and were denigrated by those who remained in Jerusalem, God was with them. He was their sanctuary in their exile.
God
further assured Ezekiel in verses 16-18 that those in exile were His preserved remnant.
Though they were now scattered from their homeland they would be gathered back and
be given the land of Israel. When they returned, they also would be purged of
their idolatrous practices and rebellion. Besides God would restore them and
give them a new and tender heart in place of their cold, stony, and rebellious hearts.
They would again walk with Him obeying His statutes and rules and be truly His people,
acknowledging Him as their God. In contrast, those who had rebelled against Him would
be judged for their wickedness.
What
we learn is that God will not walk away from those who have set their hearts on
Him. While this is guaranteed, it must be noted that He will condone our sin
and unfaithfulness. What He wants of us is a tender heart towards Him. He will
continue to deal to straighten us and help us get rid of those hindrances to our
relationship with Him. We can truly inherit His promise only as we are prepared
to advance His cause according to His holy demands.
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