Sunday Sermon | April 5, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Collierville First Baptist Church

Good Friday Sermon 2026

Dr. Chuck Herring

Wednesday Bible Study | March 25, 2026

Easter Sermon | April 5, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Wednesday Bible Study | April 1, 2026

A new Bible study series on the life of David

Dr. Chuck Herring

Wednesday Bible Study | March 11, 2026

Sunday Sermon | March 29, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Wednesday Bible Study | March 11, 2026

Sunday Sermon | March 22, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Sunday Sermon | March 15, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Sunday Sermon | March 8, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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March 4, 2026

Wednesday Bible Study | Dr. Tommy Vinson

Sunday Sermon | March 1, 2026 | Danny Sinquefield

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Wednesday Bible Study Series | February 25, 2026

Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Sunday Sermon | February 22, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Wednesday Bible Study Series | February 18, 2026

Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Sunday Sermon | February 8, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Wednesday Bible Study Series | February 11, 2026

Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Sunday Sermon | February 8, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Wednesday Bible Study Series | February 4, 2026

Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Sunday Sermon | February 1, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Sunday Sermon | January 25, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Wednesday Bible Study | Dr. Tommy Vinson

Sunday Sermon | January 18, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Sunday Sermon | January 11, 2026 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Wednesday Bible Study Series | January 7, 2025

Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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The Lord's Supper

Sunday Sermon | December 28, 2025

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New Year's 2026 Message

Sunday Sermon | December 28, 2025

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Part 3 of the series, Joseph's Christmas Story

Sunday Sermon | December 21, 2025

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Part 2 of the series, Joseph's Christmas Story

Sunday Sermon | December 14, 2025

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Part 1 of the series, Joseph's Christmas Story

Sunday Sermon | December 7, 2025 | Dr. Chuck Herring

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Les Helton

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. John Aaron Matthew

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Collierville First Baptist Church

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1. Faith That Produced Obedience
2. Passion That Produced Unity
3. Desperation That Produced Prayer
4. The Spirit That Produced Power

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Tommy Vinson

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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Dr. Chuck Herring

