Ezequiel 37
John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
Ezequiel 37
MacArthur writes that Ezekiel 37:11-13 is "the key to the interpretation of the vision. It is the resurrection and salvation of Israel." Ezekiel is describing "salvation" of the nation and salvation of individual Jews who receive Messiah as Redeemer. Henry
Ezequiel 37
MacArthur summarizes this section... God made 3 promises that summarized His future plans for Israel: 1) restoration, Ezek 37:21; 2) unification, Ezek 37:22; and 3) purification, Ezek 37:23. These promises bring to fulfillment: 1) the Abrahamic Covenant (cf. Ge 12); 2) the Davidic Covenant (2Sa 7:14-16); and 3) the New Covenant (cf. Jer 31:31-34), respectively. But - Always take note of this conjunction of contrast, which marks a change of direction. Pause and ponder what is being contrasted, why, who is involved, etc. In the present context "but" marks a change in direction from sin to the Savior, a change which is motivated by Jehovah's covenant love (His hesed/chesed/heced) and His all sufficient grace to "circumcise" a rebellious, hard heart (See Circumcision Of the Heart). As an aside, it is not enough to change the environment, for the heart of every problem is the problem of the heart (all are born in Adam with his "virus" - the Sin principle or propensity = Ro 5:12-note - and because this propensity to sin we commit individual acts of sin against God). God must change the hearts of people so that they want to love Him and do His will. (cp Ro 2:28,29-note) That is why God announced a New Covenant (of grace) to replace the Old Covenant (See New Covenant in the Old Testament) under which the Jews had lived since the days of Moses, a covenant (of Law) that could specify the conduct God desired but not change their character. And they will be My people, and I will be their God: - This is covenant language! Ultimately it will be fulfilled when all Israel receive and believe in the New Covenant. This will not occur until Messiah returns (Second Coming). The exact phrase occurs in the following passages... Jeremiah 24:7 'And I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart. (Context = Jer 24:5, 6 - This prophecy will be fulfilled at the Second Coming) Comment: Whole heart means their entire lives will be dedicated to Jehovah and they will manifest an absolute commitment to His covenant. Israel will experience spiritual regeneration and not merely national restoration. Only God can create new life within the nation Israel and within every individual who turns in faith and trust to the God of the New Covenant. Zechariah 8:7 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; 8 and I will bring them back, and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem, and they will be My people and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.' Other passages that have the same idea of God being their God - (See also Ex 6:7 Ge 17:8 Ex 29:45 Lev 26:45, Jer 31:33, 32:38 Ezek 11:20, 14:11, 34:24, 37:23, 37:27, Zec 8:8, 2Co 6:16, Heb 8:10) Zechariah prophesies... And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace (unmerited favor) and of supplication (a humbly and earnest entreaty or asking), so that (term of conclusion) they will look on Me Whom they have pierced (Messiah); and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born. In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. (Zechariah 12:10-11) Ezekiel 37:24 "My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them. My servant David will be king over them - Who does God say will be king over the reunited kingdom of Israel? Notice that it does not say the "son of David" but "My servant David." Many commentaries see this as a reference to David's "greater Son." (See comments below by Walvoord). If one adheres to the literal Interpretation of Scripture where possible (and it is possible in this passage), then this reference seems to be describing a "literal" David. How could this occur since David is dead? Is anything too difficult for the Lord? Clearly the answer is "No!" God can and will raise David. The timing of the resurrection of the Old Testament saints is somewhat more problematic, but it would be most reasonable to assume that David will be raised before the Millennial reign of Christ. And if we compare this interpretation with Scriptures such as Revelation 19:16-note which identifies Christ as the "King of kings," it is not all difficult to see how this passage dovetails with Ezekiel 37:24. Yes, David is a king over Israel, but Christ is King over David. Luke 1:32-33 does state that "the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever" which raises a question regarding the above interpretation. Respected expositors such as John MacArthur feel Ezekiel is referring to the "Son of David" and not to David... This leader (cf. Ezek 37:24, 25) is the Messiah-King-Shepherd often promised for David’s dynasty (Ezek 34:23, 24; Jer 23:5-8; 30:9; Da 2:35, 45; 7:13, 14, 27), who is the one king of Zec 14:9 (cf. Mt 25:31, 34, 40). Dr John Walvoord has some insights that might help guide your interpretation... A