Read & explore together
The Restoration of Israel
These two verses give a short promise about Israel’s future. The focus is on what the Lord Yahweh says he will do, where his people will live, and what they and the nations will come to know about him.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, the speaker is the Lord Yahweh. He speaks about the house of Israel as a scattered people, about the land he gave to his servant Jacob, and about the nations seeing his holiness. The passage is prophecy and teaching, so it presents God’s declared purpose rather than telling a story event by event.
Ezekiel 28:25–26Main takeaway
The passage teaches that the Lord Yahweh promises to gather Israel, settle them securely in their land, and make his holiness and identity known.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The Lord Yahweh speaks and gathersThe passage begins with the Lord Yahweh’s own words. He says he will gather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are scattered.
Explanation
The passage begins with the Lord Yahweh’s own words. He says he will gather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are scattered. “House of Israel” means the people of Israel as a whole. The main action starts with God, not with the people organising their own return.
02His holiness is seen by the nationsAs he gathers Israel, the Lord says he will be shown as holy among them in the sight of the nations.
Explanation
As he gathers Israel, the Lord says he will be shown as holy among them in the sight of the nations. In this verse, God’s holiness is public. The nations are not the centre of the promise, but they are witnesses to who the Lord is through what he does with Israel.
03They dwell in the land given to JacobThe destination is clear: Israel will dwell in their own land, the land the Lord says he gave to his servant Jacob.
Explanation
The destination is clear: Israel will dwell in their own land, the land the Lord says he gave to his servant Jacob. The verse ties this future dwelling to God’s earlier gift. The stress here is on belonging and gift, because it is their own land given by God.
04Security, work, and knowing YahwehVerse 26 repeats that they will dwell securely. It adds ordinary signs of settled life: building houses and planting vineyards.
Explanation
Verse 26 repeats that they will dwell securely. It adds ordinary signs of settled life: building houses and planting vineyards. The Lord also says he will execute judgments on those around them who treated them with contempt. The result is recognition: they will know that he is Yahweh their God.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What actions in these verses does the Lord Yahweh say he himself will do?
List the verbs attached to the Lord’s words, such as gather, be shown as holy, and execute judgments, then notice what those actions achieve for Israel.
02What details show that this promise includes both place and safety?
Look for the phrases about dwelling in their own land, dwelling securely, building houses, and planting vineyards.
03Who is meant to learn something about Yahweh in this passage, and what do they learn?
Notice that the nations see his holiness, and Israel comes to know that he is Yahweh their God.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 28:25–26
25“ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am shown as holy among them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob.
26They will dwell in it securely. Yes, they will build houses, plant vineyards, and will dwell securely when I have executed judgments on all those around them who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am Yahweh their God.” ’ ”