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Israel to Be Restored
Ezekiel 39:21–29 explains what the Lord says Israel and the nations will learn through his judgment, Israel’s captivity, and his mercy when he restores and gathers his people again.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, the Lord speaks about what the nations will see and know, and what the house of Israel will know. He explains Israel’s captivity as the result of their sin, then declares mercy, regathering, security in the land, and the outpouring of his Spirit.
Ezekiel 39:21–29Main takeaway
This passage says the Lord makes himself known in judgment against sin and in mercy as he restores Israel.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The nations see the Lord’s gloryThe passage opens with the Lord saying, “I will set my glory among the nations”. The nations will see his judgment and his hand.
Explanation
The passage opens with the Lord saying, “I will set my glory among the nations”. The nations will see his judgment and his hand. These words show that what the Lord does will be visible and will display who he is before many peoples.
02Captivity is explainedIsrael will know that Yahweh is their God from that day forward. The nations will also know why Israel went into captivity.
Explanation
Israel will know that Yahweh is their God from that day forward. The nations will also know why Israel went into captivity. The Lord names Israel’s iniquity, trespass, uncleanness, and transgressions, and says he hid his face from them and gave them into the hand of adversaries.
03The Lord promises mercy and returnThen the Lord says, “Now I will reverse the captivity of Jacob” and “have mercy on the whole house of Israel”.
Explanation
Then the Lord says, “Now I will reverse the captivity of Jacob” and “have mercy on the whole house of Israel”. He also says, “I will be jealous for my holy name”. Restoration is presented as the Lord’s own declared act toward his people.
04Gathered home, no longer hiddenThe restored people will dwell securely in their land, with no one to make them afraid. The Lord will bring them back from the peoples and gather them from enemies’ lands.
Explanation
The restored people will dwell securely in their land, with no one to make them afraid. The Lord will bring them back from the peoples and gather them from enemies’ lands. They will know he is Yahweh, for he gathered them back, left none captive, will not hide his face, and has poured out his Spirit on the house of Israel.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the passage say the nations will understand when they see the Lord’s judgment?
Notice both parts: they see the Lord’s glory, and they learn that Israel’s captivity came because of Israel’s iniquity and trespass.
02What words in this passage explain why Israel went into captivity?
List the terms the Lord uses for Israel’s wrongdoing and the statement that he hid his face from them.
03How does the ending show a change from earlier in the passage?
Compare “I hid my face from them” with “I won’t hide my face from them any more” and the promise of the Spirit.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 39:21–29
21“I will set my glory among the nations. Then all the nations will see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them.
22So the house of Israel will know that I am Yahweh their God, from that day and forward.
23The nations will know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they trespassed against me, and I hid my face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword.
24I did to them according to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions. I hid my face from them.
25“Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Now I will reverse the captivity of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel. I will be jealous for my holy name.
26They will forget their shame and all their trespasses by which they have trespassed against me, when they dwell securely in their land. No one will make them afraid
27when I have brought them back from the peoples, gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am shown holy among them in the sight of many nations.
28They will know that I am Yahweh their God, in that I caused them to go into captivity among the nations, and have gathered them to their own land. Then I will leave none of them captive any more.
29I won’t hide my face from them any more, for I have poured out my Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord Yahweh.”