Connect Ezekiel 36:11 with other restoration promises in the Old Testament. Setting the Scene “ I will multiply the people and animals upon you, and they will become fruitful and numerous. I will resettle you as you were before; I will treat you better than at first. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 36:11) Main Themes in Ezekiel 36:11 • Multiplication of people and livestock • Resettlement in the land • An upgrade—“better than at first” • A deeper knowledge of the LORD as covenant-keeper Roots in the Torah • Deuteronomy 30:3-5 – “He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.” – Same trio: regathering, multiplication, prosperity. • Leviticus 26:9 – “I will look favorably on you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will confirm My covenant with you.” – Divine favor expressed through fruitfulness echoes Ezekiel’s pledge. Parallels in Jeremiah • Jeremiah 30:18-19 – Restoration of ruined city, multiplication without decrease, honor without belittling. • Jeremiah 32:37-41 – Gathering, safety, everlasting covenant, God rejoicing to do good—“better than at first” writ large. • Jeremiah 33:6-9 – Healing, abundant peace and truth, nations stunned by the goodness poured out. Hosea’s Picture of Healing and Fruitfulness • Hosea 14:4-7 – God heals backsliding, Israel blossoms like a lily, roots like cedars, grain and vines flourish. – The language of botanical fruitfulness matches Ezekiel’s promise for livestock and crops. Joel and Amos on Agricultural Overflow • Joel 2:25-26 – Years devoured by locusts repaid, plenty to eat, shame removed. • Amos 9:14-15 – Ruined cities rebuilt, vineyards planted, never uprooted again. – Both stress permanent, tangible restoration in the land. Zephaniah, Zechariah, and Haggai: “Better Than Before” • Zephaniah 3:17-20 – Rejoicing, renown, and praise “before all peoples of the earth.” • Zechariah 8:11-12 – “Now I will not treat the remnant of this people as I did in the past… the vine will yield its fruit.” • Haggai 2:9 – “The glory of this latter house will be greater than the former.” – Each prophet highlights an improved future surpassing the past, mirroring Ezekiel 36:11. Key Threads Tying the Promises Together • Land – Physical regathering and secure dwelling (Ezekiel 36:24; Deuteronomy 30:5; Amos 9:15). • Life – Explosive increase of people, herds, crops (Ezekiel 36:11; Jeremiah 30:19; Joel 2:25-26). • Love – Covenant faithfulness leading to intimate knowledge of the LORD (Ezekiel 36:11; Jeremiah 31:34; Hosea 2:19-20). • Lift – A “better” state than before, displaying God’s restorative power (Ezekiel 36:11; Haggai 2:9; Zechariah 8:11-12). Living Implications The same God who pledged tangible restoration to Israel still delights to redeem, multiply, and upgrade what sin and exile have scarred. Every fulfilled promise showcases His unwavering reliability and invites wholehearted trust in His ongoing, unbreakable covenant purposes. |
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