Collierville First Baptist Church

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In chapters 13 through 17, Jesus turned from a
public ministry to those who rejected Him to a
private ministry to those who received Him.
These chapters cover approximately 24-36
hours of Jesus’ ministry.
John 13:1… Now before the Feast of the
Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had
come that He would depart out of this world
to the Father, having loved His own who were
in the world, He loved them to the end.
Jesus knew that “His hour was come.” It was
time for the Lord Jesus to be glorified through
His death, resurrection, and ascension. John,
more than any other gospel writer, emphasized
the fact that Jesus lived on a “heavenly
timetable” as He did the Father’s will. Because
Jesus knew who He was, where He came from,
1November 3, 2024
CFBC…
“Discovering Jesus” (John’s Gospel)
what He had, and where He was going, He was
complete master of the situation.1
“He loved them to the end”
— This means that
His love for them was perfect and complete.
Paul described the Lord’s love for those who
receive Him by faith…
Ephesians 3:17–19… so that Christ may dwell
in your hearts through faith; and that you,
being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be
able to comprehend with all the saints what is
the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ which
surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled
up to all the fullness of God.
Interview Mike and Allison Amick—Allison,
what would you consider to be your most
selfless act of serving the Lord and others?
Mike, what are two or three blessings you have
received as a result of serving the Lord by
serving others?
1 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol.
1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 345.
2November 3, 2024
CFBC…
“Discovering Jesus” (John’s Gospel)
I suppose you’ve already guessed the
foundational truth of today’s sermon—SERVE
THE LORD BY SERVING OTHERS! Grab one of
the “serve cards” from the seat back in front of
you. You will notice several opportunities to
serve. If you use the QR Code on the screen,
you will be introduced to even more chances to
actively serve the Lord by serving others.
John 13:2-4… During supper, the devil having
already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot,
the son of Simon, to betray Him, 3 Jesus,
knowing that the Father had given all things
into His hands, and that He had come forth
from God and was going back to God, 4 got up
from supper, and laid aside His garments; and
taking a towel, He girded Himself.
Verse 2— The attention shifts from Christ’s
love to the satanic darkness of Judas’s heart. In
this surreal scene in the upper room, the devil
had already planted within the heart of Judas
Iscariot a sinister desire to betray the dear Son
of God.
Verses 3-4— Having walked through the dirt
streets of Jerusalem to the upper room, the
3November 3, 2024
CFBC…
“Discovering Jesus” (John’s Gospel)
disciples’ feet would have been dirty. One of
the Twelve should have volunteered to wash
the feet of the others. But, according to Luke’s
gospel, they were too busy arguing about who
was greatest among them. They totally ignored
the Lord’s clear teaching…
Matthew 23:11… “But the greatest among you
shall be your servant.”
By stressing Jesus’ exaltation, John is about to
reveal the depth of His humility and love.
1. THE EXAMPLE OF SERVANTHOOD
John 13:5… Then He poured water into the
basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and to wipe them with the towel with which
He was girded.
The Gospel of John has been building to this
point, when the Lamb would offer His body and
His blood as the perfect, atoning sacrifice for
the sin of a broken, fallen world. For him to
stop at this tender moment to wash the feet of
his disciples is significant. This task was
4November 3, 2024
CFBC…
“Discovering Jesus” (John’s Gospel)
normally assigned to Gentile slaves. Jewish
slaves could not be forced to do this.
The idea of serving the Lord and serving people
should not have caught these guys by surprise.
It’s a common theme throughout the Old
Testament and the New Testament.
Psalm 100:2… Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Joshua 24:15…
“If it is disagreeable in your
sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves
today whom you will serve: whether the gods
which your fathers served which were beyond
the River, or the gods of the Amorites in
whose land you are living; but as for me and
my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Romans 12:10–11… Be devoted to one
another in brotherly love; give preference to
one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in
diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
Mark 10:45… “For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve, and to
give His life a ransom for many.”
5November 3, 2024
CFBC…
“Discovering Jesus” (John’s Gospel)
Romans 1:1… Paul, a bond-servant of Christ
Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the
gospel of God.
2 Peter 1:1… Simon Peter, a bond-servant and
apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have
received a faith of the same kind as ours, by
the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
Jesus is the perfect example of a servant. Now I
want you to notice…
2. THE EXPLANATION OF SERVANTHOOD
John 13:6–11… So He came to Simon Peter. He
said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” 7
Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do
you do not realize now, but you will
understand hereafter.” 8 Peter said to Him,
“Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus
answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have
no part with Me.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him,
“Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also
my hands and my head.” 10 Jesus said to him,
“He who has bathed needs only to wash his
feet, but is completely clean; and you are
clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew the
6November 3, 2024
CFBC…
“Discovering Jesus” (John’s Gospel)
one who was betraying Him; for this reason
He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
Peter was appalled and shocked. For a superior
to wash the feet of an inferior was unheard of
in either Jewish or Roman culture. He and the
rest of the disciples could not grasp the full
significance of this moment until Jesus had died
on the cross for their sins and had been
resurrected from the dead.
“Washing (bathing)” is a common biblical
metaphor for spiritual cleansing (Ezek. 36:24–
27; Titus 3:5; Heb. 10:22). Only those who
repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior receive forgiveness and the gift
of eternal life.
Peter missed the Lord’s point. Jesus explained
in greater detail,
“He who has bathed needs
only to wash his feet.” Spiritually speaking,
those who have already bathed (been
redeemed and saved) do not need to take
another bath every time their feet get dirty.
This refers to the sin believers commit. They
7November 3, 2024
CFBC…
“Discovering Jesus” (John’s Gospel)
simply need to wash their feet—to confess
their sins to the Lord.
1 John 1:9… If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
To be a true servant of our Lord and to be able
to serve others effectively we need to be
saved, to be clean before the Lord, and to be
filled with love and humility!
3. THE EXPECTATION OF SERVANTHOOD
The primary truth Jesus wanted the disciples to
learn and to implement was that of humble,
loving service.
John 13:12–20… So when He had washed their
feet, and taken His garments and reclined at
the table...

The book of Hebrews makes frequent comparisons between the old covenant

and the new covenant to demonstrate the vast superiority of the privileges and

benefits believers enjoy in the new covenant. Tonight we come to another one of

those powerful comparisons. This time the symbolism involves two mountains.

Mount Sinai is something like Jacob’s stew, while Mount Zion is like Esau’s

birthright. The birthright and its blessings were vastly better, but these were

future and thus “unseen.”

The revelation of God to Israel at Mount Sinai was seen, heard, smelled (the

smoke), and felt (the earthquakes). The law that was given set forth God’s

conditions for Israel’s enjoyment of an earthly kingdom. Judaism clung to Sinai,

Moses, and the Old Covenant because it seemed to offer a more immediate and

more visible kingdom.

Mount Zion, on the other hand, represents a spiritual city (“the heavenly

Jerusalem”) and thus a spiritual kingdom. Mount Zion represents all that

Christians hope for in the next life and that for which they are willing to make

great sacrifices in this life. Just as Esau had to make a choice between a bowl of

stew and God’s promised blessings, so the Jewish readers had to choose between

a present, earthly, Jewish kingdom (Mount Sinai) with its earthly temple, or God’s

promised eternal kingdom (Mount Zion).

This passage provides a fascinating and frightening warning of

God’s judgment. Every human being will be judged by the law or by

grace, by his own works or by Christ’s work, by the provisions of

Mount Sinai or by the provisions of Mount Zion.

God has two sets of books. One set contains the names of those who have

rejected the Lord Jesus Christ. The other set records the names of those who

have received the Lord Jesus Christ by faith.

1October 30, 2024

CFBC… Wednesday Night Study

Hebrews 12:18–19a… For you have not come to a mountain that can be

touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and

to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that

those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they

could not bear the command, “IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE

STONED.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I AM FULL OF FEAR and

trembling.”

