Title: God's Dwelling
Ezekiel 37:24-28 God's dwelling place Theme:18. covenant. 2008. 11. 9.
◎ Introduction
: Ezekiel's act of becoming one with the two sticks ultimately has a spiritual meaning.
※ It is “the restoration of spiritual Israel,” that is, the restoration of the church, the community of the chosen people.
※ Although the church is going through many difficulties in the world, God will completely restore the church, the community of those whom God has redeemed and sanctified.
1. The king who will rule as one Israel (24-25)
2. The covenant of Israel that became one and the relationship with God (26-28)
1. The king who will rule as one Israel (24-25)
※ A king will be established in the restored Israel, and under his rule, the people will keep God's ordinances.
① There will be one shepherd for all.
② The people obey God's ordinances and obey the ordinances.
③ You will live forever in the Promised Land.
④ David will be king forever.
※ Who will be the king David who will rule over restored Israel?
① In fact, David achieved a powerful unified state by ruling Israel around 1010~970 B.C.
② Does this mean that the king who died 400 years ago will be resurrected and rule over the unified Israel?
* It is not the historical King David, but the Old Testament shadow of the coming Messiah.
* The Messiah who will come after the lineage of David is Jesus. (2 Samuel 7:12-16)
③ As a good shepherd-like king, he will rule over spiritually restored Israel, that is, the New Testament church forever.
④ The restoration of spiritual Israel has already begun with the coming of Jesus, the Messiah,
Even now, it is continuously being accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus.
It will be fully realized at the second coming of Jesus.
2. The covenant of Israel that became one and the relationship with God (26-28)
One). Covenant to keep Israel (26)
※ The basis for maintaining the restored Israel as one is the new covenant, the “covenant of peace.”
* The old covenant of Mount Sinai was broken because of Israel's transgression, and for the sake of eternal peace by restoring the broken and divided Israel, “The covenant of peace has been given.
※ God's covenant
① Covenant of Grace: Covenant established by God's grace
② New Covenant: A newly established covenant (Jeremiah 31:31)
③ Eternal Covenant: Covenant that will last forever (Isaiah 54:10)
※ The “covenant of peace” (Ezekiel 34:25-31) is the only peace that was established by God’s grace despite Israel’s lack of merit.
The covenant allowed Israel to be restored by God and to enjoy peace.
① Evil beasts removed (Ezekiel 34:25)
② Living in peace in the wilderness and in the bushes (Ezekiel 34:25)
③ The rain shifts from time to time, that is, a blessed rainy season (Ezekiel 34:26)
④ The yoke is broken and saved (Ezekiel 34:27)
⑤ dwell in peace (Ezekiel 34:28)
⑥ Possessing fertile soil (29)
※ Why does God establish the covenant of peace?
① Because Israel is God's people.
② Because God is the God of Israel.
2). Israel's relationship with God as one
※ Israel, which has been newly restored on the basis of the covenant of peace, will now also have a new relationship with God.
Restoring your relationship with God
① “I built my sanctuary in it” God's sanctuary, that is, God's dwelling place, was built in the midst of Israel.
This means that God is with you.
* In Ezekiel 40-43, we can see the construction of an “eternal temple” to place his dwelling place among the restored Israel.
② “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” This refers to the establishment of the kingdom of God.
* The kingdom of the world will pass away, but the kingdom of God, in which God Himself rules over His people, will be established forever.
* The purpose of the new covenant is to establish a kingdom of God that will last forever, in which Israel becomes God's people and God becomes the God of Israel.