34 "The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by. 35 "They will say , 'This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden ; and the waste , desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited .' 36 "Then the nations that are left round about you will know that I, the Lord , have rebuilt the ruined places and planted that which was desolate ; I, the Lord , have spoken and will do it."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 36:34-36
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.