Vs. 18—The word for requires the reader to look backward. It grounds what the

author is about to say in what he has just finished saying in verses 12–17. Esau

was a man who lacked faith in God, and thus he made his choices based on what

he could see and smell and taste. The mention of Esau and his rejection in the

previous verse leads the writer to speak of the judgments of the Old Testament

(covenant) as opposed to the blessings of the New Testament (covenant).

Vs. 18b-19a— The Old Covenant was associated with Mount Sinai because that

is where God spoke to Moses when that covenant was instituted. It was a

covenant of law, of judgment, and of fear. It said, “Do this, or do not do that, or

you will be judged.” In some cases it said, “Do not do this, or you will die.”1

Sinai was a physical mountain, and therefore was able to be touched and seen.

The Old Covenant was the foundational covenant which supplied the elementary

principles of God’s nature, will, and standards. It was therefore given and was to

be obeyed.

2 In preparation for giving the law, the Lord God enacted some clear

expectations (Exodus 19:1-17). The people were…

▪ to consecrate themselves by washing their clothes (v. 10)

▪ to abstain from sexual relations (v. 15)

▪ to avoid even touching the mountain (v. 12)

It was a unique day in human history. The demonstration of God’s power was

through the physical means of thunder, lightning, thick clouds, loud trumpet

sounds, fire, smoke, and violent trembling of the earth (16–18). These

remarkable signs were designed to convince the people of the absolute

unapproachableness of God. No defiled sinner could come near and witness His

holiness and live. 3

Hebrews 12:19b-21… For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched

and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the

blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those

who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could

not bear the command, “IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED.”

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I AM FULL OF FEAR and

trembling.”

The Jewish people gathered at Mt. Sinai were gripped with fear and sheer terror

(Exodus 20:18-21). Moses assured them that if they had the proper fear of God

and if they obeyed Him they would have no reason to be terrified. All of this was

intended to give them a desire to avoid sin at all costs!

The God of Sinai is truly a God to be feared, a God of judgment and of

punishment. The writer of Hebrews is saying to his readers, “If you go back to

Judaism, you are going back to a covenant of law, fear, judgment, and death.”4

2 Corinthians 3:7–8… But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on

stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently

at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8

how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?

John MacArthur stated…

At Sinai, sinful and unforgiven man stands before an infinitely holy and

perfectly just God. Guilty, vile, and undeserving of forgiveness, he has

nothing to expect from Sinai but God’s condemnation. The symbols of

Sinai are darkness, fire, trembling, and trumpets of judgment. For an

unforgiven sinner, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the

living God” (Heb. 10:31). There is good reason to fear at the foot of Sinai.

The purpose of the Law was to bring the people face to face with their

own sinfulness and to show them their need for the Savior. 5

Even Moses, to whom God had spoken through the fiery bush and through whom

He had challenged Pharaoh, could not stand at Sinai without fear.

Galatians 3:10… For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a

curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS

WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”

Partial obedience will not cut it with the one true God who is infinitely holy! That

brings us to another mountain, Mount Zion.

Hebrews 12:22–24… But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the

living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general

assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God,

the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to

Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which

speaks better than the blood of Abel.

When David conquered the Jebusites and placed the ark on Mount Zion, this

mountain was considered to be the earthly dwelling place of God.

Psalm 132:13–14… For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has de...

In other words, “Don’t give up now. A better day is coming. Look forward to that  in faith and you will have the encouragement and strength you need. Victory is  ahead!”4 
Dejection is one of the great strategies the evil one employs to  defeat God’s people and to stall God’s kingdom progress. 
When times are hard for us. We must not quit. We must keep on encouraging  other believers (Hebrews 10:23-25). Encouragement breeds encouragement!  
Look at verse 13—“Make straight paths for your feet.” The prevailing metaphor  is that of a race. It’s like the author is exhorting the people to “stay in your lane so you won’t be disqualified.” 
4John F. MacArthur Jr., Hebrews, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983),  402.
3 
October 23, 2024 
CFBC… Wednesday Night Study 
Proverbs 4:25–27… Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze  be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all  your ways will be established. 27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left;  Turn your foot from evil.  
Avoid distractions. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). Don’t get  careless as you run your race and never lose your will to win! We must be sure  that the way you live does not cause any unbeliever to reject the gospel or any  immature believer to lose heart and to backslide.  
2. PASSION 
Hebrews 12:14… Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without  which no one will see the Lord.  
Look at the word “pursue.” The writer is not saying, “Why don’t you give it a try?”  The verb here was used for the straining of the muscles and sinews of a horse  when he’s running or a hound in pursuit of a fox. 
We must pursue peace. Positionally, every believer has been blessed with  perfect peace—peace with God and the peace of God. What we have positionally  we must live out practically. When we think of peace with other people, we must  realize that it is a two-way street. 
Romans 12:18… If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace  with all men.  
James 3:13–18… Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him  show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But  if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be  arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which  comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where  jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.  17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,  reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without  hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace  by those who make peace. 

