What responsibilities accompany the promise of "possession" in Ezekiel 36:12? Setting the Scene: The Promise Made “Yes, I will cause men—My people Israel—to walk upon you and possess you, and you will be their inheritance. You will never again deprive them of their children.” (Ezekiel 36:12) Unpacking “Possess You” To “possess” in Scripture is never passive. It is an active, covenant-charged word that carries duties side-by-side with privileges (cf. Deuteronomy 11:31). God gives the land; His people must live in a way that honors the Giver. Responsibility 1: Walk in Obedience • “I will cause men…to walk upon you.” Walking implies daily conduct. • Ezekiel 36:27 reinforces it: “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.” • The land is to be enjoyed only as Israel orders life by God’s commands (Leviticus 26:3-5). Responsibility 2: Steward a Sacred Inheritance • “You will be their inheritance.” Inheritance speaks of stewardship, not exploitation. • Deuteronomy 8:10-11 warns: after enjoying the land’s bounty, Israel must “bless the LORD” and “not forget” His commands. • The land is to showcase God’s holiness (Ezekiel 36:22-23); misusing it profanes His name. Responsibility 3: Cultivate Life, Not Loss • “You will never again deprive them of their children.” The promise assumes proactive care for future generations. • Israel must build communities that protect life (Numbers 35:33-34) and teach the next generation God’s ways (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). • The land is to become a place where families flourish, reversing past judgments. Responsibility 4: Guard Against Former Defilements • Earlier sin “defiled” the land (Ezekiel 36:17-18). Possessing it now requires rejecting idolatry and injustice. • Leviticus 18:24-28 warns that moral pollution can again cause the land to “vomit” its inhabitants. • Continuous repentance keeps the promise intact. Living It Out Today • Recognize every blessing as a trust from God. • Align daily choices with His revealed Word. • Cultivate environments—homes, churches, communities—where the next generation can thrive spiritually and physically. • Steward resources with gratitude, resisting the drift toward self-centered use. Possession is gift; responsibility is gratitude in action. |
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