Therefore say: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’” “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done,” declares the Sovereign Lord.

A summary of the backstory here is that Ezekiel was a prophet of the Lord. Throughout the first ten chapters, he prophesied of the judgment of the Lord upon the Jews. Some of this was through words; at other times he acted out, like in a play, scenes which symbolized what God’s judgment would look like. God then took Ezekiel to different parts of the city to observe the evil being conducted by those Jews who were in power.

They had taken up pagan practices, worshipped other gods — offering incense to them, and were not living by the heart of the laws God had called them to. They had killed many innocent people, and they plotted evil on a daily basis. As Ezekiel saw God’s judgment inflicted on the Jews, he said this: “Now as I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell face-down and cried out in a loud voice, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Will you completely destroy the remnant of Israel?” (‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬)

And we now study God’s reply. God made a promise to Ezekiel out of a cry-for-mercy-prayer he made to God. And this promise is still standing to this day, for those who choose to act as God describes. God promised to gather his people back again. And he defines his people not as all Jews here, but as the ones who “will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols.” He also promised that they will be his people and he will be their God. This is a love relationship, not just one of keeping laws. In order to gain this promise, they had to turn from their idols and follow and keep his decrees and commands. It is not just a technical “keep”, but also a following of the intent of God’s heart.

So how does this apply today? We have idols in society that we cling to today as well: convenience, pleasure, and entertainment can be idols. Wealth, fame, popularity, or worldly success can take over God’s position in our hearts. As a society, we can hoard resources and isolate ourselves from having to notice or touch the oppressed, the hurting, the broken, and the needy. Instead of actively loving others in life on the front lines, we can play it safe behind the closed doors of our homes, churches, and vehicles. Instead of studying his word and obeying his commands and the heart of his ways and his will, we can just claim ignorance.

God wants for us to have hearts that are real. He says he will give us a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone. When we worship the dead things of this world, our heart becomes like them — cold and dead like a stone. When we worship the source of life, God, our heart becomes like him — fleshy, active and full of blood-pumping life.

Who do I worship with my time, my money, my actions, and my priorities in life? To whom or what do I dedicate the most to? When I honestly answer these questions, I will be able to determine the type of heart I have.

We also see here that the faithful Ezekiel had a heart for his people, even though they sinned. He cared about them and this prompted his prayer to God for mercy. And this is why God honored him and loved him as his prophet.

Lord, give me a heart that is continuously seeking after you. No breaks. No cutouts for unrighteous pleasures. No compartments for evil ways or selfish ambitions. As I grow in you and your ways, may I continue to offer up those things that may take the place of you. May I repent and turn, and be healed. And may I stay focused on being one who steps out to find the oppressed, the hurting, the broken, and the needy! For this is worship in action, this is proving my allegiance to you — doing your work!