4 
October 23, 2024 
CFBC… Wednesday Night Study 
We are only responsible for our side of the peace process, but we cannot use  another person’s hostility as an excuse for r...

Collierville First Baptist Church
Collierville, TN

The battle of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38 and 39 is one of the most debated events in biblical prophecy…

§  Some approach these chapters as non-literal, having only an idealist or figurative meaning, without any historical reality. 

§  Others approach these chapters as having a literal fulfillment, being an invasion of some kind, but differ on its participants, location, and timing. 

Last week we moved to the deep end of the prophetic pool as we considered the war of Gog and Magog.  The Bible predicts an end-time alliance between Russia, Iran and Turkey (along with other countries) that will come against Israel in the last days leading up to the return of Jesus.  As they cover the land like a storm it will look like a slam dunk for the invading forces, that is until God steps in!  

We saw in last week’s study that God will not allow this invading force to prevail but will supernaturally wipe them out on the mountains of Israel.  This turn of events will literally leave an unbelieving world gasping for answers!  It will, the Bible says, be an event that will be used by God to make His name known again to both Israel and the nations of the world.

In Hebrew literature, it was common to give an account and then to repeat it to give emphasis and to add a few additional details.  Ezekiel 39:1-8 is a summary of what was described in Ezekiel 38.  

ÞChapter 38 concentrates on the danger this evil coalition presents to Israel.

ÞChapter 38 concentrates on the defeat of Gog.

ÞChapter 39 concentrates on the disposal of Gog.

ÞChapter 39 concentrates on the deliverance of God’s people.

Ezekiel 39:1–6… “And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal; 2 and I will turn you around, drive you on, take you up from the remotest parts of the north and bring you against the mountains of Israel. 3 “I will strike your bow from your left hand and dash down your arrows from your right hand. 4 “You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field. 5 “You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken,” declares the Lord God. 6 “And I will send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety; and they will know that I am the Lord. 

Verse 4 reveals some new information not found in Ezekiel 38.  It states that the armies associated with this evil coalition will fall on the Mountains of Israel and their bodies will be given to the birds and to the beasts to eat. This is similar to the events of Armageddon as described in Revelation 19:17-18.  Some have suggested that the Gog and Magog invasion is actually describing the war of Armageddon. While there are similarities there are also some major differences. The most notable is that this war of Gog and Magog will come at a time when Israel is living in peace and security, in unwalled villages. 

This certainly WILL NOT be the case at the end of
 the tribulation as the inhabitants of Israel has to
 flee for their lives at the mid-point of the tribulation.
(Matt 24:15-22, Rev 12:6,13-17)

For another new piece of information look at verse 6.  This verse speaks of a fire in Magog (Russia) itself.  Let’s piece together the scenario we’ve already been presented…

§  This massive army covers the mountains of Israel and bears down on the people of God.

§  God sends an earthquake that wipes out a large segment of the troops.

§  Chaos breaks out within the ranks of the remaining army, and they begin to kill each other. 

§  Next, fire and hail are poured out on what remains of the invading army. 

This is a picture of the total devastation of a vastly superior army that attacked a noticeably inferior nation.  Surely anyone in their right mind would assume that these events have the supernatural fingerprints of God all over them.  Well, if that weren’t enough, God unleashes His judgment on Magog (Russia) itself.  Fire falls from heaven.  All doubt as to the source of this judgment is removed.  This is the hand of Almighty God!

“Not only is the Russian and allied army destroyed in Israel, but the land of Russia itself is devastated by the raining of brimstone, causing much destruction to the nation itself. It will cause Russia to cease being a political force in world affairs.”  Arnold Fructenbaum, Footsteps of the Messiah, page 115.

I want you to see how verse 6 ends—“…And they will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.”  Even hard-hearted unbelievers will finally recognize that there is a sovereign, holy, and righteous God to whom everyone must answer to.  

Ezekiel 39:7–8… “My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. 8 “Behold, it is coming and it shall be done,” declares the Lord God. “That is the day of which I have spoken.”

The prophet Ezekiel records the heartbeat of God.  First, that the nations of the world will know that HE IS THE LORD.  Second, in verse 7, the prophet reveals God’s desire for the nation of Israel—"MY HOLY NAME I WILL MAKE KNOWN IN THE MIDST OF MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.”  This is the first time that it specifically says that God will make His holy name known to the nation of Israel and it will not be profaned anymore.  

When the reality of this invasion and God’s supernatural deliverance is witnessed, it will jolt Israel out of its current spiritual slumber. Though Israel was gathered to the land and lived in relative safety and prosperity, a true relationship with Yahweh had not yet been restored.  It will be after this battle. They will know, once and for all, that they are the Lord's people and they need to repent, uphold His name, and believe in their Lord God once again.  In verse 8, the living God solemnly affirmed this powerful prophecy that Ezekiel recorded.  Revival will one day come to Israel!

Ezekiel 39:9–10… “Then those who inhabit the cities of Israel will go out and make fires with the weapons and burn them, both shields and bucklers, bows and arrows, war clubs and spears, and for seven years they will make fires of them. 10 “They will not take wood from the field or gather firewood from the forests, for they will make fires with the weapons; and they will take the spoil of those who despoiled them and seize the plunder of those who plundered them,” declares the Lord God. 

