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 .
25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean ; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols . 26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh . 27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes , and you will be careful to observe My ordinances .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 36:22-27
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.
Commentary on Ezekiel 36:25-38
(Read Ezekiel 36:25-38)
Water is an emblem of the cleansing our polluted souls from sin. But no water can do more than take away the filth of the flesh. Water seems in general the sacramental sign of the sanctifying influences of the Holy Ghost; yet this is always connected with the atoning blood of Christ. When the latter is applied by faith to the conscience, to cleanse it from evil works, the former is always applied to the powers of the soul, to purify it from the pollution of sin. All that have an interest in the new covenant, have a new heart and a new spirit, in order to their walking in newness of life. God would give a heart of flesh, a soft and tender heart, complying with his holy will. Renewing grace works as great a change in the soul, as the turning a dead stone into living flesh. God will put his Spirit within, as a Teacher, Guide, and Sanctifier. The promise of God's grace to fit us for our duty, should quicken our constant care and endeavour to do our duty. These are promises to be pleaded by, and will be fulfilled to, all true believers in every age.