Ezekiel 36 and 37 describe how during the time of the exile other nations took over the land of Israel. God will mete out punishment on those nations who have used the land. The people of Israel will be re-established on their land. Their cities will be rebuilt.  God’s reputation is on the line. He will prove that He is the Most High God. Even though His people have sinned, God will cleanse them, getting rid of their idols and putting a new, faithful heart in them. God will bless the people of Israel and all the nations will know that He is the Lord God.

God will breathe the new life of His Spirit into His people They have been withering away since they turned their backs on God and now God is renewing, restoring, regenerating them. God will restore them as one nation, undivided. In the past they have been split as two nations Judah and Israel. Now they will again be one as in the time of David. The chapters end with a prophecy that prophesies of Jesus, the new David, who will establish an eternal covenant with God’s people.

We often feel like our sins are unforgiveable. Somehow, God could never find it in His heart to forgive us. But, if we have learned nothing else from reading the Old Testament, we have learned that God’s love for us is steadfast. Despite our most egregious sins God is able to forgive us and make us right again. God’s faith and hope in us is everlasting. He is able to restore us as His people. He is able to renew us with His Spirit. This is not just for us but for the glory of His most holy name.

Psalms 126, 127 and 128, while not actually related speak of similar things. They are giving thanks to God for restoring Israel’s relationship with God. They encourage those who dwell in the cities to build them with the Lord. All of our houses must be built by God. If God is not in our families, our homes, our cities, we will not survive.