The new information revealed here concerns the...

Before we get into the text tonight, I want to call your attention to the placement of these important prophetic chapters.  For instance, in Ezekiel 37, the vision of the dry bones coming to life pictures the rebirth and reconstitution of the nation of Israel.  In AD 70, they were driven out their land and disbursed throughout the world.  This prophecy about their rebirth as a nation was fulfilled on May 14, 1948.  Here's a fact we can’t overlook or explain away.  The Jews are the indigenous people of this tiny strip of land.  God promised it to Abraham and his descendants…

Genesis 15:18… On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.

Ezekiel 40-48 speaks of the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus shall rule and reign from Jerusalem after His return.

Squeezed in between Ezekiel 37 and Ezekiel 40-48 are these two prophetic chapters (38-39) which depict a massive war that will take place in the last days.  Last week we drilled down into the first part of chapter 38 to identify the nations that will come against Israel before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It seems that the three major players will be Russia, Turkey, and Iran.  The other nations that will join them will be Libya, Sudan (Ethiopia), and possibly Germany (Gomer).  The leader of this coalition of rabid antisemites will be Gog, who will likely be a Russian dictator or czar.  

I find it interesting that none of Israel’s neighboring nations are mentioned.  One possible explanation is that Psalm 83 pictures a war with the inner circle of nations that could result in the peaceful conditions that Israel experiences before the war of Gog and Magog.  

The nations involved in this end-time drama are moving into place even now.  Furthermore, we are witnessing a global resurgence of antisemitism.  According to University of Massachusetts professor of criminology Arlie Perliger… 

The U.S. is currently experiencing one of the most significant waves of antisemitism that it has ever seen. This wave predates the October 7 massacre that initiated the war between Israel and Hamas. In 2022, “Incidents of harassment rose 29% compared to 2021; acts of vandalism surged 51%; and physical assaults jumped 26% to an average of 10 reported incidents a day.” The week after Hamas terrorists attacked Israeli civilians, antisemitic incidents tripled compared to the same week in 2022.  

What’s the source of this incessant hatred of the Jewish people?  Ultimately, you can trace it back to Satan himself.  Consider these verses…

Revelation 12:1–6… A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. 4 And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. 5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. 

“The woman” represents the nation of Israel.  This nation has repeatedly failed to honor God through the ages.  However, she belongs to God and through this nation God has provided a Savior for the world.  Jesus was born in Israel to Jewish parents.  He grew up in Israel and his ministry was centered there.  He died on the cross in Jerusalem.  He was buried there, raised from the dead there, and ascended back to heaven from there.  One day He is coming again, and He is coming to Israel and will rule there for 1000 years.

Romans 9:3–5… For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. 

“The dragon” in Revelation 12 is none other than Satan.  His consuming passion is to exterminate the Jews.  This text speaks of the sufferings of the Jewish people.  John Stonestreet and Timothy Padgett observed, “The prince of darkness can never win his fight with heaven, but in defiant desperation, he incites people to commit evil and inflict pain, especially on those through whom God works in redemption.”  John Phillips wrote…

“No nation on earth has suffered so 
 severely and for so long as Israel.”

“The Son” is the Lord Jesus Christ.  He will rule the world!

As we approach Christmas, the continued existence of the Jewish people serves as a powerful witness to God’s power and to His faithfulness!

Ezekiel 38:10–12… ‘Thus says the Lord God, “It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan, 11 and you will say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates, 12 to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world.’ 

This section of Ezekiel focuses on the reasons for this invasion.  Given the increasing anti-Semitism in the world today, it is not hard to see these nations wanting to destroy Israel because of pure, demonically inspired hatred. Iran especially is famous for its constant decrees and threats of destroying the Jewish nation and driving them into the sea. 

Another reason is materialism.  That’s what verse 12 emphasizes—to capture spoil and to seize plunder.  The Lord indicates through this Scripture that a prerequisite for the War of Gog & Magog is that Israel will not only be rebuilt but will be thriving economically in the last days.  So, what could these riches possibly be?

ÞIsrael has discovered two massive gas fields in the last 10 years called 'Levia...

Without a doubt, this is the time to study Ezekiel 36-39.  Tonight, Jewish families are still dealing with the brutal and evil attack that took place on October 7th.  Many are mourning the deaths of loved ones.  Others are nursing physical and emotional wounds that have left them devastated.  The IDF has moved into Gaza searching for Hamas terrorists while at the same time giving innocent Palestinians multiple warnings and opportunities to move their families to safety.  Even now, Israel has agreed to a cease fire and Palestinian prisoners are being swapped for innocent captives.  

Russia, Iran, and Turkey seem to be forming a new axis of evil.  All three of them literally hate Israel.  In fact, a new wave of antisemitism is sweeping through America, Europe, and the world.  Israel has a target on its back and the Middle East appears to be a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment.

