Ezekiel 20:33-49

20:40-42 | God looked beyond the coming day of judgment and destruction to a future time when He would gather the remnant of Israel out from the peoples and from all the countries where He had scattered them and plant them once more in the Promised Land. He would do this, not because they had earned it, but because He is a gracious God who will never renege on any of His promises or covenants.

20:44 | When God says that He deals with Israel for My name’s sake, He means that He interacts with the people on the basis of who He is – a holy, righteous, loving, sovereign, patient, gracious, wise, and omnipotent God – not on the basis of who they are or according to their wicked ways or corrupt doings (Mal. 3:6). God shows us grace and showers us with His mercy because of His character, not because of our behavior. It is because of His unchanging character that we can place our trust in Him.

20:49 | Upon hearing parables, the audience could miss the significance and think: Well, it’s just a story, or simply not know how to respond. Ezekiel would therefore explain the parable – something Jesus also did.