God's Restorative Work (Ezekiel 37:11-28)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
10 October 2021
God is in the work of restoring individuals and nations—and he does the work his way.
He begins the work of restoration by inner regeneration. Israel in captivity must be given a new heart. There is no other way. Israel must be born again. This is God’s way. A cleansing work from within precedes a cleansed work without.
It is God who regenerates the soul of a nation or individual and following this regeneration comes reconciliation to God. Two separated parties can now be united. Regenerated Israel is now reconciled Israel—reconciled to God.
Not only is there national reconciliation to God but there is reconciliation between peoples. This is the lesson of the two sticks Ezekiel was required to hold together. The people of Israel and Judah are reconciled. Out of division comes brotherly unity.
Emerging from regeneration and reconciliation comes one nation. Israel will once again be one kingdom.
Israel will have one king and he will be David and ultimately a descendant of David who is Jesus Christ.
There will be one shepherd, who will be descended from David. That shepherd is Jesus Christ, son of David.
The work of restoration is seen in the sanctification of God’s people. They are cured of idolatry and henceforth live in away that pleases the Lord.
The Lord’s work of restoration is guaranteed by his making an everlasting covenant. The various Old Testament covenants all came to an end but the Lord’s everlasting covenant is unending. It proves God’s eternal commitment to his people. This everlasting covenant is the New Testament sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
The land and sanctuary associated with Ezekiel’s vision are to be taken figuratively as representing heaven and the presence of the Lord. In the same way reference to David being Israel’s prince forever is to be understood symbolically. In Ezekiel’s days David had been long-dead yet Ezekiel speaks of David as living and ruling. David is a type of his descendant—the Greater David, Jesus Christ.
Finally, the restorative work of God will yield much fruit. Israel will be established and multiplied. This multiplication came through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ when the Gentiles were brought into the kingdom of God and the Abrahamic promise was fulfilled.
Thank God for his work of restoration. The church may seem down and defeated but its Master is the Lord God almighty. He is committed to the church's well-being. It shall not perish for it is built upon a rock—the Lord Jesus Christ.