Booming Economy of Grace

It's one of the most amazing things about the land of Israel. Presently it is flourishing economically, agriculturally, technologically, militarily, and diplomatically. Surrounded by enemies on all sides, this small nation continues to stand as a testament to the surety of God's Word. 

Ezekiel 36 arrives on the heels of the doom announced to Edom in chapter 35, who sought to exploit Israel's discipline of exile to Babylon by taking the land for themselves. It never happened, and the land of Edom has become a desolate waste just as Ezekiel 35 foretold. 

Not Israel. The exact opposite has happened to God's favored nation. In Ezekiel 36, the Lord tells His prophet to speak to the mountains of Israel and declare the blessing that will surely arrive as He brings His people back to the land. 

Ezekiel 36:8–9 (ESV) “But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. 9 For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown.

I have been to Israel. I remember hearing this verse very clearly during my tour. The promise had been fulfilled as we saw the land indeed bearing fruit for His people. It was not the case just 150 years ago. Mark Twain toured this very land and considered it a wasteland. In his book, "The Innocents Abroad", published in 1869, he described Israel's land as, “hopeless, dreary, (and) heartbroken”. Then came the zionist movement in the later part of that century, followed by the Balfour Declaration, and eventually, the nation state was reborn on May 14, 1948. 

Today, the words of Ezekiel ring more accurate than ever. Listen to the promise continue from verse 10:

Ezekiel 36:10–11 (ESV) And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. 11 And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

God promises that this nation will no more bear the reproach of other nations:

Ezekiel 36:15 (ESV) And I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble, declares the Lord GOD.”

Now, why does God do all of this for Israel? Because she deserves it? No. That is not the economy by which God operates, and Ezekiel is reminded of this fact later in the chapter. 

Ezekiel 36:19–21 (ESV) I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries. In accordance with their ways and their deeds I judged them. 20 But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that people said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, and yet they had to go out of his land.’ 21 But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they came.

God's reputation was at stake. He would not be disregarded by the nations through Israel's disobedience. On the contrary, God would get glory for His name by redeeming them when they least deserved it and sustaining them through the centuries. He does this through Israel as a testimony to we who believe on Christ might not rest on our works but His name for our salvation. We don't deserve His grace, but He gives it to the least of us so that any and all might hear and find hope in Jesus's name!

You should visit Israel and see a nation that has thrived from ancient to modern times. Then you should look to the Father and His Word, which always proves true. The,n you should resolve to rest in His abundant grace and mercy. 

Amen.