book of Ezekiel chapter 34
In the book of Ezekiel chapter 34 God asks Ezekiel to prophesy against the evil shepherds of Israel such as kings, spiritual leaders and priest, that are deceiving and misleading their flock for their personal gain. He speaks of shepherds that take advantage of their congregation and offer nothing in return. God promises to take care of His flock by giving them a true king who will rule forever (source 1). In chapter 36, God reminds them of their previous sins and declares that Israel’s restoration is assured. God wanted all the other nations to see His real power. In chapter 37, Ezekiel prophesy’s about dry bones coming back to life. The vision was about how God was going to bring Israel out of captivity back into the promised land. In this passage, God was trying to show the people His true power and how he could save Israel from their state (source 1). He turned Ezekiel’s messages to Gods consoling words of hope for his people.
God promised Israel restoration and a future king who is the true shepherd. Ezekiel prophesies warned about false shepherds and that there was going to be a good shepherd who would rule forever (source 2). God also talked about His judgement of sin and how there was nothing in his people to praise hence the salvation, which is Jesus Christ, who will represent His grace and honour of His holy name. He also talked about giving life to the dry bones and making Israel one nation, and they will have one king who will be king to all of them.
In Ezekiel’s prophecies, God promised to give the people of Israel new hearts and new spirits that he will put withing them (source 1). He also said he would remove the heart of stone and bless them with a new hearts of flesh. In the prophecy of the new covenant by Jeremiah, God said that he would make a new agreement with the people of Israel and Judah. In this covenant, he promised to put the law within them and write it on their hearts (source 3). He promises to forgive their sins and be known to all. In both prophecies, God promises the people new lives and hearts with laws written within them and knowledge of Himself to all.