Renewing Scripture: Ezekiel – Part 2

November 29, 2023 Becky

Fall is a great time to focus on renewing our hearts and minds and the Major Prophets are a great place to find some renewing scripture!

The fourth of five books that make up the Major Prophets is Ezekiel. If you missed my Renewing Scripture posts for the other books make sure to check them out HERE!

I’m sharing some of the renewing scripture the Holy Spirit has been stirring my heart with as I read through each of the Major Prophets found in the Old Testament.

Ezekiel is a super deep, intense, drama-filled book packed with renewing scripture. When reading through this book we gain insight into God’s strength and holiness. It shows off God’s wonder-working skills in a powerful way. It also helps encourage and strengthen us as we continue to be faithful and put our hope in the ONE TRUE GOD.

Renewing Scripture: Ezekiel – Part 2

Time to fill up! Below you’ll find 10 scripture passages found in chapters 16-33 of Ezekiel.

Ezekiel lived what he preached, and we can walk in faith holding fast to the scripture found in this book!

Take your time reading through each one. Focus on God’s greatness. Fill your heart with His renewing words! Enjoy the journey – write them out, journal them, memorize them, dig in deeper if you want!

As you fill up, remember, God is always there and gives us the power to overcome sin. So, open your heart to receive God’s renewing strength, repent the sins that weigh heavy on your heart, and return to the One who loves you beyond measure.

It’s all about A HEART FILLED, friends!

Side Note – I’ve referenced all the verses using the NLT version, but I love exploring different translations so I encourage you to find your favorite translation for each. Delight in your search!

(1) Ezekiel 16:63

Repentance is freeing! When we turn back to God in true, genuine repentance He forgives and forgets! A promise He keeps over and over again. We are undeserving, but He is a gracious and loving Father.

“You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Ezekiel 16:63 (NLT)

(2) Ezekiel 18:30-32

This is how we renew fully! By accepting what we’ve done, repenting, and turning back to our Sovereign Lord. If there are things in our lives pulling us away from God we have to let them go. It’s only in turning back that we fully live the life God has in store for us. AND, friends, it’s more than we can ever imagine. So chase after Him! It’s where we find God’s purpose for our lives.

“(30)Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! (31)Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? (32)I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!“
Ezekiel 18:30-32 (NLT)

(3) Ezekiel 20:12, 19

The Sabbath day is a time for rest and renewal! We must remember to keep it holy. Give God His time! Honoring His commands helps us to refocus our thoughts and keep Him fresh on our minds and in our hearts.

“(12)And I gave them My Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy. (19)’I am the Lord your God,’ I told them. ‘Follow my decrees, pay attention to my regulations, and keep my Sabbath days holy, for they are a sign to remind you that I am the Lord your God.’“
Ezekiel 20:12, 19 (NLT)

(4) Ezekiel 20:43-44

Conviction hurts! But, it’s part of the renewing process. Once you repent, letting it all out, it really does free you. Know that God is there, with open arms and a forgiving heart. His forgiveness means something and when we genuinely lay our sins out before Him we can begin to crawl out of the pit we’ve made for ourselves. With repentance comes a revived heart full of hope!

“(43)You will look back on all the ways you defiled yourselves and will hate yourselves because of the evil you have done. (44)You will know that I am the Lord, O people of Israel, when I have honored my name by treating you mercifully in spite of your wickedness. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Ezekiel 20:43-44 (NLT)

(5) Ezekiel 24:14

This is HARD stuff, friends. The Major Prophets get down to the root of it all! It’s not easy hearing words like this, but God knows we need to know. God doesn’t want His children straying, but we do! We are not perfect, we have free will, and we make wrong choices at times. But, God brings us back. That’s where I find renewing strength to keep enduring through it all. God is working behind the scenes and He knows where our hearts are. God will cleanse us. The process isn’t always easy though. Trust Him! Renewal is a life-long journey!

“I, the Lord, have spoken! The time has come, and I won’t hold back. I will not change my mind, and I will have no pity on you. You will be judged on the basis of all your wicked actions, says the Sovereign Lord.“
Ezekiel 24:14 (NLT)

(6) Ezekiel 28:17

To gain the whole context of this verse I think it’s important to read through chapters 26 & 27. It’s a warning against pride. Pride leads to destruction! Pride is the opposite of what God calls us to be. The warnings we read about in these chapters are HUGE RED FLAGS! It’s time to get our humble on and keep moving forward in humility, friends.

“Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings.”
Ezekiel 28:17 (NLT)

(7) Ezekiel 28:25-26

Give praise to God! He will restore all His people.

“(25)This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel will again live in their own land, the land I gave my servant Jacob. For I will gather them from the distant lands where I have scattered them. I will reveal to the nations of the world my holiness among my people. (26)They will live safely in Israel and build homes and plant vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the Lord their God.”
Ezekiel 28:25-26 (NLT)

(8) Ezekiel 29:21

I’m awe-struck with this verse! Read it through a few times and find the renewing beauty in it.

“And the day will come when I will cause the ancient glory of Israel to revive, and then, Ezekiel, your words will be respected. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Ezekiel 29:21 (NLT)

(9) Ezekiel 33:11

WOW! Just, wow! This verse shows us just how amazingly huge God’s heart is. All creation is His. We were all created in His image, and God longs for everyone to repent.

“As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?”
Ezekiel 33:11 (NLT)

(10) Ezekiel 33:31

Yikes! Outward appearances can be deceiving. It’s all starts inward. Where’s your hearts, friends?

“So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.“
Ezekiel 33:31-33 (NLT)

Reading through Ezekiel was a journey! There’s a lot of metaphors to work through and God had Ezekiel lay on the drama thick with each and every story we find in this book.

Ezekiel is best known for the DRY BONES story found in chapter 37, but chapters 16-33 also include some pretty epic stories worth reading through. Chapter 16 includes the story of Jerusalem being compared to an unfaithful wife. The imagery used in portraying this message is intense and made to catch the attention of those around! After chapter 16 a few other stories and riddles are laid out before us and then – BAM! – chapter 24 hits hard! I have no words! Ezekiel showed us what faith, obedience, and trust in God Almighty looks like as he allowed God to use him for this object lesson. I’m telling you, friends, each story, riddle and object lesson presented in this book of the Bible served a purpose and God chose Ezekiel for the job!

There’s renewing treasure to be found in each and every wild and crazy story found in Ezekiel, so open your Bible and check them out for yourself.

The book of Ezekiel is filled with so much renewing goodness. I only scratched the surface with this list. If you haven’t read through the entire book, make sure to take time for that soon and check out my other posts in my Renewing Scripture series – the book of Daniel is coming soon!