A New Heart: A Commentary on the Book of Ezekiel

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“There is no apparent motivation; it is a completely gratuitous act on God’s part. Restoration when it comes will be the result of a free decision of God. Israel (the dry bones) can only be passive recipients of God’s power and benevolence.” (Page 168)

“The assumption of the prophet as the vision begins is that this disintegration is irreversible” (Page 165)

“All of us must declare ourselves responsible for the sins of our society. If society is evil, unjust, racist, oppressive, we cannot exculpate ourselves from its collective stigma by dissociating ourselves from its bad features. That we have remained in this society testifies to our adherence to it. On the other hand, there is sometimes no other escape for the righteous person in an evil society than a disclaimer and (generally ineffectual) protest. It is to these circumstances that the prophet addresses himself, with an emphasis that pertains more to the postexilic Israel of ‘the restoration’ than it does to the Israel of the past, first a United Kingdom and then the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah.” (Page 99)

“The only way matters could change was for God to act. Moreover, the prophet did not see the prospect of divine action as just a vague possibility. He was certain that God’s movement for Israel’s benefit was imminent. Once the restoration will take place, Israel and the nations will know that Israel’s God is Lord (37:14).” (Page 168)

“Ezekiel wants to prove to his fellow exiles that it is the Lord who is about to bring Judah back to life. Here the Lord follows the same pattern as in the creation of Adam.” (Page 167)