Ezekiel 36:16-25
Israel’s Exile Profaned Yahweh’s Holy Name (36:17) – Yahweh’s address begins with a reminder of why it had been necessary for Him to expel Israel from its own land and scatter it among the heathen. The reason is summarized as the de lement of the land through the simile of the de lement or uncleanness caused by menstruation (Lev 15:19-33). While Ezekiel has frequently spoken of the people de ling themselves (4:14; 14:11; 20:7, 18), the temple (5:11; 9:7; 23:28), Yahweh’s holy name (43:7-8), and a neighbor’s wife (18:6, 11, 15; 22:11; 23:17; 33:26), this is the only place he speaks of the land itself as de led. A land could be de led by pagan invasion (Ps 79:1) or by the misbehavior of its occupants. Lev 18:25-28 describes the land as de led by the Caananites, and Lev 20:22 warns that the land would “vomit out” Israel if they de led it by ceremonial or moral iniquity. Such “abominations” that require expulsion include homosexuality, incest, bestiality, child sacri ce, and occult practices (Lev 18 and 20). Sexual unchastity, unexpiated bloodshed, overnight exposure of an executed criminal, touching a carcass, experiencing a bodily discharge, and idolatry pollute the land and require separation, segregation, and ritual cleansing. 36:18 – All moral and liturgical o enses are sins against the First Commandment. Idolatry includes unclean rites and liturgical abuses. The outpouring of blood implies murder, a moral o ense. In the simile of menstruation, the woman would be unclean for seven days and not approached (Lev 15:19-30). In the same way, the land is left fallow for a time. Remember, there is no sharp distinction between the land, the people, the liturgical life, the daily life, and the temple. To profane one is to profane them all. De ling the land, worshiping falsely, and living unethically is to profane God’s name. And they took their profanity of God’s name with them into exile “among the nations where they go.” Yahweh Saves His People for the Sake of His Holy Name (36:22-23) – Yahweh’s grace for His people is not motivated by any merit or virtue in them (Ps 115:1) but by grace alone (AC and AP IV). The people have long forfeited any claims to Yahweh’s compassion or obligation to help them. Since the fall, mankind is “not able not to sin” (non posse non peccare, AC and Ap II,…