Ezekiel 37:26

37:15-28 This emblem was to show the people, that the Lord would unite Judah and Israel. Christ is the true David, Israel's King of old; and those whom he makes willing in the day of his power, he makes to walk in his judgments, and to keep his statutes. Events yet to come will further explain this prophecy. Nothing has more hindered the success of the gospel than divisions. Let us study to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; let us seek for Divine grace to keep us from detestable things; and let us pray that all nations may be obedient and happy subjects of the Son of David, that the Lord may be our God, and we may be his people for evermore.

Ezekiel 37:26-28 . I will make a covenant of peace with them — I will grant them the blessing of peace and prosperity. Or rather, the words are to be understood in a spiritual sense, that God will be reconciled to them through Christ, and admit them into that covenant of peace of which Christ is the Mediator, and therefore is called our peace, Ephesians 2:14 ; and then the following words, It shall be an everlasting covenant with them, may fitly be explained of the gospel, being such a covenant as shall never be abolished, or give way to any new dispensation. It is certain that the expression, a covenant of peace, could not at all agree with the ancient covenant, for when was there an age, half an age, twenty years peace in Israel? The whole history of the Jewish nation is nothing more than a recital of wars and continual divisions. And if we understand it of peace between God and his people, where shall we find this people faithfully attached to the Lord during one century only? We have only to open the books of the prophets, and the other sacred records, to remark their infidelities and perpetual rebellions against God. This expression, therefore, can only respect the new covenant, whereof Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace, is the mediator, and who gives us that true peace which surpasses all conceptions: see Calmet.

And I will set my sanctuary in the midst of them — I will set up a spiritual, glorious temple and worship among them; for evermore — Never to be altered or abolished on earth, but to be consummated in heaven. My tabernacle also shall be with them — The tabernacle wherein I will show my presence among them, and my protection over them. God’s placing first his tabernacle, and then his temple among the Jews, was a pledge and token both of his presence and protection. And we may understand him as promising here new and more valuable tokens of his presence among them, by the graces of his Holy Spirit, and the efficacy of his word and ordinances, if not also some extraordinary appearances of the divine majesty. I will be their God, and they shall be my people — By my grace I will make them holy, as the people of a holy God; and I will make them happy, as the people of the ever-blessed God. And the heathen shall know that I do sanctify Israel — The conversion of the Jewish nation, and their being restored to a state of favour and acceptance with God, will be a work of providence, taken notice of by the heathen themselves, who shall join themselves to the Jews, as the church of God and temple of truth: see note on Ezekiel 36:23 .

(26) Multiply them. —In accordance with what has gone before, comes this promise of the great increase of the spiritual Israel. Even John the Baptist had said, “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham”; but our Lord more emphatically taught that the true children of Abraham were those who followed Him ( John 8:39 , &c.); while His Apostle St. Paul explains repeatedly, and at length, that Abraham was the father of all those who walk in his faith, whether they be of the circumcision or the uncircumcision ( Romans 4:12 , &c.); and again, “that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham” ( Galatians 3:7 ). Thus was fulfilled the promise that he should be “the father of many nations” ( Genesis 17:5 , interpreted in Romans 4:17 ), and in the same way also was to be fulfilled the present promise of the multiplication of the seed of Israel.

Verses 26, 27. - With the people thus gathered (ver. 21), united (ver. 22), purified (ver. 23), and established under the rule of Messiah (ver. 25), Jehovah makes a covenant of peace (see on Ezekiel 34:25; and comp. Psalm 89:3 ), further characterized as an everlasting covenant ; or, covenant of eternity (see on Ezekiel 16:60; and comp. Genesis 17:7 ; Isaiah 55:3 ; Jeremiah 32:40 ); which guarantees the continuance between him and them of undying friendship, conjoined with the bestowment on his part and the enjoyment on theirs of the highest social and religious blessings. First, national existence and secure possession of the soil. I will place (literally, give ) them , either to their land, as in Ezekiel 17:22 (Smend), or to be a nation (Keil), or perhaps both (Kliefoth). Next, steady increase of population - I will multiply them (comp. Ezekiel 36:37 ; Leviticus 26:9 ). Thirdly, perpetual residence of Jehovah amongst them, I will set (or, give ) my sanctuary ( mikdashi , conveying the idea of sanctity) in the midst of them for evermore (scrap. Leviticus 26:11 ); my tabernacle ( mishkani , the idea being that of residence or dwelling) also shall be with them ; or, over them - the figure being derived from the elevated site of the temple, which overhung the city ( Psalm 69:29 ), and intended to suggest the idea of Jehovah's protecting grace.

That this promise was in part implemented by the erection of the second temple in the days of Zerubbabel may be conceded, and also that Ezekiel himself may have looked forward to a literal restoration of the sanctuary; but its highest realization must be sought for, first in the Incarnation ( John 1:14 ), next in God's inhabitation of the Church through the Spirit ( 2 Corinthians 6:16 ), and finally in his tabernacling with redeemed men in the heavenly Jerusalem ( Revelation 21:3, 22 ). The last blessing specified is the intimate communion of God with his people, and of them with him - Yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. This, which formed the kernel of the old covenant with Israel ( Leviticus 26:12 ), became the essence of the new covenant with the Israel of the restoration ( Ezekiel 11:20 ; Ezekiel 36:28 ; Jeremiah 30:22 ; Jeremiah 31:33 ; Jeremiah 32:38 ; Zechariah 8:8 ; Zechariah 13:9 ), but only attained to complete realization in the relation of Christian believers to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ( 2 Corinthians 6:16 ). Ezekiel 37:26

I will make; as it was my kindness to your fathers to give them, so shall it be to you to give you, my blessings on the sure and inviolable security of a covenant. A covenant of peace; comprehending all blessings that may give a people content, and render them happy; peace with God in heaven? peace in your conscience with yourselves, with your brethren in the church, with the beasts of the field, and with your enemies, who shall for fear, though not of love, keep peace with you, while your ways please your God. An everlasting covenant; the spiritual part is absolutely endless, the external part shall be for a long time, as it is always to be interpreted where temporals seem promised for ever. My sanctuary; both temple and worship; not such as is typical of the Messiah to come, but such as may assert he is come, such as bring to the knowledge, love, and obedience of him. I will set up a spiritually glorious temple and worship amidst you. For evermore ; never to be altered or abolished on earth, but to be consummated in heaven.

26. covenant of peace—better than the old legal covenant, because an unchangeable covenant of grace (Eze 34:25; Isa 55:3; Jer 32:40). I will place them—set them in an established position; no longer unsettled as heretofore. my sanctuary—the temple of God; spiritual in the heart of all true followers of Messiah (2Co 6:16); and, in some literal sense, in the restored Israel (Eze 40:1-44:31).