Reading for March 12th

Read Ezekiel 36.16-38 In 36.16-36: The Purification of Israel. Ezekiel portrays the restoration of Israel as a process of purifying sacrifice (Chs. 8-11). In verses 16-21: The prophet initially employs the imagery of menstral blood to portray the impurity of the land. According to priestly thought, blood is the seat of life and holiness, and hence, requires special care (Gen 9.1-6; Lev 17). Like men who have bodily discharges (Lev 15.1-18), menstrating women are considered unclean (Lev 15.19-30) and require purification. The exile of the people profanes God's name. In verses 22-232: In order to reclaim God's name, Israel must be restored. God intends to purify Israel with clean water, which is the standard procedure for purification in such cases (Lev 15.7, 11-12; see also Lev 14.5-6, 50-52; Num 19.17). Once the land and people are cleansed, God will provide a new heart and a new spirit (11.19; 18.31; Jer 31.31-34) that will prompt the people to live a holy life in accordance with God's commandments. The covenant formula (v. 28) signifies the restoration of Israel's relationship with God and the fertility of the land. In verses 33-36: Replenishing of the land to resemble the garden of Eden (Gen 2-3) revels God to the nations (Ex 15.13-18). In verses 37-38: The imagery of restoration is related to that of the sacrifical sheep that fill Jerusalem during festivals. Comments or Questions..