Ezekiel 36:28 - Exposition

Ye shall dwell in the land . As the Jews who returned from Babylon did not permanently dwell in the land, but were again ejected from it, the promise contained in these words must be viewed as having been conditional on the realization of the moral and spiritual purity above described. If, therefore, it be aroused that inasmuch as this promise must be fulfilled ( 2 Corinthians 1:20 ; Hebrews 10:23 ), the Jews must yet be restored to Palestine, the reply is that their return can only take place when they have been converted to Christianity; so that the whole promise must be regarded as receiving its highest fulfillment in the experiences of the Church of Christ. That this view is correct is vouched for by the fact that the words, Ye shall be my people and I will be your God (comp. Ezekiel 11:20 : Jeremiah 7:23 ; Jeremiah 11:4 ; Jeremiah 30:22 ), descriptive of the covenant relationship in which Jehovah stood towards Israel ( Exodus 19:5 ; Le Exodus 26:12 ; Deuteronomy 26:17 , Deuteronomy 26:18 ), have been chosen by New Testament writers to set forth the relationship of God towards the Christian Church, first here on earth ( 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 ), and afterwards in the heavenly Jerusalem ( Revelation 21:3 ).