Renewing Scripture: Ezekiel – Part 3
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 3
Time to fill up! Below you’ll find 10 scripture passages found in chapters 34-48 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 34:11-16
“(11)For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I Myself will search and find My sheep. (12)I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find My sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. (13)I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. (14)Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. (15)I myself will tend My sheep and give them a place to lie down in PEACE, says the Sovereign Lord. (16)I will search for My lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes – feed them justice!”
Ezekiel 34:11-16 (NLT)
(2) Ezekiel 36:25-27
“(25)Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. (26)And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (27)And I will put My Spirit in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful to obey My regulations.“
Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NLT)
(3) Ezekiel 37:14
“I will put my Spirit in you and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!”
Ezekiel 37:14 (NLT)
(4) Ezekiel 37:23
“They will never again pollute themselves with their idols and vile images and rebellion, for I will save them from their sinful backsliding. I will cleanse them. They they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.”
Ezekiel 37:23 (NLT)
(5) Ezekiel 39:25-29
“(25)So now, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will end the captivity of my people, I will have mercy on all Israel, for I jealously guard My holy reputation! (26)They will accept responsibility for their past shame and unfaithfulness after they come home to live in peace in their land, with no one to bother them. (27)When I bring them home from the lands of their enemies, I will display My holiness among them for all the nations to see. (28)Then my people will know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again. I will leave none of my people behind. (29)And I will never again turn My face from them, for I will pour out My Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!“
Ezekiel 39:25-29 (NLT)
(6) Ezekiel 43:12a
“And this is the basic law of the Temple: ABSOLUTE HOLINESS!“
Ezekiel 43:12a (NLT)
(7) Ezekiel 45:1
“When you divide the land among the tribes of Israel, you must set aside a section for the Lord as His holy portion. This piece of land will be 8 1/3 miles long and 6 2/3 miles wide. The entire area will be HOLY.“
Ezekiel 45:1 (NLT)
(8) Ezekiel 46:9
“But when the people come in through the north gateway to worship the Lord during the religious festivals, they must leave by the south gateway. And those who entered through the south gateway must leave by the north gateway. They must never leave by the same gateway they came in, but must always use the opposite gateway.“
Ezekiel 46:9 (NLT)
(9) Ezekiel 47:9
“There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.“
Ezekiel 47:9 (NLT)
(10) Ezekiel 48:35b
“And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord Is There’!“
Ezekiel 48:35b (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.
In chapters 34-48 we run across the story that Ezekiel is best known for – DEM DRY BONES! I referenced to this story found in chapter 37 a few times in the verses I listed above. There’s just something amazing about this story. I have so many fond memories of going through this story with my own kids as they were younger. God’s power, strength, and abundant love shines through when you read through Ezekiel 37:1-14. I also want to point out chapters 40-48, as there’s a lot going on in them. As you read through these chapters, I encourage you to focus on God’s PERFECT plan of restoration for His people. Zoom out and fill your heart knowing God is holy and perfect. He is there and His people are not forgotten!
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!
This song popped up in my playlist while writing this post and I had to share because GOD IS IN THIS STORY – He’s in EVERY SINGLE DETAIL! Fill your heart and be renewed!