John F. Walvoord commented…

If Ezekiel 38-39 is studied carefully, it reveals a future invasion of the land of Israel by the armies of Russia (and its allies).  Though sometimes confused with the battle of Armageddon, which will be a world conflict before the second coming, this war will be distinct in its objectives, its character, and its outcome.  According to Scripture, the invaders will be completely destroyed.  Undoubtedly this will have an effect on the world power struggle in which Russia is now a major factor.  As this prophecy was written over 2500 years ago, the question remains whether this has ever been fulfilled in the past.  A search of history finds no such battle or outcome….Though it may leave some questions unanswered, the study of these two chapters supplies an important segment of prophecy as it relates to the end-time period leading up to the second coming of Christ.[1]

What did God reveal to Ezekiel about Israel and the nations in the last days?  Here are a few prophecies that we’ve already discovered and discussed.  

§  God’s plan for the nation of Israel in the last days

§  The restoration of the nation of Israel (May 14, 1948)

§  God will make His name known to Israel and the nations in the last days

§  The Gog and Magog war with Israel that is sure to come

This war will occur at some point between Israel becoming a nation again and the second coming of Jesus.  As we shall see, the nations involved in this war are seriously moving into postion right now.  Okay, let’s get into the text itself…

Ezekiel 38:1–2… And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.

These first six verses lay out the players in this end-time prophetic drama.  Let’s examine these unusual names and see if we can identify exactly who these players are in today’s terms…

Gog

In all likelihood, this is not a personal name.  It is more likely a title, like czar or prince.  In the future, we should not expect a man named Gog to suddenly rise to prominence as a world leader.  Whoever is leading Magog at the time of the invasion will be this 'Gog'. He is addressed several times in Ezekiel 38-39 such as 38:2, 38:14, 39:1.

Magog

First, let’s look at the Geographical Evidence.  What does the Scripture reveal about the location of this “land?”  

Ezekiel 38:14–15… “Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “On that day when My people Israel are living securely, will you not know it? 15 “You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army…”

A quick check of a world map shows that there are only 5 countries that are due north of Israel.  These include Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia.  The one farthest north is Russia.  This is the geographical evidence for assuming that the major player in this last days war will probably be Russia and the leader of Russia will be one spoken of here as Gog.  

Now, let’s take a close look at the Historical Evidence.  Let’s go back to the time of Noah and his descendants.

Genesis 10:1–2… Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons were born to them after the flood. 2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras. 

You can see from verse 2 that Magog, mentioned in Ezekiel, was the second son of Japheth, the son of Noah.  So, he was the grandson of Noah. You see Tubal and Meshech mentioned, they are the fifth and the sixth sons of Japheth.

§  Josephus, the first century AD historian and scholar, assures us that the descendants of Magog migrated to an area north of Palestine.  Even before Josephus wrote those words, the famous Greek historian spoke about this matter…

§  Herodotus in the fifth century BC, wrote that Meshech's descendants settled north of Palestine.  

§  Jerome, who was an early Church Father, a prominent leader from AD 345 to AD 420, declared that Magog was located north of the Caucasus Mountains—that's the Caucasian Mountains that we know are in Russia.

In my research, I discovered that Voltaire (an avowed atheist) was intrigued with solving this mystery of Gog and Magog.  Through his own research he became convinced that Magog was Russia, and this was 150 years before Russia rose to the level of being a major world power.  In The Philosophical Dictionary, he wrote…

There is a genealogical tree of events of the world….It is incontestable that the inhabitants of Gaul and Spain are descended from Gomer, and the Russians from Magog, his younger brother.  Voltaire, The Portable Voltaire (paperback), ed. Ben Ray Redman (New York: Viking Penguin, 1977), 101.

Here’s what’s fascinating.  Voltaire studied Noah’s genealogy.  He then compared it to the histories of these different continents to determine where each of Noah’s descendants finally settled.  Joel C. Rosenberg, Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle Eat Will Change Your Future. p. 84

Finally, let’s consider The Linguistic Evidence.  William Gesenius, the father of modern Hebrew lexicography, concluded that the Rosh to which Ezekiel refers is a proper name.  He also concluded that Rosh is “undoubtedly the Russians, who are mentioned by the Byzantine writers of the tenth century, under the name Ros, dwelling to the north of Taurus [in Turkey].”  William Gesenius, Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament (Boston, [n.d.]), quoted in Tim LaHaye, The Coming Peace in the Middle East (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984), 123.

Joel Rosenberg concluded…

Based ...

ONE KINGDOM UNDER ONE KING

Here’s a summary statement I want you to get firmly fixed in your mind and heart…

Ezekiel clearly envisioned the transformed land of Israel in chap. 36 and the national resurrection of Israel in chap. 37.[1]

1. Two Sticks Become One Stick

Ezekiel 37:15–17… The word of the Lord came again to me saying, 16 “And you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, ‘For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.’ 17 “Then join them for yourself one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand.”

