What is the meaning of Ezekiel 36:2? This is what the Lord GOD says • The verse opens with God’s own declaration, underscoring His absolute authority—Ezekiel is simply the mouthpiece (cf. Ezekiel 36:5; Isaiah 1:2; Jeremiah 1:4–5). • Every promise, warning, and comfort that follows rests on the unchanging character of the LORD who “does not lie or change His mind” (1 Samuel 15:29). • Because the statement is divine, Israel can be certain that the coming response to her enemies will happen just as spoken (Numbers 23:19). Because the enemy has said of you • “The enemy” points to the surrounding nations—especially Edom and those addressed in the previous chapter (Ezekiel 35:2–5). • Their words reveal their heart: hostility toward God’s people is hostility toward God Himself (Genesis 12:3; Zechariah 2:8). • Past taunts from these nations show a consistent pattern of gloating over Israel’s setbacks (Obadiah 1:10–13; Psalm 83:4). ‘Aha!’ • This exclamation drips with scorn and delight at Israel’s apparent downfall (compare Psalm 35:21; Ezekiel 25:3; Micah 7:8). • God hears every sneer. What seems like harmless mockery to men is, to Him, moral evidence that demands righteous response (Psalm 94:9–10). The ancient heights have become our possession • “Ancient heights” refers to Israel’s hill country—land given by God through an everlasting covenant (Genesis 17:8; Deuteronomy 32:13). • The enemies assume Israel’s removal grants them permanent title, but the land is ultimately the LORD’s, entrusted to Israel (Leviticus 25:23; Ezekiel 36:1). • Their boast is short-lived; God promises to judge those who “seized My land” (Ezekiel 36:5) and to restore His people physically to those very hills (Amos 9:14–15). summary Ezekiel 36:2 records the taunt of Israel’s foes, who gloat that they now own the cherished heights of the land. By highlighting the enemy’s arrogant claim, God sets the stage to vindicate His holiness, defend His covenant with Israel, and reclaim the land for His people. The verse reminds us that every boast against God’s plans is heard, remembered, and overturned by the sovereign LORD. |
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