legitimate problem has arisen in the interpretation of the reign of Christ concerning how this relates to various prophecies which speak of David as King in the millennial kingdom. References to this concept are found in Jeremiah 30:9; Jeremiah 33:15-17; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Hosea 3:5, with more indirect references in Isaiah 55:3-4 and Amos 9:11. Several solutions have been offered to resolve this problem. One of the most common is to take references to David as indicating Christ Himself as the greater David. Keil and Peters, as well as Ironside, support this view (cf. Karl Friedrich Keil, The Twelve Minor Prophets, I, 72; Peters, The Theocratic Kingdom, III, 572; and Ironside, Ezekiel the Prophet, p. 262). There are obvious difficulties, however, in this point of view in that Christ is never referred to as David elsewhere in the Bible though He is frequently called the Son of David, Seed of David, etc. A second view held by some interpreters is that the reference in some passages is to a future literal son of David who will sit on the Davidic throne, but who is not to be identified as Christ. Passages such as Jeremiah 33:15-21-note are cited in support of this view. From many standpoints, however, this is less desirable than the first view. As many have indicated, no one today aside from Christ could prove His kingly lineage among the people of Israel. It is most unlikely that there should be another person closely related to Christ who is a descendant of David other than David himself. A third solution of the problem is more simple and seemingly in keeping with the prophetic references throughout Scripture, namely, that by David is meant the resurrected David who shares with Christ as prince some of the governmental duties of the millennial kingdom. It should be clear from many Scriptures that the reign of Christ is shared with others. As Newell has written: "David is not the son of David. Christ, as Son of David, will be King; and David, His father after the flesh, will be prince, during the Millennium." In the light of many prophecies which promise saints the privilege of reigning with Christ, it would seem most logical that David the king raised from the dead should be given a place of prominence in the Davidic kingdom of the millennial reign of Christ. As indicated in Revelation 19:16, Christ is "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." This would certainly imply other rulers (cf. Isa. 32:1; Ezek 45:8-9; Matt. 19:28; Luke 19:12-27-note). (The Doctrine of the Millennium — Part I The Righteous Government of the Millennium) Ezekiel 37:25 "They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons' sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever. They - Who is "they?" Keeping the context in mind and reading the text literally, the "they" clearly refers to those Jews who enter the New Covenant by grace through faith. The land - Again this refers to the land promised to Abraham and the nation of Israel. The land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived - How could this passage be interpreted as anything but literal? Israel will live on it. Period. David My servant will be their prince forever - In case you missed the previous note - Who? David. He does not say "Son of David." If he had, clearly it would have been a reference to Messiah. But God says "David." David will be resurrected at the end of this age (just like all the OT saints, see Da 12:14), and he will rule over Israel in the Millennium and then into eternity in the New Jerusalem, which is forever! Even excellent exegetes like Dr W A Criswell (who I greatly respect) somehow fail to interpret this text in its plain, literal sense - Criswell comments on this passage as if it refers to the Messiah "Certain positive characteristics of the reign of the Messiah are presented: (1) He shall rule forever (v. 25); (2) He shall rule by an everlasting covenant (v. 26); (3) God shall multiply His subjects (v. 26); (4) God will reestablish His sanctuary (v. 26); and (5) the heathen shall know that God has set Israel apart (v. 28)." While other passages clearly support the validity of Criswell's statements, they are not the conclusion that a natural reading of this specific text (Ezekiel 37:25) and comparison with other OT passages will allow. For example notice what Jeremiah says (and see Dr Walvoord's preceding comment). Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s (THE NATION OF ISRAEL'S) distress, But he (ISRAEL) will be saved from it (IT = THE "TIME OF JACOB'S DISTRESS" SYNONYMOUS WITH WHAT JESUS CALLED THE GREAT TRIBULATION; NOTE THAT 2/3'S OF ISRAEL WILL PERISH AND 1/3 WILL COME THROUGH THE FIRE OF THE 3.5 YEAR TRIBULATION - READ Zechariah 13:8-9-note). 8 ‘It shall come about on that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘that I will break his yoke from off their (ISRAEL'S) neck and will tear off their bonds; and strangers will no longer make them (ISRAEL) their slaves. 9 ‘But they shall serve the LORD their God AND David their king, whom I will raise up for them. (Jer 30:7-9-note) Henry