God’s Promise of Restoration

Ezekiel’s prophecy of restoration begins with God’s promise to the mountains of Israel, saying,

“I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before” (Ezekiel 36:11).

God promised to bring the scattered Israelites back to their homeland, make the land fruitful and prosperous, and rebuild the ruined cities.

And notice the reason why…

The Restoration of the Land of Israel

One of the most remarkable fulfillments of God’s promise in Ezekiel 36 is the restoration of the land of Israel.

For centuries, the land was barren and desolate, a testament to the destruction and exile of the Jewish people.

However, in modern times, the land has been restored to its former glory, and the Jewish people have returned to their ancestral homeland.

The modern state of Israel, established in 1948, is a testament to God’s faithfulness to His promise of restoration.

The once barren land is now fertile and prosperous, with advanced agricultural techniques and innovative technologies that have made Israel a leading agricultural nation.

The cities that were once in ruins have been rebuilt and are thriving, with bustling economies and cultural activities that reflect the diversity of the Jewish people.

The Ingathering of the Exiles

Another remarkable fulfillment of God’s promise in Ezekiel 36 is the ingathering of the exiles.

The Jewish people were scattered across the globe after the destruction of the Second Temple, and for centuries they endured persecution and oppression.

However, in modern times, they have returned to their homeland, fulfilling the promise of God in Ezekiel 36.

Since the establishment of the modern state of Israel, millions of Jews from all over the world have made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel).

This is a testimony to God’s faithfulness to His promise of restoration, as He has brought the scattered Jews back to their homeland.

Moreover, the ingathering of the exiles has led to the revival of the Hebrew language and the Jewish culture, which were once in danger of disappearing.

Transformation of the Israelites

Ezekiel also prophesied about the transformation of the Israelites, saying that they would be cleansed from their sins and given a new heart and spirit.

He says,

“I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezekiel 36:25-26).

And just prophesied, the restored land has been accompanied more recently by the transformation of the Israelites that Ezekiel also prophesied about. In fact, careful observation reveals that this has also been fulfilled in modern times.

How so?

A Spiritual Transformation

A growing number of Jewish people have undergone a spiritual transformation, as they have returned to their God and their faith.

Many of them have recognized יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah and have embraced Him as their Lord and Savior.

Organizations like the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America have served the growing Messianic Jewish community since 1915.

The messianic.org website provides a worldwide list of Messianic organizations and congregations that serve the Jewish community.

Looking for a list of Messianic ministries in Israel?

No problem.

Kehila.org is a faith-based online community portal for friends of the Messianic/Christian Community (Kehila) in Israel.

A Bridge Between Communities

This Messianic Jewish movement is a growing movement of Jews who have recognized Jesus as their Messiah. As such, it is a testimony to the power of God and a bridge between communities.

This is why the Bible says the following about one of the most significant (yet sometimes overlooked) objectives that Jesus accomplished through the cross…

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility” (The Apostle Paul | Ephesians 2:14-16).

So this revival of the Messianic Jewish movement is another testimony to God’s faithfulness to His promise of transformation.

The Restored Land came with a Restored Language: The Hebrew Language

The restored land comes with a restored language—the Hebrew language—which is actually one of the most miraculous restorations of all.

In fact, the story of the restored land is concurrent with the restored language because both of these restorations were immediately understood by at least one man to be interdependent upon each another.

One night in 1875, for example, a young Jewish man had a vision…

“Suddenly, as if lightning struck, an incandescent light radiated before my eyes, and I was transported to the passage of the Jordan, where the children of Israel crossed into the Promised Land, and a great voice rang in my ears: “The Return of the People To The Language And The Land.” (Eliezer Ben-Yehuda)

Messianic Jews also point to the revival of the Hebrew language, the flourishing of Israeli agriculture and industry, and the return of Jews from all over the world as evidence of the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecies.

They believe that this restoration is a sign of God’s faithfulness to his promises and a prelude to the ultimate restoration of Israel under the Messiah’s reign.

Meanwhile, the passion of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda’s life has since ignited into a legacy not only in the form of the restored land’s language but also in a growing number of Hebrew language-learning programs and schools or ulpanim.

Hebrew Ulpanim

An ulpan (OOL-PAHN)—or plural: ulpanim (ool-pah-NEEM)—is an institute or school for intensive study of Hebrew, especially by immigrants to Israel.

“Founded in 1949, Ulpan Etzion offers five months of intensive Hebrew study for olim (new immigrants) from all over the world who hold college degrees. In a typical program year, Ulpan Etzion provides Hebrew-language study and accommodation to around 1,600 immigrant men and women aged 22-35, from more than 30 countries.”

In addition to Ulpan Etzion, there is a growing number of intensive Hebrew-language learning opportunities—both online and in-person.

For example, Ulpan.com uses a research-based method that fast-tracks students to fluency.

Ulpan.com focuses on “the short list of vocabulary that makes up 90% of communication, presented in real-life scenarios and according to a smart schedule of repetitions that primes your brain for maximum long-term recall.”

Many Christian Zionists see a deep spiritual connection between the Hebrew language and the Jewish people.

They believe that learning Hebrew can help them better understand the Bible and connect with the Jewish roots of their faith.

There is growing interest among Christian Zionists to study and learn the Hebrew language.

Overall, Christian Zionism sees the Jewish people and the land of Israel as central to God’s plan of redemption for the world. Therefore, Christian Zionists believe that supporting Israel is not only a political imperative but also a religious duty.

The growing interest in learning Hebrew among Christian Zionists is a testament to the deep spiritual connections that many Christians feel with the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

Conclusion

Ezekiel 36 is a powerful chapter that speaks to the faithfulness of God and His plan for the restoration of Israel.

The fulfillment of these promises in modern times and reminds us that God keeps His promises.

The restoration of the land of Israel, the ingathering of the exiles, and the transformation of the Israelites are all testimonies to God’s faithfulness.

They remind us that He has a plan for His chosen people.