Ezekiel 39:25-29 - Homiletics

The glorious restoration.

I. THE PEOPLE WHO ENJOY IT .

1. The people of God . This is promised for the Jews, the ancient people of God. God does not forget his people in their captivity any more than he forgot them in their Egyptian bondage. Now, we know that God regards the whole human race as one family ( Acts 17:26 ). Though many reject him and many know him not, he cares for all. As all belong by right to their heavenly Father, so the perfect restoration in Christ is now offered to all men.

2. Sinners . This gracious promise is not only for the unfortunate—like the Hebrews in Egypt; it is for the guilty who were driven into captivity on account of their own wickedness. This fact shows

II. THE MEANS BY WHICH IT IS BROUGHT ABOUT .

1. God ' s saving work . God brought back the captivity of Israel. If Nebuchadnezzar was his servant for punishment, Cyrus was even his "Messiah" for restoration ( Isaiah 45:1 ). The great restoration of souls is God's work. He does not wait for men to regenerate their own characters, and then consent to give them a welcome home. He himself effects the regeneration. It was God's thought to send his Son to be the Savior of the world. This Divine action springs

God is most glorified in saving his people. Righteousness is most honored not by the punishment of sin, but by the cure of it.

2. On condition of confession . "And they shall take upon them their shame, and all their trespass which they have committed against me." The restored Jews will own the guilt of the sin that drove them into captivity. Thus the chastisement will produce its bitter but wholesome fruit. God only forgives sin on condition of man's confession ( 1 John 1:9 ). When the penitent takes the shame of his sin God removes the guilt of it.

III. THE BLESSINGS WHICH IT BRINGS .

1. Return to the old home and its privileges . The Jews came back to Palestine from their captivity. Redeemed man is restored to the true human inheritance which he has lost by sin. Science, art, literature, social and domestic life, etc; will be enjoyed at their best when men are regenerated in heart. The earth will never yield her choicest increase until the people of God inherit it. But with these secular advantages, and far above them, is restoration to the spiritual home—to the kingdom of heaven here, to the glory of heaven hereafter.

2. Peace and security . "When they dwell safely in their land, and none make them afraid." This suggests a striking contrast to the former position, when Israel was harassed by enemies on every side—not the least being those of their own household in the long feud between the northern and the southern kingdoms. That feud was now ended forever. Still, the subsequent time was scarcely one of solid security. We must look to the spiritual restoration for the perfect accomplishment of the happy vision. The redeemed people of God enjoy peace and safety. Christ said, "My peace I give unto you" ( John 14:27 ).

3. Closer communion with God . Then they shall know God better than before, with the knowledge of experience, and enjoy the never-failing light of his countenance. This is the Christian's highest privilege.