16 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying , 17 "Son of man , when the house of Israel was living in their own land , they defiled it by their ways and their deeds ; their way before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity . 18 "Therefore I poured out My wrath on them for the blood which they had shed on the land , because they had defiled it with their idols . 19 "Also I scattered them among the nations and they were dispersed throughout the lands . According to their ways and their deeds I judged them. 20 "When they came to the nations where e they went , they profaned My holy name , because it was said of them, 'These are the people of the Lord ; yet they have come out of His land .' 21 "But I had concern for My holy name , which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where e they went . 22 "Therefore say to the house of Israel , 'Thus says the Lord GOD , "It is not for your sake , O house of Israel , that I am about to act , but for My holy name , which you have profaned among the nations where e you went . 23 "I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations , which you have profaned in their midst . Then the nations will know that I am the Lord ," declares the Lord GOD , "when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight . 24 "For I will take you from the nations , gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 36:16-24
Commentary on Ezekiel 36:16-24
(Read Ezekiel 36:16-24)
The restoration of that people, being typical of our redemption by Christ, shows that the end aimed at in our salvation is the glory of God. The sin of a people defiles their land; renders it abominable to God, and uncomfortable to themselves. God's holy name is his great name; his holiness is his greatness, nor does any thing else make a man truly great.