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  COMMENTARY ON EZEKIEL 36-39
  by Chuck Smith
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Shall we turn in our Bibles now to Ezekiel 36 as we continue our study
in this very fascinating prophecy.

In chapter 36 Ezekiel is commanded to prophesy to the mountains of
Israel. Now this is the second time he prophesied to the mountains of
Israel. The first time was back in chapter 6, and he was prophesying the
desolations that would come to the mountains of Israel and to the cities
because they had built the high places on the mountains and worshipped
the false images, idols, and gods. And thus he spoke about the mountains
being made desolate. That prophecy was fulfilled and the mountains of
Israel remained desolate for nineteen centuries. Now again he prophesies
to the mountains of Israel, but this prophecy has to do with a work of
God in making now the desolate mountains inhabited. And so there is
quite a contrast between this prophecy in chapter 36 and the prophecy in
chapter 6 where the desolation of the mountains was described and now
the restoration from the desolation.

Say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you,
Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession: Therefore
prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made you
desolate, and they have swallowed you up on every side, that you might
be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and are taken up in the
lips of talkers, and are the infamy of the people: Therefore, ye
mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord
GOD to the mountains and to the hills, and to the rivers and to the
valleys, to the desolate wastes and to the cities that are forsaken,
which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are
round about; Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my
jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, against all
of Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the
joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a
prey. Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, say to the
mountains and to the hills, to the rivers and to the valleys, Thus saith
the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury,
because you have borne the shame of the heathen: Therefore thus saith
the Lord GOD; I have lifted up my hand, Surely the heathen that are
round about you, shall bear their shame. But ye, O mountains (Eze
36:2-8)

It took him quite a while to get to the message to the mountains, but he
finally made it.

But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and
yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.
For behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be
tilled and sown: And I will multiply men upon you, all of the house of
Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the
wastes shall be builded: And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and
they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your
old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginning: and ye
shall know that I am the LORD (Eze 36:8-11).

And so the restoration of the nation Israel is here being prophesied.
And if you go over to Israel today, surely you can see the fulfillment
of these prophecies as the waste places are now inhabited. As they have
built so many cities, as they have planted so many beautiful orchards
and cultivated the fields, and this land that laid wasted and desolate
for many centuries has now been reclaimed. The marshy valleys have been
drained and have become very fertile, fruitful fields. And so, it\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/chuck-smith/commentary-on-ezekiel-36-39/
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