(16) And you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, ‘For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions’— At God’s instruction, Ezekiel took two sticks. On one was writing identifying it with Judah and on the other was writing identifying it with Ephraim (that is, Israel). The sticks represented the kingdom of the northern ten tribes (Israel) and the kingdom of the southern two tribes (Judah).

§  In Ezekiel’s day the northern kingdom had been conquered and destroyed for some 150 years. Yet God still considered them a people, even though they were scattered among the nations.

§  “Incidentally, these same scriptures show the folly of the ten lost tribes.… The prophets all recognized the northern tribes as still in existence and knew of no such error as ‘lost’ tribes.” (Feinberg)

Isaiah 49:5–6… And now says the Lord, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the Lord, And My God is My strength), 6 He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” 

§  Joseph represents the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel.  The tribe of Ephraim was the largest and most influential tribe of the northern kingdom.  In fact, several times in the Old Testament the northern kingdom was called Ephraim.  Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom, was from the tribe of Ephraim. 

(17) Then join them for yourself one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand—God told Ezekiel to join the two sticks together so they would become one.

“Certainly no basis exists in this text for the strange Mormon teaching that the sticks refer to two scrolls. According to the convoluted interpretation of this cult, Ezekiel was prophesying that one day the Book of Mormon (the stick or scroll of Ephraim) would be joined to the Bible (the stick or scroll of Judah) to form the complete revelation of God.” (Smith)

This new section begins with a command to perform a symbolic action (vv 16–17) and continues with a question and answer format that in Ezekiel is used to create a hinge between a symbolic action and its meaning.

2. The Meaning Of The Joined Sticks

Ezekiel 37:18–20… “When the sons of your people speak to you saying, ‘Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?’ 19 say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.” ’ 20 “The sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes. 

(18) Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?— Ezekiel’s audience among the exiles were somewhat mystified by this acted-out prophecy. Perhaps they wondered what God would do with the northern kingdom (Joseph/Ephraim) some 150 years after their apparent extinction.

(19) Make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand—Here’s the meaning.  When God would ultimately restore the tribes of Israel, He would restore them all.  That which was previously divided in the days of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12-14) would be restored as one.  Douglas Stuart observed…

The north and the south of Israel had not been unified politically since the revolt of Jeroboam, after the death of Solomon in 931 b.c., nearly 350 years prior to this prophecy. Since 722 b.c., when the north lost its political identity and was annexed by the Assyrians, and especially since 586 b.c., when Judah had also fallen, the idea of a reunified Israel of the sort that David and Solomon had ruled over in the ninth century would have seemed ludicrous to any observer of international events in Ezekiel’s day.

This prophecy about the two kingdoms again becoming one and never ever again becoming divided would have provided immense assurance that the Lord was not through with His covenant people.  He does have a plan for Israel in the last days.

The vision of 37:1-14 and the graphic illustration of the two sticks being joined together points to other prophecies concerning the future of Israel and Judah. Hosea stated that the children of Israel and the children of Judah would be gathered together and would appoint for themselves one head. 

Hosea 1:11… And the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together, And they will appoint for themselves one leader, And they will go up from the land, For great will be the day of Jezreel. 

Zechariah spoke of a time when the Lord would strengthen the house of Judah and the house of Joseph and bring them back. 

Zechariah 10:6… “I will strengthen the house of Judah, And I will save the house of Joseph, And I will bring them back, Because I have had compassion on them; And they will be as though I had not rejected them, For I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.” 

Here is God’s unequivocal declaration that all the descendants of Jacob were heirs of the covenant. 

3. The Promise Of Restoration And Reunification

Ezekiel 37:21–23… “Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations and no longer be divided into two kingdoms. 23 “They will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God. 

(21)

cfbcfamily.org

Interesting things happen in cemeteries.  Tonight, I want us to take a trip with the prophet Ezekiel to a very unusual one to say the least.  Keep in mind that He is writing to God’s covenant people who are in exile in Babylon.  They’ve been there for several years, and they are incredibly discouraged even bordering on sheer hopelessness (37:11).  

Is there a future for Israel?  Some say, “No, for all these OT prophecies must be applied spiritually to the church.”  Wait.  These prophecies are too detailed to be “spiritualized” and applied only to the church today.  Jesus taught a future for the Jews (Luke 22:29-30); so did Paul (Rom. 11); and so did John (Rev. 7:4-8, 14:1-5).[1]

Ezekiel 37 easily may be divided into two sections by the introductory phrases “the hand of the Lord was upon me” in v. 1 and “the word of the Lord came again to me” in v. 15.  This chapter illustrates Israel’s failed past, frustrated present, and future hope.  With that in mind, let’s focus on an unusual vision that has often been referred to as…

1. The Valley of Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:1–3… The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” 

(1) The hand of the LORD came upon me: Ezekiel’s remarkable prophetic experience is not specifically called a vision, but it certainly has all the markings of a vision.  Notice how the Scripture emphasizes that “He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD.”  

(1) In the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones: This was truly Death Valley; the floor of the valley was covered with human bones. The people represented by these bones were Jews and they were not only dead; they were also disgraced.  (In the thinking of ancient Israel, an unburied corpse with exposed remains was a shocking disgrace to the dead.) 

