Old Testament: Eze 36.37–38

To read the Bible in a year, read Ezekiel 36–37 on November 26, In the year of our Lord 2022

By Don Ruhl 

When the Lord sent Babylon against Judah and Assyria against Israel, He devastated the land so that few of the children of Israel remained in the land. However, once they had served enough time in captivity, He would return them to their land and increase their number when they asked for it, 

“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.’”

– Ezekiel 36.37–38 

The Lord wanted Israel to increase and He wanted Israel to want to increase. Therefore, He would wait until they inquired of Him and He would do it, but it had to be about holiness, not merely just for number’s sake or to grow strong militarily. 

Questions: 

• We plant and water, but who gives the increase? (See 1 Corinthians 3.6.)
• Have you prayed for the increase of your congregation?