(2) They were very dry: These dry bones are not only dead; they have been dead for a long time.  When something or someone has been dead for so long, we give up hope that it will ever live again.  It was a picture of utter defeat and desolation.  What a vivid description of the Jewish people! [2]

(3) Can these bones live?  Here’s the crux of the issue.  Can a dead and impotent nation in exile and under the control of a godless nation be resurrected and become a living, thriving kingdom once again?

One might hope that a recently dead corpse might somehow be resuscitated.  However, no one hopes that scattered, detached bones might live.  Ezekiel responded to God’s question the only way he could, saying “O Lord GOD, You know.”

§  Ezekiel had no hope for the bones, but he did have hope in God.
§  Ezekiel did not presume to know what God wanted to do with the bones.
§  Ezekiel was confident that God did know.

2. Speaking Life To Dead Bones.

Ezekiel 37:4–6… Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.’ 5 “Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. 6 ‘I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” 

(4) Prophesy to these bones: In the previous verse, Ezekiel deliberately left the matter with God, to His power and wisdom.  In turn, God gave the prophet something to do. God commanded him to speak, to prophesy, to preach to the dry, dead bones.  By all outward observation this was a vain and foolish act.

(4) O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD: Ezekiel could only preach this message by faith—faith in God’s ability to do the impossible.  knew God’s word had supernatural power.

(5) Behold I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life: God promised to fill the dry bones with breath—the breath of life. 

(6) I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive: God promised to raise the Jewish people to life again.  This was not the creation of life from nothing; it was the restoration of life to something that had been long dead.

The word for “breath” means wind or spirit.  Here is a promise that God would one day give the Holy Spirit to His covenant people under the blessings of the New Covenant…

Ezekiel 36:24–28… “For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. 25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. 28 “You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God. 

Refer to Acts 2:1-4.

3. Dead Bones Assemble Together

Ezekiel 37:7–8… So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. 

(7) So I prophesied as I was commanded: If Ezekiel had any doubts, he put them away and did what God commanded him to do. To human perception this proclamation of the word of God was foolish, yet Ezekiel obeyed.

(7) And as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone: As Ezekiel prophesied, there was first a noise among the bones, a rattling.  As he continued, the bones began to assemble themselves into skeletons.

(8) And I looked, and behold, a rattling; sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them: After the bones were assembled, muscles and tissue came upon the bones. The bones were full of activity, yet still did not yet have the breath of life in them. The reviving of the dry bones clearly happened in stages.

§  Stirring of the bones.
§  Assembly of the bones.
§  Sinews and flesh upon the bones.
§  Skin upon the tissues covering the bones.
§  Awaiting the breath o...

Collierville, TN

Why is there so much antisemitism in the world?   

Zechariah 12:1–3… The burden of the word of the Lord concerning Israel. Thus declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, 2 “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. 3 “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.  

After discussing Israel’s sinful past (vv. 16–21), Ezekiel laid out the nation’s future restoration.1  I want you to see that his presentation is divided into three parts (verses 22,33,37) and each of them is introduced with these words—“Thus says the Lord God.”  

This passage unfolds the process and the benefits of the restoration of Israel as a nation. However, one thought dominates this portion of prophetic Scripture—God’s primary motivation is to vindicate His holy name before the watching nations.  God refuses to allow the nations to interpret the desolation of Israel’s land and the dispersion of the Jewish people as any type of reflection on His inability to execute His sovereignty and to accomplish His ultimate purposes for His chosen people. 

God is speaking to a people he has blessed in remarkable ways, yet a people who have spurned him.  He accuses them of defiling the land (Ezek. 36:17). This they did by their conduct and their action of ignoring God.2 

Ezekiel 36:16–21… Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 17 “Son of man, when the house of Israel was living in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds; their way before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. 18 “Therefore I poured out My wrath on them for the blood which they had shed on the land, because they had defiled it with their idols. 19 “Also I scattered them among the nations and they were dispersed throughout the lands. According to their ways and their deeds I judged them. 20 “When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord; yet they have come out of His land.’ 21 “But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.  

Before dealing with Israel’s restoration and future cleansing, Ezekiel reminded the exiles of their past sin which ushered in their judgment in the first place.  The Jewish people were guilty of polluting God’s land and profaning God’s name! 

The polluting and profaning were like a menstrual discharge that rendered a woman ceremonially unclean and defiled everything she touched (Lev. 15:19–23).3  These verses clarify what the Scripture means here… 

Ezekiel 16:36… Thus says the Lord God, “Because your lewdness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered through your harlotries with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your sons which you gave to idols.”  

Ezekiel 23:37–39… “For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. Thus they have committed adultery with their idols and even caused their sons, whom they bore to Me, to pass through the fire to them as food. 38 “Again, they have done this to Me: they have defiled My sanctuary on the same day and have profaned My sabbaths. 39 “For when they had slaughtered their children for their idols, they entered My sanctuary on the same day to profane it; and lo, thus they did within My house.”